Our Story
When it comes to trusting the health and well-being of your pet to someone else’s care, what matters most? Capability and expertise? Absolutely. But how about compassion, commitment, and creativity?
If there is one thing we’ve learned in our 15-plus years of collective experience working with dogs and cats, it’s that no two patients are the same. Each furry, spirited being deserves their own custom treatment plan, designed by a dedicated professional who will champion their success. And you won’t find a more passionate, talented team therapists, led by Dr. Kristine Conway, than the ones who call Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation home.
Our Team
Veterinarian & Physical Therapist
Kristine Conway, D.V.M., C.C.R.T.
Dr. Kristine Conway has more than 10 years of experience designing personalized “PT” for your faithful friend or furry feline. She founded Aqua Dog Rehabilitation, now Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation, in 2007 to bring its extremely beneficial physical and integrative therapies to the dogs and cats of the northern New Jersey region.
Kris’s interest in canine rehabilitation sparked in 2006. She had witnessed the benefits of swimming for her own dogs and was also motivated to help her clients find alternative methods for improving their pets’ quality of life without a focus on medication. She completed the University of Tennessee’s “fast track” program for canine rehabilitation in July 2007, and shortly thereafter co-founded Aqua Dog Rehabilitation LLC. In 2011, she attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Florida to complete her certificate in canine rehabilitation.
Her career in animal care began at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she worked at practices in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and New Jersey before joining Hodes Veterinary Group, a well-regarded veterinary hospital that has been serving Morris County and its surrounding communities since 1980, in 1994. (In 2017, she bought Hodes Veterinary Group, where you can find her still working as part of its veterinary team.)
Did you know?
Kris’s own furry companions—Nuku, Tonga, Yaga and Nautica—are skilled in the American Kennel Club’s sport of obedience as well as Internationale Prufungs-Ordnung (formerly known as Schutzhund), a three-part sport that includes Tracking, Obedience and Protection phases. She is also an avid hiker and gardener.
Physical Therapist
Anita Zack, C.C.M.T.
Our resident dog whisperer, Anita Zack has been working in this field for more than 20 years. Her seemingly infinite canine knowledge, combined with the special, soothing touch she has with all dogs and the patient kindness she exudes with our owner clients, makes her an invaluable member of the Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation team.
In addition to being a certified canine massage therapist (she trained at the Brandenburg Massage Therapy school in Ohio), Anita is an obedience instructor, a professional groomer and a dog boarder. She also had the unique experience of running a sled dog team, competing in local and out-of-state races.
Anita has worked alongside Dr. Kristine Conway since 2007, starting at Aqua Dog Rehabilitation LLC before joining her at the newly opened Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation. She continues to stay on the cusp of new developments in the field through seminars, workshops and on-the-job training—her passion for understanding and improving the lives of dogs and cats is truly inexhaustible.
Did you know?
Anita enjoys playing and training her three pets: Tassi, a border collie; Hannah, a samoyed; and a cat named Dobi. In her free time, she volunteers by singing to residents at a local nursing home—if you ask nicely, she might hum you a tune!
Physical Therapist
Kara Berry
Our Jill-of-all-veterinary-trades, Kara Berry brings her extensive experience in the veterinary field and a true passion for helping animals to her work at Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation.
Kara joined the veterinary profession after graduating from Centenary College (now Centenary University), in Hackettstown, New Jersey, in 2007. A resident of Englishtown, she also currently serves as the head veterinary technician at Rt. 516 Animal Hospital in Old Bridge. She became interested in rehabilitation and alternative therapies after seeing much success with her own dogs and horses—in fact, one of her favorite activities is horseback riding.
Did you know?
When she isn’t busy helping pets at our clinic, Kara can be found in the conformation ring with Capone, one of her two Great Danes. And what is conformation? It’s the official term for a dog show! Her other furry family members include her Jack Russell terrier, Mila; greater Swiss mountain dog, Cecelia; Great Dane Hannah; and a cat, Mrs. Iris Meowington.
Physical Therapist
Carolyn Fisher
Our furry clients can’t get enough of Carolyn Fisher’s healing touch. A certified canine (and equine) massage therapist, she brings more than five years of experience in canine and feline rehab to Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation.
Nurturing and caring for others is essentially in Carolyn’s DNA. She has had a special affinity for animals since she was a little girl, though her passion for helping others extends to people, too. In fact, her professional background is in health and wellness, and when she’s not treating patients at our rehab facility, she provides counseling services for families dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Her motto is truly “love and compassion for all.”
Did you know?
Carolyn is also a certified yoga instructor, which translates well into her work at Aqua Dog and Cat Rehabilitation. At home she practices her downward dogs with Lady Jane, a Pitbull boxer mix, and Nevil, a Jack Russell terrier, and takes inspiration in her cat-cow stretches from her feline family members, Andy and Addie.