Until recently, rehabilitation practices following an injury were reserved for racing animals. Today, more and more techniques borrowed from the realm of human physical therapy have been adapted to companion animals and significant advantages over traditional protocols are being recognized. Animal rehabilitation therapies and treatments help restore a patient's prior abilities, ease discomfort, and maximize functional outcome following a procedure.

In November of 1999, the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado (VRCC) added animal rehabilitation as a helpful adjunct to the extensive services offered at its facility.