Dog Rehab? Two Hands, Four Paws In Los Angeles, Calif. Treats Injured Pets (VIDEO)

A rehab center for dogs in Los Angeles, Calif. offers massage and laser therapy, acupuncture, weight loss help and more to troubled pets. The services sound like something out of "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," but the canines walking through the doors at Two Hands Four Paws are not pampered little pooches; instead, they're dogs with serious injuries and health issues.

One-eighth of the business' clientele are wheelchair-bound at some point in their therapy, explained founder Leslie McMahon to KTLA in the video above. For those dogs, water treadmills, swim sessions and massage therapy can strengthen injured limbs and loosen tight muscles. Other clientele include aging pets suffering from arthritis, torn ligaments or sore joints.

In a phone interview with The Huffington Post, McMahon revealed the two most common injuries she sees at the clinic: disc diseases, which are congenital, and torn anterior cruciate ligaments in knees.

"Squirrels are the number one cause of a torn ACL," said McMahon. "It's not a joke! I see it all the time in breeds that have a high-prey drive." Those would include German Shepherds, Labradors, Pitt Bulls, Terriers and Corgis. McMahon also added that the clinic treats a fair amount of "working dogs" -- police dogs and show dogs -- but most of the clientele are simply beloved pets.

The clinic is 15 years old and the largest of its kind in California. In addition to treating about 180 dogs per week, the center also offers day care, "Sunday Fun Swims" for dogs who love the water, and help for owners with overweight pets. Check out photos of some dogs receiving care at the clinic and check out the Two Hands Four Paws site to learn more.

Photos courtesy of Facebook: Two Hands Four Paws.

• Kashmir

  Kashmir, a Doberman, receives acupuncture therapy.

• Pug Goes Swimming

  Pug exercises on a water treadmill.

• Sasha

  Sasha, a doberman, goes through therapy for her wobbler syndrome.

• Chihuahua

  Chihuahua in a leg cast.

• Rosie

  Rosie received laser therapy to help relieve discomfort in her tendons and ligaments.

• Layla

  Layla, a Shepherd mix, has a partial tear on her ACL. Water treadmill therapy helps strengthen her limb.

• Mariah

  Caption from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151140142336538&set=pb.101280981537.-2207520000.1361400227&type=3&theater">Facebook: Two Hands Four Paws</a> <blockquote>Look into my eyes, little one, and listen well. Great things await you. You are a descendant of champions. You took to water immediately. In agility, you will take to the air. Soon the sporting world will exalt your name. Mariah! But for now, ten more laps. On the double!</blockquote>

• Jack P.

  Jack P. is one of the center's amputee clients. Swim therapy helps keep him fit, and massage therapy helps loosen his muscles.

• Duke

  After suffering a spinal-cord stroke, this American Bulldog is learning how to walk again. His therapies include acupuncture, massage and water therapy.

• Winston

  Winston participates in the holiday fun swim to keep in shape.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/dog-rehab-two-hands-four-paws_n_2728615.html

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