In fact, according to the Kansas City Star, specialists in veterinary medicine are growing, and many of them come from human physical therapy fields. As the quality of pet care rises, more and more pet owners are aware that their Fidos can and do suffer from joint and other diseases that humans face, and giving pets the options that they themselves can expect is not so unusual.

Sandy Brown, former physical therapist who now runs a business for canine rehabilitation, told the newspaper that the basic principals for treating such diseases as osteoarthritis are the same as for humans. Other specialists that you can now consult for Fido's health include dentists, eye doctors, dermatologists and experts in animal acupuncture.