Fitter Critters was founded in November 1999 by Jody Chiquoine to provide affordable rehabilitation, conditioning, and fitness programs for dogs, along with education for their owners. The clinic was born out of Jody’s personal experience and professional background. The turning point came when her Newfoundland, Zowie, suffered a traumatic injury, highlighting the need for specialized care and support for dogs recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. Coupled with Jody’s extensive clinical rehabilitation experience working with people, she realized there was a significant gap in canine rehabilitation services and decided to make a difference for dogs in need.

Jody, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, built Fitter Critters with a deep commitment to improving the lives of dogs. Her background as a registered nurse for 34 years, along with a Master’s Degree in Nursing and expertise in rehabilitation, cancer care, geriatrics, and surgery, made her uniquely qualified to lead the clinic in providing high-quality care. 

Now, under the leadership of Sunny Kasala, Fitter Critters continues its mission to offer expert rehabilitation and wellness services for dogs. Sunny brings her own educational background, including a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and specialized training in canine rehabilitation through the Canine Rehab Institute and the University of Tennessee's CCRP program to continue the clinic’s legacy.

The clinic’s skilled staff undergoes extensive training in canine anatomy, bodywork, and rehabilitation, ensuring every dog receives the best possible care. They work closely with local referring vets to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive approach to recovery. Together, the team at Fitter Critters remains passionate about providing expert care to help dogs recover, stay active, and lead happy, healthy lives.