The first of its kind in the province of Quebec!
We are a full-service in-house equine rehabilitation center geared towards helping horses recover and heal from a variety of conditions.
Set in beautiful Dunham village, the peaceful setting achieves the most important goal during rehabilitation: Relaxation.
Our knowledgeable team is comprised of a rehabilitation specialist, veterinarians, one of which is specialized in spinal manipulation and another in acupuncture, as well as dedicated and caring support staff , all with the mission to develop and execute comprehensive rehabilitation programs for our patients.
ABOUT US
A dream over ten years in the making , the creation of the EquiVet Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy Center aims at filling the gap between what an ideal rehabilitation program consists of and what clients can realistically achieve on their own.
The goal is to take the guess-work out of carrying out a rehabilitation program, following the advice of multiple professionals, and dealing with rest-related difficulties (such as excess energy, muscle loss, mental stimulation) to make the process as smooth and worry-free as possible for the client.
In partnership with the treating veterinarinan, each horse's progress is then reassessed and plans are adjusted weekly to ensure constant forward progression.
OUR
SERVICES
Our "Whole-Horse" approach not only uses therapeutic modalities in order to optimize healing, but through a therapeutic exercise regime, we also aim to address postural and neuromotor weaknesses resulting from injury or locomotor deficits. Though each therapeutic modality or exercise we use is great on their own, they really shine when used within a custom rehabilitation program tailored to each of our patients where treatments and exercises can complement one another.
MODALITIES:
DAILY WELLNESS EXAMS
PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY
THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND
POSTURAL STABILITY and DYNAMIC MOBILIXATION EXERCICES
INDIVIDUALIZED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
KINESIOLOGY TAPING
PROPRIOCEPTION and NEUROMOTOR CONTROL EXERCICES
REHAB CUSTOMIZED TURN-OUT PADDOCKS
BALANCED PADS
PROPRIOCEPTIVE FACILITATION
POLE EXERCICES
THERAPEUTIC LASER
OUR TEAM
Kathryn Lefrancois
VT, BBRM, MSc Equine Science, CERA
Rehabilitation Therapist
General Director at Equivet Rehab
Dr Darra Duheme
DMV, IPSAV, CVA(candidat)
Veterinarian acupuncturist
Dr Samuelle Coulombe
DMV, IPSAV, VSMT, CoAC
Member of the College of Animal Chiropractors
Kathryn has been the equine industry for over 20 years, both in the sport and medical fields. She is an Animal Health Technician, holds a Bachelor' degree in equine management from the University of Guelph, as well as a Master's degree in Equine Science from Hartpury University (Gloucester, United Kingdom). While there, she focused her master's research on the effects of the water treadmill on equine locomotion, research that was then published in the journal of equine veterinary sciences.
Following this, she worked at the equine hospital of the University of Montreal, obtained a certification in equine rehabilitation from the Animal Rehab Institute, Florida, and started her equine rehab business with the Service Veterinaire Ambulatoire EquiVet team. It is with this amazing team that her dream of opening Quebec's first equine rehabilitation center was brought to fruition.
Darra always had a strong passion for horses. From a young age, she actively participated in the equine industry, both in the daily care of horses and in her local competitive circuit.
Her interest in medicine led her to pursue studies in Animal Health at McGill University before obtaining her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Montreal in 2020. She then perfected her training through an internship with the team at the University of Montreal Equine Hospital, where she developed an interest in regenerative medicine, complementary medicine and theriogenology. Her passion for sports medicine and complementary medicine led her to pursue training in acupuncture from the Chi University in 2022. She prioritizes team work with her clients and their collaborators (farriers, trainers, therapists etc.) for the well-being of her patients.
Passionate about horses from a young age, Samuelle knew immediately at the start of her veterinary medicine studies her practice would be tailored to horses. After completing her doctorate in 2015, her love of learning led her to complete 3 more years of studies in equine medicine, including two internships focused primarily on surgery, sports medicine and anesthesiology, followed by a course in veterinary spinal manipulation taught by chiropractors working in the equine field. Optimizing performance and attention to detail are her strong suits. Her favourite cases to work on are back and sacroiliac dysfunction, such as "kissing spine" cases.
In her free time, Dr Coulombe enjoys competitive swimming and training her OTTB horse for eventing.
Maélie Williams
Stable hand and rehab assistant
Maraya Castilloux
Stable hand and rehab assistant
Maélie Williams is currently studying helath sciences at the Cégep de Granby and aspires to become a veterinarian or pedeatrician, a dream she has had since she was young.
Her love for animals has also been present from a young age. Her family farm is also home to many animals; elk, bison, cows, chickens, horses, cats and dogs.
She has worked on horse farms since she was 8 years old and is currently employed at a small animal veterinary clinic as well as at the EquiVet Rehabilitation Center. Enthusiastic and hard-working, she is a valuable asset to our team.
Maraya has been passionate about horses since the age of five, inspired by her grandparents who ran a horse breeding farm. Her early exposure to the horse industry fueled a love of horses and riding, leading to competing on the rodeo circuit.
After high school, she earned a welding certificate and pursued an apprenticeship with a farrier, deepening her expertise in equine care.
Following this, Maraya spent four years at a Standardbred racing and breeding farm, where she gained extensive knowledge about breeding, foaling and handling various types of horses. In her spare time, she enjoys motocross, hiking, and spending quality time with her dog, often participating in cani-cross activities. Her diverse interests and dedication to the equine world make her a valuable member of our team
Estelle Duval
Stable hand and rehab assitant
Passionate about horses from a young age, Estelle has never stopped growing alongside them. She took her first riding lesson at 7, acquired a pony at 9, and became a stable girl at 14. She quickly realized that she would never leave them.
Her equestrian experience includes practicing the sport since childhood, competing as a rider and groom, working at various stables, breaking young horses, and recently, coaching has been added to the list.
Her professional journey has always been centered around animals: stable hand, pet store advisor, adoption specialist, and later, a mobile unit worker for an animal shelter. She has developed valuable skills in animal care, nutrition, training, and behavior.
Her experience and the deep importance she places on animal welfare make Estelle a key person in our team.
KEEP
IN TOUCH
OUR ADDRESS
Visiting:
appointment only
Calling:
09:00 - 16:00
Monday to Saturday