top of page

About Jeanine

bio new.jpeg

Jeanine Freeberg, PT, DPT, C/NDT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Jeanine received her Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy in 1998 from Northern Illinois University and her Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2007. She is a pediatric certified neurodevelopmental therapist.Since 1998 Jeanine has worked as a pediatric physical therapist in a variety of settings.

 

Jeanine has worked in the veterinary rehabilitation field for over 20 years.  Beginning in 2002, she worked for 10 years in veterinary rehabilitation clinics in the Chicagoland area.  She realized that pets may benefit from the home health aspect, having seen the positive effects for her pediatric patients and started Little Steps, Big Strides For Pets.

 

Treating pets in the home is especially beneficial for pets that have just undergone surgery, pets that do not do well in the car (due to mobility issues or anxiety), or any pet that is difficult to transport.  Additionally, rehabilitation performed in your home is beneficial for the comfort of your pet as well as allowing the therapist to evaluate the home environment and make any necessary recommendations.  Demonstrating how you can set up and perform exercises in your own home after sessions promotes the best chance of success for you and your pet!

​

Jeanine is also passionate about all things cart related.  Knowing how to select,  measure, and fit a cart appropriately is essential for the animal's comfort, safety, and function with a cart.  In addition to assisting countless clients with acquiring a cart over the past 20 years, Jeanine also consults with other practitioners in the field on all things cart related.  In addition to carts, Jeanine is also well versed in orthotics and rehab related equipment.  This "wearable therapy" can be an asset to a rehab program when selected for and fit appropriately.  

​

Jeanine has co-presented at national and international conferences including the Illinois Physical Therapy Association, the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, and the American Physical Therapy Association on the topics of canine rehabilitation and using neurodevelopmental techniques in the canine population.

​

As the proud daughter of a retired Chicago police officer, Jeanine has been honored to treat K9 police officers, as well as co-develop and co-present seminars on health, wellness, and injury prevention of the K9 to canine police officers in Illinois.  (Please inquire about discounts given to service animals and pets of first responders).

​

She is lucky enough to call what she loves to do “work”, but outside of these hours, Jeanine enjoys being a Mom to her two dachshunds, running (go team Run for ALS Chicago Marathon 2023), serving as a board member for Wild Hearts (gowildhearts.org), and anything having to do with historic homes.  Her ultimate goal is to see “Rosie’s Place” become a reality.

Jeanine

My Vision

"Rosie's Place"

Vision section Rosie.jpeg

When people ask you what you would do if you won the lottery, do you know what you would say? I do.

​

I’d open “Rosie’s Place”, a non profit animal rehabilitation center.  Rosie was the first animal with a disability that I adopted. She was a beautiful red miniature dachshund. When she came to me she was paralyzed in her back legs.  If I tried to tell you everything that was special about Rosie, all the reasons I loved her, all the ways she saved me, and changed my life for the better, this would be a novel. 

Vision 1

Meet Our Animal Therapists & Assistants

Lindsay.jpg

Lindsey Gravel, CCRA

Bio Coming Soon

30812_394072167275_4742787_n.jpg

Lisa Carls McHale, MS, PT

Physical Therapist

Bio Coming Soon

erin.jpg

Erin Kowalski, NBCCAMT, CCRA, RMP

LSBS For Pets is proud to benefit from the expertise of our extremely qualified assistants. Assistants are an integral part of treatments as they ensure proper form and positioning with exercises and treatments for optimal outcomes. Erin and Lindsey also provide invaluable insights that draw from their many facets of animal related experience. They are deeply devoted to all animals, especially those with mobility impairments. 

Erin Kowalski

NBCCAMT, CCRA, RMP

erin.jpg

Erin Kowalski, NBCCMT, CCRA, RMP

Pet Sitting + Respite Care Provider

erinkowalski.com

 

President + Founder

Bialy's Wellness Foundation

http://www.bialyswellnessfoundation.org

Erin began taking care of pets with mobility impairments since 2011 when she added her first paralyzed and incontinent dog, Bialy, to her family. She founded Bialy's Wellness Foundation in 2014 providing families and rescue organizations with the financial, educational and emotional support they need to help their mobility impaired pets. Since then has dedicated her life to taking care of pets needing specialized care by fostering for rescue organizations and providing pet sitting, respite care and rehab services to pets in the Chicagoland area via erinkowalski.com. In 2015 Erin fostered and adopted her second cart using pet named Josh (@gimmesomejosh) and together they have been breaking down stereotypes and advocating to change the perception of impaired pets.

She has been certified in small mammal massage therapy since 2011. In 2014 Erin became a Reiki Master Practitioner to complement her in home massage therapy business and began working as an instructor and massage therapist at Canine Massage Chicago (now Canis Bodyworks) where she occasionally guest lectures. In 2015 Erin began working at a canine rehabilitation clinic where she earned her CCRA designation. Erin is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR and in 2019 became a Fear Free Certified Professional. 

Erin
Animal Staff
bottom of page