Animals Only — Local services in San Diego

My dog Rooney sustained a leg/hip injury from getting hit by a car as a puppy prior to me adopting him. For the last 7 years since he gets flare ups that cause lameness and pain both at the injury site as well as his other leg and his back from compensating. I was referred to Animals Only and i have NO regrets. Let me 1st talk about the facility. We've gone to other vets, etc with small waiting rooms where the dogs are top of each other. And the last PT place we went to, all treatments are in a common large space. For injured, reactive dogs, that setup isn't ideal. But at Animals Only, the entrance is spacious and the dogs aren't there long and they are careful to keep the dogs apart when switching rooms, entering the hallway, etc. All treatments are performed in enclosed rooms away from other animals. I can't express how important just that one feature is.

Now let me talk about Dr. Schuda and her staff. They are THE BEST! Dr. Schuda has the best bedside manner. Not just to Rooney but to me, his nervous, helicopter-mom/owner too. Everyone is very friendly (shout out to Saje especially :) ) They let me be as involved as I wanted to be (or Rooney needed me to be.) They never made me feel like I was too much or too worried or too anything. They are gentle and sweet with Rooney which makes the experience way less stressful for him. Dr. Schuda will give very detailed treatment plans after her initial and periodic evals including individualized diet and supplement recommendations in order to gain/retain muscle, reduce inflammation, etc. as your pet may require to heal.

After 3 months of physical therapy, (laser, gym/obstacle course, hydrotherapy, shockwave, acupuncture) Rooney has put on muscle and doesn't display any limping, lameness or pain outside of his 'normal'. He's a whole new dog. He even gets daily zoomies and attempts to romp with his pup friends again. We will continue to go to Animals Only for maintenance and if he has...

I cannot express enough gratitude and appreciation for the outstanding care provided by Dr. Schuda and the entire team Animals Only for my little 18 year old chihuahua. My dog began losing the ability to move his back legs and I was desperate for help and support. This facility has not only met but exceeded my expectations in every possible way.

From the initial consultation, Dr. Schuda demonstrated a deep understanding and expertise in dealing with mobility issues in small dogs. The personalized treatment plan included laser therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, each tailored to suit my dog’s specific needs. The improvement in his mobility since we started the treatments has been really noticeable and he is able to get around without falling now.

What truly sets this facility apart, however, is the genuine kindness and warmth shown to my dog at every single appointment. Each staff member treats him with such tenderness and care, it’s clear that they not only excel in their professional roles but also possess a real love for animals. This compassionate approach has made a significant difference in how my Chihuahua responds to treatment. He is always happy to visit and trusts the team completely, which is incredibly comforting to me as a dog mom.

The facility itself is clean, modern and equipped with state-of-the-art technology that ensures the best possible care for pets.

To Dr. Schuda and all the staff at Animals Only, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your expertise, dedication, and kindness have not only helped improve my Chihuahua’s quality of life but have also reassured and supported me through this challenging time. I wholeheartedly recommend this facility to any pet owner who is looking for exceptional care. Your beloved pet will be in the...

Another update on the excellent care our dog is receiving at Animals Only. It’s been 7 months or so since we started her in therapy and she’s gone from not even being able to empty her own bladder, let alone stand, to walking again, albeit a bit awkwardly. We never thought she would come so far and of course we’re beyond happy. Her courses of hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and shockwave have, I’m certain, been a huge part of her recovery process. She’s graduated now into the ‘gym’ and, we hope, her walking should continue to improve. I’m confident that without therapy she would not have come nearly as far as she has, and I base that on seeing her progress when therapy has been regular, as opposed to when we had gaps between sessions. And the same applies to acupuncture, much to my surprise. As stated before, the staff is very nice, patient, and professional. We’re fortunate to have this company in San Diego.

This is an update to my first review on this therapist. As previously indicated, this therapist was one recommended by our dog’s neurosurgeon for post-surgery recovery. When we began therapy our dog was completely paralyzed in her hind legs due to a ruptured disc. The disc rupture was repaired/corrected by surgery but the paralysis was deep and persisted so we began therapy (mainly hydrotherapy and acupuncture, with some laser and shockwave) here. It’s been 3 months or so and the improvements in her hind legs control are really impressive. We’re not out of the woods yet but, considering where we started, I’m thrilled with how much she’s improved. And as in my first review, I’m very happy with the level of caring and the professionalism of the staff here. I don’t think I could...