This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m joined by one of my real-life friends (and current work buddy 😅), Dr. Kristen Frevert VMD! Kristen is a veterinarian here in Franklin, TN who recently added a HUGE new credential to her résumé: she officially became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee, aka the birthplace of canine rehab.
We start with Kristen’s journey from traditional general practice into integrative medicine, how she became certified in medical acupuncture during COVID, and why she felt called to develop skills that could help pets in ways many owners don’t even realize exist. We also settle the very important question: if Kristen were a dog breed, would she actually be a Border Collie? (Spoiler: absolutely.)
Then we get into Kristen’s HOT TAKE: age is NOT a disease. Just because your dog is slowing down doesn’t mean it’s “just getting old.” We talk about chronic pain, arthritis, muscle loss, why limping always matters, and the subtle signs pet owners often miss in senior dogs and cats.
From there, we dive into the world of veterinary rehab—underwater treadmills, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, regenerative medicine, post-surgery recovery, and all the ways these tools are helping pets stay active and comfortable longer.
We also tackle acupuncture myths, what it actually does (hint: it's not just for pain), and some of the surprising conditions it can help treat.
If you have a senior pet, a dog recovering from surgery, or you've ever wondered whether acupuncture and rehab are actually worth considering, this episode is packed with practical information you can start using right away.
LOVE YOU GUYS! 💛
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome + introducing Dr. Kristen Frevert
00:07:14 Why Kristen pursued acupuncture & integrative medicine
00:11:23 If Kristen were a dog breed… 🐾
00:13:11 Hot Take: Age Is NOT a Disease
00:16:32 What is an integrative veterinarian?
00:17:23 What does a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner actually do?
00:23:00 Which pets are the best candidates for rehab?
00:27:00 What a rehab treatment plan looks like
00:28:00 Underwater treadmills: why they're so effective
00:30:58 Shockwave therapy, lasers, PRP & regenerative medicine
00:34:32 Cost, insurance coverage & barriers to rehab
00:43:07 Acupuncture Explained: The science behind the needles
00:47:58 Surprising conditions acupuncture can help treat
00:52:05 How often should pets receive acupuncture?
00:55:55 When should pet owners consider rehab or acupuncture?
00:57:30 The most underrated rehab tool
01:01:08 Tennessee's chiropractic legislation & why veterinarians are concerned
01:12:46 Weight, muscle mass & protecting your pet's future
01:13:58 Final thoughts + where to find Dr. Frevert
01:15:02 See you next week! 🐶🐱
---------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028
---------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays
Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod
---------------------------------------------------------------
Keywords:
dog arthritis, senior dog health, dog pain symptoms, signs your dog is in pain, canine rehabilitation, veterinary rehabilitation, dog acupuncture, acupuncture for dogs, pet mobility, aging dogs, senior dog care, dog limping, arthritis in dogs, integrative veterinary medicine, regenerative medicine for dogs, underwater treadmill for dogs, laser therapy for dogs, pet wellness, veterinary podcast, dog health podcast, pet health, canine health
USA