Healing from the Inside Out with BARC

Traverse City is home to one of only two dedicated pet rehab facilities in the state

Bruce—a three-year-old boxer—isn’t shy about showing affection (as you can see from the story photo). He greets visitors with an enthusiastic wag, a playful nudge, and, if you’re lucky, a sloppy kiss. Beneath his charming exterior is a story of resilience, one that’s being written each day at Bayside Animal Rehabilitation Center (BARC) in Traverse City.

“Most of the dogs love the treadmill,” says Dr. Jennifer Rudnick, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVMMP, veterinarian and founder of BARC. “Bruce especially. He just knows what to do.”

Bruce’s story began with a diagnosis that might have ended his days of running and playing. He suffered partial tears in both cruciate ligaments, the canine equivalent of ACL injuries, and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Surgery to repair his knees wasn’t an option.

“That heart condition meant he couldn’t go under anesthesia,” Dr. Rudnick explains. “Instead, we’ve been therapeutically managing his cruciate tears.”

That management means sessions in an underwater treadmill, laser therapy, shockwave treatments, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) joint injections. He’s even been fitted with custom braces to help stabilize his knees.

“Rehab is standard of care in human medicine, and we apply the same principles to animals,” Dr. Rudnick says. “We’re not just masking pain with medication; we’re treating the underlying problem.”

The underwater treadmill is a key tool. “If the water is at hip level, it takes about 83 percent of the weight off their joints,” Dr. Rudnick says. “It decreases impact, increases range of motion, and still builds muscle because it’s weight-bearing.”

Because Bruce was such an active dog, seeing him unable to play was hard for his family.

“It was just heartbreaking to have to say, ‘No, Bruce, you can’t run and play,’” Maddie Cox, Bruce’s owner, remembers. “But now we’re working toward ‘Yes, please run and play.’”

Cox says she’s seen remarkable improvement—not just in his mobility, but in his overall health. “When we changed his diet, his heart went back to normal size. It’s insane. Now he’s going to live a long, long life.”

BARC’s Services

Bruce is one of roughly 350–400 patients BARC treats. The clinic has become a beacon for pet owners across northern Michigan, drawing clients from as far as Scottsville and even downstate because there’s no comparable facility nearby. Established in Traverse City two years ago, BARC is one of only two facilities in Michigan dedicated exclusively to animal rehab.

Rehabilitation at Bayside is far from a “doggy spa.” While massage and chiropractic adjustments are part of the mix, it’s all rooted in medical science. “We’re not just putting a bandage on the problem,” says Dr. Rudnick. “We’re treating the underlying process and healing the body from the inside out.”

That means integrating physical therapy techniques, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutrition, and at times herbal supplements. The goal isn’t just pain relief but restoring function and quality of life.

Sophie, a five-year-old retriever, came to Bayside after two TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) knee surgeries that didn’t fully restore her mobility. “She never regained the muscle mass she’d lost,” Dr. Rudnick recalls. “Her owner did rehab exercises religiously for a year and a half, and now Sophie’s like a puppy again.”

For some, the change is even more dramatic. “We’ve had dogs go from unable to walk at all to walking out of the building,” says Megan Crane, one of Bayside’s veterinary technicians.

The clinic also offers preventive care for younger, athletic dogs, from chiropractic adjustments to conditioning programs. “It’s like maintenance for a car,” says Dr. Rudnick. “Fine-tuning them to keep them moving better, even the young ones.”

That preventive approach, combined with early intervention, can delay the onset of arthritis and other degenerative conditions. “An ounce of prevention really is worth a hundred here,” Crane says.

For owners concerned with cost, the team works to create realistic home programs. They also accept insurance for those who qualify.

“It doesn’t have to be a process that’s prohibitive,” says Dr. Rudnick. “Simple nutritional changes and at-home exercises can make a huge difference.”

The reward for the staff isn’t just in seeing numbers improve on a stance analyzer or measuring tape—it’s in seeing tails wag and personalities return.

“Owners tell us, ‘S/he’s happy again. S/he wants to be around us. S/he’s doing things she hasn’t done in years,’” Dr. Rudnick says.

For Cox and her family, the joy is in seeing Bruce live the life he deserves. “We’ve had him since he was a puppy,” she says. “Now I can say with confidence: he’s going to live forever.”

BARC is currently accepting new patients. To learn more or set up an appointment, visit baysideanimalrehab.com.

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