Canine Fitness Centre

About the Owners and Founders

LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES, BScPT, MAnSt (Animal Physio),
CAFCI, CCRT

     Laurie obtained her degree in physical therapy (BScPT) from the University of Alberta in 1993. Following graduation, she worked in the intensive care unit at the Foothills Hospital (Calgary, AB) before practicing at a private physiotherapy clinic (Cochrane, AB). Her broad post-graduate education has been in the field of human and canine orthopedics, including advanced assessment and treatment in spinal and extremity neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, postural stabilization, dynamic muscular stabilization, adverse neural tissue tension assessment and treatment, and osteopathic therapeutic techniques (i.e. muscle energy, craniosacral therapy, and functional indirect therapy). Laurie received her certification in medical acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. She also obtained special dispensation to practice spinal manipulations in the province of Alberta.
     Laurie has always demonstrated particular interest in the field of animal physiotherapy. Early on in her career, she completed numerous courses offered by the Canadian Horse and Animal Physical Therapists Association (CHAP) in this field. She initiated her practice with animals in 1993, integrating her skills and knowledge in physical therapy and rehabilitation in humans with her passion for animals. Laurie founded Four Leg Rehabilitation Therapy (Cochrane, AB) in 1997, where she provided physical therapy services to animals and their owners in the greater Calgary area. Laurie currently practices animal physical therapy at The Canine Fitness Centre Ltd. (Calgary, AB), a facility she established in 2004 in partnership with Dr. Amalia Rossi Campos MVZ, MSc and Dr. Manuel Campos, MVZ, MSc, PhD. This facility is the first stand- alone animal physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic in Canada, and it also features the first underwater treadmill in the country.
     Other accomplishments in Laurie's professional career include holding the titles of secretary and president of CHAP, an association she currently chairs. Since 1999, she has been CHAP's chief instructor in canine anatomy, assessment of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, manual therapy, and rehabilitation. Laurie also lectures with the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) in Florida, a canine physical therapy and rehabilitation certification program for veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary technicians. Laurie holds a certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy (CCRT) from the same institute. Laurie has been very much at the forefront of the field of canine physical therapy, and taught the first courses in this field in the United States (1999) and Australia (2001). Laurie has been an invited lecturer at the Second, Third, and Fourth International Symposia on Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Veterinary Medicine as well as at the Second and Third Annual Conference on Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College (London, England). Laurie is a guest lecturer for the continuing professional development program at the Royal Veterinary College (London, England) and for the Master in Animal Studies in Animal Physiotherapy program at the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia). In 2006, Laurie received her Master in Animal Studies (Animal Physiotherapy) degree from the University of Queensland, Australia.

Amalia is a veterinarian by training (and is not a practicing or licensed veterinarian) and has worked in research in the pharmaceutical industry most of her professional life. Amalia obtained her veterinary degree (MVZ) from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 1977 and practiced veterinary medicine in Costa Rica for 4 years. In 1981, she obtained her MSc. in surgery from Auburn University (Alabama) and acquired experience in anesthesiology and intensive care while working on a PhD and residency program at Auburn University and later at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (Saskatoon) from 1984 to 1988. Since 1988, Amalia has worked in animal health research as a veterinary scientist at the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO, Saskatoon) and at SmithKline Beecham and Pfizer Animal Health in the United States. During her tenure in veterinary research, she obtained extensive experience in procedures and protocols, regulations, animal welfare issues, documentation, logistics involved in conducting clinical trials, and project management and interacting with professionals from many different backgrounds. Amalia returned to Canada in 2001 to seek new opportunities in the field of animal health.

Manuel is also a veterinarian by training (and is not a practicing or licensed veterinarian) and has worked in research in the pharmaceutical industry most of his professional life. Manuel obtained his veterinary degree (MVZ) from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 1977 and practiced veterinary medicine in Costa Rica for 4 years. Manuel obtained his MSc. and PhD from Auburn University (Alabama) and later led the Immunology program at the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO, Saskatoon) and was head of the Immunology and Disease Pathogenesis group at Smithkline Beecham and Pfizer Animal Health in the United Sates. During his tenure as a research scientist and as a leader in veterinary infectious diseases both academically and in the industry, he was involved in all aspects of product development and in creating and advancing innovative product concepts to the field of animal health. Manuel served as President of the American Association of Veterinary Immunologist (AAVI) in 1999 and continues to hold adjunct professorships at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Nebraska), the University of Connecticut, and at the University of Massachusetts. Manuel departed from Pfizer in 1999 to pursue new opportunities within animal health field and returned to Canada in 2001.