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May 2020 Spotlight Practice

Vet-REC: Veterinary Rehabilitation & Exercise Clinic of the Carolinas

Charlotte, North Carolina

AARV Member:
Ashley Nixon, DVM, CVA, CVMRT, CVSMT

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Vet-REC is a freestanding clinic outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, that has been providing care for the last 7 years. They see a diverse caseload, including patients with neurologic and orthopedic issues, athletes, and geriatrics. They also do a great deal of wellness care. They primarily see dogs and cats, but Dr. Ashley Nixon is happy to provide care to any animal that needs it! They also have a dedicated equine acupuncture and chiropractic service. They perform a thorough initial consultation, additional diagnostics as necessary, and create an individualized plan (including home care) for each patient that joins the Vet-REC family. They offer a full host of rehabilitation services, including but not limited to therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, massage, Class IV laser therapy, and much more. They also offer acupuncture and chiropractic services. In the future, they are excited to add a regenerative medicine service as they expand. They work with a local orthotics and prostheses group to have braces/orthotics/prosthetics crafted locally with a quick turnaround for patients.

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Vet-REC is the only free-standing rehabilitation clinic in the Charlotte area and is happy to provide care to all area animals – from small mammals and dogs and cats, to farm animals. While therapies typically take place inside, the facility does have a spacious outdoor yard that can be used when weather permits.

Dakota is one of Vet-REC's many geriatric patients, coming in regularly to stay mobile, comfortable and active in her older age. Like many of the older patients, she enjoys a variety of treatments – acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and laser most commonly.

Vet-REC has a spacious treatment room where both land-based exercises and hydrotherapy take place.

Maggie, patient care coordinator Melissa's dog, comes in for regular acupuncture and veterinary "chiropractic" treatments to keep her feeling her best while on palliative care for lymphoma and renal disease.

Therapist Molly Roberts, RVT, CCRP (pending), and therapist assistant Zaria Steele work with Teddy, who has been working on walking again after neurosurgery. His mom is happy to report he rarely needs his wheelchair at home at this point! Vet-REC sees many neurologic cases both pre- and post-op, and it is always rewarding to see their progress!

AARV member Ashley Nixon, DVM, CVA, CVMRT, CVSMT, joined the team in November 2017. Each new patient meets with Dr. Nixon for a thorough assessment and formulation of a treatment plan, as well as a customized home plan to help them progress through their treatment.

Lil Jack is another one of our geriatric patients. He came in to us unable to walk. A few weeks into his therapy, and he is walking much better and getting around in his new cart. All of our patients are carefully monitored during therapy, so their plans can be tweaked to get the best possible outcome.

Therapist Brittney Dye has plenty of experience with hip dysplasia – her own dog Viking is scheduled for a total hip replacement. While his surgery was rescheduled to a later date due to COVID-19, Viking has been coming to work for medical management to help keep him comfortable.

Patient care coordinator Melissa Morgal is the face people first see at Vet-REC. She is certainly well-acquainted with our therapies – both Maggie and Sadie get treated at Vet-REC regularly!

Charlie Brown, an orthopedic post-op patient, enjoys his laser therapy with therapist Molly Roberts.

Harley is one of our younger patients at 5 months of age! He came to us from neurology to work on his lateral scoliosis.

Mac loves his hydrotherapy! He recently celebrated his first birthday! This lucky boy comes to therapy to help avoid future injuries from his orthopedic condition.

In addition to rehabilitation services, Vet-REC has a dedicated weight-loss program for otherwise healthy animals. This incorporates nutritional counseling, exercises and a home plan, as well as continual monitoring from their healthcare team as they reach their goals.

The Vet-REC team take a team approach to the process and work together to provide effective, compassionate care. The team consists of Dr. Ashley Nixon and therapists Molly Roberts, RVT, CCRP (pending), and Brittney Dye, as well as patient care coordinator/office manager Melissa Morgal. Vet-REC also has 2 therapist assistants, Shea Stewart and Zaria Steele.

One great thing about Vet-REC is the commitment to giving back. They have a private "foster fund," from which monetary donations are put towards rehabilitation care costs for pets in the foster/shelter system. They also donate massage and VSMT services to the Humane Society of Charlotte for shelter dogs in their care. They provide continuing education to both local colleagues and clients to help make sure Charlotte-area pets are continuing to get the best care possible.

Information written by AARV Member Ashley Nixon, DVM, CVA, CVMRT, CVSMT

Preferred Contact:
Melissa Morgal
Phone: 704-821-7161
E-mail: carolinavetrec@gmail.com
Website: www.carolinavetrec.com