Ilaria earned her MS in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut. She served as Clinical Coordinator for the Brain Research Center at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC, then continued her academic work at Yale University School of Medicine. She went on to complete her MA in Occupational Therapy at New York University, where she combined her research background with clinical practice. This work led her to focus on canine patients, and in 2001 she founded Thera Paw, Inc., a company dedicated to the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of soft orthoses, mobility aids, and other assistive products for animals with special needs.

Ilaria collaborates closely with small animal practitioners to advance innovative approaches to custom splinting and bracing. She teaches internationally and contributed to the 2013 publication Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation published by J. Wiley & Sons. In 2010,

In 2010, Ilaria co-founded STAAR, the Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation. In 2020, she founded Vital Vet, an online, multi-platform supercenter created to improve the lives of animal companions. Vital Vet brings together veterinary rehabilitation, animal physical therapy, mobility, fitness, and wellness in one central destination, supporting both veterinary professionals and dedicated pet parents as they learn, connect, and make informed decisions. ​

Ilaria has a special interest in Greyhound dogs. She has lectured and written articles on paw-related conditions in ex-racing Greyhounds, and has conducted and co-authored one of the largest epidemiological studies on the breed.

Robert Gillette is a veterinarian with 38 years of practice experience (KSU DVM, 1988), 25 of those years as a board-certified veterinary specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation (Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Charter Member).  Dr. Gillette has received post-doctoral training in human biomechanics and exercise physiology (Masters of Science Education, University of Kansas, 1998).  He has spent the last 30 years studying and researching the performance sciences related to the athletic and working dogs, and studied how these concepts apply to Veterinary Rehabilitation in general. 

His current business is Sportsvet Veterinary Consulting where he provides expert guidance and scientific consultation in the pet and veterinary markets to strengthen organizational credibility, product innovation, and education.  He also provides clinical support to practicing veterinarians in the area of sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Professional Background

Dip. American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Post-Doc MSE in Kinesiology & Exercise Physiology

Veterinary Clinical Experience-38 yrs

Dedicated Specialty Clinical Experience-25 yrs

Research Experience in Canine Performance-30 yrs

Research in Wound Healing & Reconstructive Surgery-3 yrs

Operational Canine Experience

Managed Auburn University Performance Dog Program-10 yrs

Managed Auburn University Active Dog Laboratory-12 yrs

Experience Working Dog Large Kennel Operations-30 yrs

Greyhound Breeding/Racing-25 yrs

Lifetime Hunting Dog Experience

Related Veterinary Skills

• Modalities: 15 yrs Laser Therapy; 20 yrs Electrical Stimulation; 10 yrs Therapeutic Ultrasound; 35 yrs Injectable Sclerotherapy

• Diagnostics: Gait Analysis; Computer Enhanced Video Analysis; Thermography; Force Plate; Pressure Mat; Inertial Measurement Units; Exercise Metabolic Sensors; Physiological Testing

Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach, PT, DPT, MS, CCRP, CCRT is a doctor of physical therapy with nearly thirty years of experience. In the clinic and workshops, she skillfully and expertly applies manual therapy and facilitation techniques during corrective therapeutic exercise to enhance neuroplasticity and functional recovery in canine patients with orthopaedic, athletic, and neurologic challenges. 

Always learning, Dr. Hesbach received degrees from the University of Montana, the Medical College of Virginia, and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, with a residency in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation at the Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center, Vallejo, California.  She is certified in Canine Rehabilitation though both the University of Tennessee and the Canine Rehabilitation Institute.

Dr. Hesbach is an author, publishing in both peer-reviewed scientific journals and professional texts. She has lectured and led workshops in more than twelve countries across four continents.

Dr. Hesbach is the past President of the Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association. She prides herself in providing concierge, in-home canine physical therapy services in the Boston area and in educating and mentoring canine rehabilitation professionals and pet owners worldwide.

Laurie Edge-Hughes obtained her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta in 1993 and has since focused her post-graduate training on orthopedics, osteopathy, acupuncture, and animal rehabilitation. Additionally, she completed her Master of Animal Studies in Animal Physiotherapy through the University of Queensland (Australia)in 2006.

Laurie taught the first canine physiotherapy/physical therapy courses in Canada (1999), the USA(1999), and Australia (2001). She has been involved in the Animal RehabDivision since its inception in 1994 and teaches canine physiotherapy and rehabilitation courses for the Animal Rehab Division (ARD) of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Additionally, she holds the position of Advocacy Lead for the ARD and is chair of the Registry of Allied Animal Health Practitioners of Canada. www.FourLeg.com, an online educational platform for continuing education in canine rehabilitation / physiotherapy.

Laurie co-owns and practices out of the Canine Fitness Centre Ltd (www.caninefitness.com) in Calgary, Alberta.

Dr. Laurie McCauley is a pioneer in Veterinary Rehabilitation with a passion for optimizing pet health. A graduate of Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine, she spent six years in general practice before opening the first Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinic and designing the first underwater treadmill for dogs. She served on faculty at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute for 14 years.

Dr. McCauley is Board Certified in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and is certified in Acupuncture and Chiropractic therapies. An international lecturer and author, she has received prestigious awards, including the Iams AARV Award of Excellence and the AHVMA Holistic Practitioner of the Year Award.

Dr. McCauley owns Red Tail Rehab, a mobile rehab practice, and Optimum Pet Vitality, an educational platform for professionals and pet parents.

Elena Saltis received her undergraduate degree in Physical Therapy at Ohio State University. She started PhysiotherapyNZ Limited, a prominent, successful, multi-clinic human Physio business in the South Island of New Zealand. She went on to obtain her certificate in canine rehabilitation (CCRT) from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI). After graduating she continued to hone her skills, attending post graduate courses at CRI, further study through the Australian Physiotherapy Association - Special Interest Group, and multiple internships at various facilities. Elena went on to become an instructor for CRI in both the US and Australia, and presented at numerous international conferences.

Elena is passionate about giving back and imparting her therapy skills on animals most in need. She established a rehabilitation clinic in Spain in partnership with the Galgo Rescue sanctuary. She started Street Tails, a charity providing veterinary and physical therapy services to the pets of people who are homeless. Also, she developed Canine NeuroPark Charity Trust, a private rehabilitation and enrichment park in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Kate Titus is a speaker, educator, author, and founder committed to helping mobility-challenged and senior dogs move with comfort. A Certified Canine Fitness Trainer and massage therapist, Kate launched A Loyal Companion in 2008 and later opened Arizona’s first canine fitness and swim facility. Since then, she’s helped thousands of dogs and their people navigate mobility challenges and aging with care and clarity.

Kate has authored two books, Sit. Stand. Go! and Emotion to Motion, and regularly speaks on canine mobility, massage, and wellness. She’s also a dedicated nonprofit leader, serving on the board of Friends of PACC and chairing the board of the Friends of PACC Pet Clinic. At the heart of all her work is a simple mission: to offer real, honest information and compassionate solutions for dogs and the humans who love them.

Kate enjoys learning more about areas of special interest, including veterinary orthotics and prosthetics, functional fitness in senior dogs, and managing the everyday care of dogs with degenerative myelopathy, IVDD, and Valley Fever. She holds an MBA in Marketing from Suffolk University and a Master’s degree in Recreation, Sports, and Fitness Management from Northeastern University.

Dr. Debbie Torraca began her career in human physical therapy (PT) and specialized in orthopedics, sports medicine, and pain management. With a solid foundation in human PT, she has adapted her skills (including her expertise in the Mulligan Technique) to her work with animals. Dr. Torraca is a pioneer in the field of canine physical rehabilitation and is a core faculty member of the NC State Veterinary School’s Certified Companion Animal Therapy (CCAT) program. She also founded and heads the Certified Canine Manual Therapy (CCMT) program at UTN.

Following her doctorate in Physical Therapy from UTN-Chattanooga, she transitioned to her work with animals and has been practicing canine rehabilitation for more than 25 years.

Dr. Torraca has authored many chapters in veterinary textbooks and writes for professional journals and magazines dedicated to the dog enthusiast. She has been a speaker and instructor at many veterinary conferences including the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT), American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC), and Western States Veterinary Conference (WSVC). She sits on the advisory board for Companion Animal Health and has been a key speaker at the American International Medical Laser Association.

Dr. Torraca is a longtime member of American Physical Therapy Association Special Interest Group (APTA-SIG) and has held the office of President. She is also a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). She is an active member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, the American Bullmastiff Association, the Clumber Spaniel Club of America, and various other local dog clubs and organizations including the Connecticut Police Canine Unit.