Rehabilitation Team

Rehabilitation

Team

Marla-and-Chris-2

REHABILITATION TEAM

Chris Allyn Fritsch

Chris Allyn Fritsch M.Ed, ATC/R, PT, CCRP

After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Athletic Training and Education, Chris pursued Physical Therapy at Howard University in Washington DC and later completed her Masters at Howard University. Chris “retired” from human physical therapy after 25 years and brought that sports medicine experience with emphasis in manual therapy and biomechanics to the animal rehabilitation world.

Her interest in Canine Rehabilitation began in 2000 when her own dog, Cooper, underwent a caudal cruciate repair. The surgeon recommended swimming for rehab but had no other suggestions. It just didn’t make sense that human patients receive a very specific focused rehabilitation program after a similar surgery but for a dog the rehab was simply swimming. Chris began utilizing her human physical therapy knowledge and manual skills to address the post-surgical needs in her dog – pain, lack of flexibility, decreased strength, and poor neuromuscular control. The results were impressive, Cooper regained full range of motion, strength, and was back to chasing squirrels in no time.

This experience spurred a desire to learn more about canine rehabilitation so she began coursework through the University of Tennessee certification program in Canine rehabilitation. Her clinical residency was spent here at MASH and she earned her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner credentials in December 2007. Now she strives to provide complete wellness and rehabilitation care of dogs ( or cats ! ) big and small, athletic and elderly, for their fullest dog life possible.

In her free time, Chris likes to spend time in her West Virginia cabin with family, friends, and 2 rescue dogs. Life is good on the river.

Marla Wilkerson

Marla Wilkerson PT, CHT, CCRT, CMTPT/DN

Marla received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1996, and then a Master of Science in Health Sciences in Physical Therapy from George Washington University in 2002. She has been working as a licensed Physical Therapist in outpatient orthopedics ever since and earned specializations in the upper extremity as a Certified Hand Therapist in 2011, and in canines as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in 2019. In 2023, Marla became certified in Dry Needling as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist. 

Marla’s exploration into canine rehabilitation began when she had an aging dog who was having a hard time walking. She became extremely frustrated that she knew how to help a human, but had no clue how to help her own dog. She wanted to do whatever possible to help Bella to live her best life for each and every day that she had left. Through discussions with her human patients, Marla was discovering that many people are unaware that specialized rehabilitation for their canines even exists. Most people would seek out physical therapy to address their own pain and injury but had no idea the same was available for their dogs. This made her eager to become part of this ever-evolving field, integrating physical therapy skills and veterinary medicine to be able to help dogs as much as we help people at the times that they need us the most.  

In her free time, Marla enjoys seeking out good food around Annapolis and spending time with her 4 dogs. She regularly works her dogs with a trainer and believes in continually investing in all aspects of her professional development by staying up-to-date on the latest research and advancements in rehabilitation, while also learning all she can about canine behavior and training. Whether recovering from injury or surgery, managing a chronic condition, or simply striving to maintain mobility and vitality as they age, Marla is dedicated to helping dogs to live their best lives possible, for as long as possible.

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