About Us

Our Story

My name is Josie Gimple, and I am the founder of Pawsitive Steps Canine Rehab. I have been a Physical Therapist for 15 years. In April 2022, my life took an unexpected turn when my beloved 16 year old Miniature Schnauzer, Meena, began to experience seizures. While medication was used to help control the seizures, she began exhibiting some neurological deficits and weakness. I have always been neuro focused in my physical therapy practice, so I began implementing some of my human based PT knowledge and techniques. Over the course of several months her balance, mobility, and strength all improved. I began to wonder if there was such a thing as canine physical therapy. I soon found the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and enrolled in their program to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). Just as I was beginning the program, Meena's health issues compounded and 10 months after her seizures began, she crossed over the rainbow bridge. Meena was my first patient and will always be the inspiration and driving force to provide the best possible care to my canine patients.

Meet The Team

Josie Gimple, DPT, ATP/SMS, MHA, CCRT

OWNER/THERAPIST

Meena (RIP)

Our Inspiration

Bailey

Office Manager/Guard Dog

Our Partnership with Waterloo Animal Hospital

This fall, we learned that some insurance policies will not allow for a CCRTs to perform rehab and that it must be performed by a vet or a vet must be on-site for supervision. I was saddened by the fact that I could not help every dog and reach out to Dr. Park at Waterloo Animal Hospital. Dr. Park has been Bailey's vet for the majority of her life (over 10 years) and is someone I know and trust. Her and Dr. Richter are co-owners of Waterloo Animal Hospital and have been strong supporters of our business. It was an easy decision on all our parts to house our clinic at their vet clinic. They will not be treating your pet or taking over their care. They are there to provide proper supervision as directed by insurance.

We love them and their staff and am happy to call it "home".

As of now, the clinic is on Thursdays when the vet clinic is open. Clinic is by appointment only, but from 12-6pm.

You can check out their website here.

A CCRT is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. This is a post-graduate program open to physical therapists and veterinarians who are interested in specializing in rehabilitation for animals.

This program is through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) and is recognized by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVBS) and RACE approved.

Modules leading up to certification include in person lab sessions preceded by learning via online independent study session. This consists of 15-20 hours of online course work including lectures and quizzes which must be completed before the hands-on lab session.

Certification consists of 3 courses to be completed within 3 years and a 40 hour internship that must be finished within 2 of finishing coursework.

The Canine Rehabilitation Institute is the only program that offers the CCRT certification. There are two other programs which offer the CCRP certification.