Vet Opens Doggie Rehab Center

Written by Katrina Daniel Wednesday, February 02 2011

Snapshot: Evelyn Orenbuch

Orenbuch with her dog

Dr. Evelyn Orenbuch is one of those rare individuals who had a dream when she was very young and who followed that dream to make it happen.

Like many little girls, Evelyn Orenbuch wanted to become a veterinarian. And she did. Growing up outside Philadelphia, Orenbuch went to Pennsylvania State University then Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, to attend the Center for Equine Studies.

After graduating, Orenbuch went on to The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She also completed postgraduate studies in chiropractic, acupuncture, and canine physical rehabilitation.

This month, Orenbuch and Dr. Alan Cross will open the Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation, Fitness, and Pain Management facility in metropolitan Atlanta, where they will treat dogs and cats that have been injured, are in pain, have soft tissue injuries, or arthritis.

Orenbuch is also active in what is arguably one of the least known, yet most intriguing, sports in the world – dragon boating. An ancient sport originating in China and slowly making its way to the Western world, dragon boating involves a team of 20 rowers, a drummer, and a person who steers the boat. Dragon boating is a test of timing, teamwork, focus, endurance, and strength. It is said to be the fastest growing team water sport. And, yes, the boats look like dragons.

Womenetics: Have you always wanted to be a veterinarian and if so, what inspired you?
Evelyn Orenbuch: I probably decided at age 8. I often say it had to do with my grandmother because she had a ranch in Arizona, with horses, chickens, goats, dogs. I remember thinking how fascinating all of those animals were. I’ve always enjoyed science and math and problem solving. My sense of compassion and willingness to help probably came from my mother.

Womenetics: Tell us about your new facility, Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation, Fitness, and Pain Management. It seems to be light years above and beyond general veterinary medicine.
Orenbuch: Since 2003 I have focused only on veterinary rehabilitation medicine. I’ve been doing rehab as a mobile practice for eight years now, and I wanted a facility that wouldn’t be associated with a general practice or a specialty practice. We will use the latest physical rehabilitation techniques: hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) and a special rehab pool with a current, chiropractic, acupuncture, cold laser, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and herbs.

Womenetics: In addition to show and competition dogs, who will your patients/clients be?
Orenbuch: I see a lot of dogs with slipped discs that the owners can’t take to surgery because they can’t afford it. A few years ago, the veterinarian would have told them to either euthanize the dog or strictly cage crate it for six to eight weeks. We now know there are much better options. I will be treating almost exclusively dogs, and it’s necessary because physical rehabilitation is an aspect of veterinary medicine that has been overlooked for a long time. There were very few people offering these types of services to the small animal patients. My skills were needed working with dogs.

Womenetics: What’s your mission when dealing with your patients?
Orenbuch: The patient comes first; to be sure the patient gets the best care. Also, establishing achievable goals and client education are really important to me as well. I think that what goes wrong in many cases, especially after surgery or injury, is that people don’t understand completely what options are available for their pet and they feel lost. If I had a dime for every time a client said to me, “Why didn’t my regular vet tell me about this,” I would be rich. People want to know what all of their options are and to make the choice themselves.

	Orenbuch, second from right, with some of her Dragon Boat teammates

Womenetics: Let’s change tack, if you’ll pardon the double entendre. How did you become involved in dragon boating?
Orenbuch: I learned about the sport while living outside Philadelphia. The sport is very popular there because the Schuykill River runs through the city. I joined a local women’s team, and within about a year I was chosen to be on the United States Dragon Boat Team, and have been on the team ever since. I’ve competed in four world championships held in China, Germany, Australia, and the Czech Republic. There is a race here in Atlanta every September on Lake Lanier. I got involved in that as soon as I moved here, and I coached two teams to the winning podium.

Womenetics: And your future with dragon boating? Where is that going?
Orenbuch: The world championships are in Tampa in August. They expect 25 to 30 countries to be represented there. I plan to try out for Team USA again this year.

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Katrina Daniel is an award-winning journalist and broadcast reporter/anchor. She has worked in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and as a national correspondent for several networks. She commutes between Miami and the Carolinas, writing for magazines and news organizations. She lives with one horse, four dogs, and a cat.