About Us

Mobility is Life

For all dogs, mobility is life. Movement—supported or not—allows a dog to participate in his world independently. Smelling the base of a tree, seeing a rabbit run in front of him, hearing tiny feet scurry across the dry earth, nibbling on young tendrils of grass, feeling the smooth pebbles beneath his paws. It’s these experiences that make his life rich. Mobility is the key that unlocks the exploration of his world and enhances his quality of his life.

Every year, I talk to hundreds of dog owners who come to A Loyal Companion Mobility and Swim Center looking for help. Most of my clients have asked this same question in one form or another: “How can I help my dog continue to enjoy his life doing the things he loves without pain or discomfort for as long as his body and mind will allow?” I built A Loyal Companion to help you answer that question. Our goal is to provide the information and support you need to give your dog the best life possible.

Kate Titus, Founder & Owner

Kate Titus is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT), FitPAWS Master Trainer (FPMT), and Certified Canine Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist (CTMT, CSMT).

 

Kate Titus Bio...

In 2008, Kate founded A Loyal Companion to provide massage, exercise, and mobility solutions for senior dogs. In 2015, she opened the first canine fitness and mobility facility in Arizona, featuring an indoor swimming pool and complete dog gym. Since then, more than 2,000 dogs and their pet parents have come through the doors in Tucson. (www.aloyalcompanion.com)

Kate is the author of two books on canine mobility, Sit. Stand. GO! How to help your dog overcome mobility challenges and Emotion to Motion: How the mind impacts your dog’s mobility, published by Dudley Court Press.

In addition, Kate lectures to groups on topics such as fitness, massage, caring for senior dogs, and canine mobility. Her work has appeared in various publications, including on thebark.com, website for the popular national dog culture magazine, The Bark (https://thebark.com/content/gathering-storm)

Currently, she’s a board member with Friends of Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), the non-profit partner of Pima Animal Care Center providing resources to support neglected, abandoned, and abused pets in Pima County (AZ). (https://www.friendsofpacc.org/)

Kate lives with her wife, Kathy; Half Moon, a joyful rat terrier; Andy, bounding terrier mix; and Helen, an empathetic and athletic boxer. 

Education/Credentials

  • University of Tennessee certificate program in Canine Physical Rehabilitation, Audited courses in canine rehabilitation, physical/electrotherapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise prescription/aquatic therapy, designing & implementing rehabilitation programs, comprehensive pain management. (Please note: I am not a veterinarian or a veterinary technician and am therefore ineligible to sit for a certification exam.)
  • University of Tennessee certificate program in Canine Fitness Training, (CCFT), Topics of study included canine body mechanics, anatomy, functional movement, behavior, nutrition, and safety.
  • FitPAWS certificate program in Canine Fitness Training, (Master Trainer, FPMT) Topics of study included canine fitness and conditioning, using fitness equipment safely, developing personalized fitness routines, nurturing client involvement and compliance.
  • Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure & Massage,Certified Canine Therapeutic (CTMT) and Sports Massage Therapist (CSMT)
  • Purdue University Veterinary Technology Program, foundational courses in anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.
  • Triple Crown Academy,Pet Obedience Instructor: Theory and Application of Canine Behavior
  • Suffolk University, Sawyer College of Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on marketing
  • Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Master of Science (MS), Recreation, Sports, and Fitness Management
  • Continuing Education
    • VSCOT, Management of Osteoarthritis Pain with a Multi-Modal Approach
    • K-Laser USA, Emerging Trends in Veterinary Laser Technology: Revolutionizing Pain Management and Wound Healing
    • Companion Therapy: Geriatric Animal Symposium
    • FourLeg Rehab: Online continuing education
    • OnlinePetHealth: Online continuing education

Nikki Frahm, Mobility Specialist

Nikki built her strong knowledge of dog behavior and dog body language in her early career as a pet sitter, dog daycare manager and dog trainer. Since joining the A Loyal Companion team in 2015, Nikki has worked diligently to build her knowledge base of canine anatomy and physiology through continuing education resources and apply that to our mobility-challenged dogs.

As our wheelchair specialist, Nikki earned her Walkin’ Wheels Certification in assembling, fitting, adjusting, and proper utilization of Walkin’ Wheels for disabled pets. In addition, she works closely with our custom wheelchair partner, Eddie’s Wheels, to measure, fit and adjust their custom carts.

Nikki works with mobility-challenged dogs in our full canine gym to build strength, balance, flexibility, and proprioception skills that enhance their every day lives. These sessions also involve canine enrichment activities, another one of Nikki’s specialties.

Nikki also excels in working with dogs in our pool. Not only does she keep the dogs safe and feeling secure, she helps pet parents understand what she’s doing and why it’s important for their dogs. Her training background is important here as it helps her recognize and address any stress during a dog’s swim.

She especially enjoys working with dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries and hip dysplasia, as well as those having femoral head ostectomy (FHOs) procedures.

Continuing Education/Certifications

  • Walkin’ Wheels Professional Certification Topics of study included assessment, measurement, fitting, adjustment, and applications of Walkin’ Wheels adjustable rear wheel and quad carts,
  • Do More with Your Dog program in Canine Fitness and Conditioning (CCFC) Topics of study included canine body mechanics, anatomy, functional movement, behavior, and safety.
  • DogNostics Career Center certification in Canine Enrichment Technician  Topics of study included creating and using games to challenge the mind and the body.
  • Do More with Your Dog program in Trick Dog Instruction (CTDI) Topics of study included teaching tricks using proper techniques and within safety guidelines, building behaviors to complete complex tricks, working with the human end of the leash.