About TOUCH

Learn more about our team.

Meet Our Team

  • A woman with curly hair hugging a large white retriever dog indoors.

    Laurel Dutrisac, RVT, CCRP, CCFT

    OWNER, REHABILITATION PRACTITIONER

  • A smiling young woman with short brown hair, wearing a black T-shirt with a small white logo of a hand holding a package, standing against a purple background.

    KAITLYN HUMPHRIES, RVT, CCRP, CSCC

    REHABILITATION PRACTITIONER

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a black T-shirt with a white logo of two hands holding each other, standing against a purple background.

    MELISSA "MISSY" ST. JULES

    PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMER

  • A woman giving a bath to a small dog on a grooming table, with grooming supplies and tools visible in the background.

    MELISSA FROST

    PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMER

  • A woman kneeling on the floor, smiling, with her arm around a large, brindle and white bulldog. They are indoors against a light pink wall.

    LESLEY CAICCO

    PROFESSIONAL GROOMER

A purple building with a white door and three vertical windows, featuring a sign that reads 'TOUCH' and offers grooming, rehabilitation, and obedience services, with a wooden ramp leading to the entrance.

Our Story

Founded by Registered Veterinary Technician, Laurel Dutrisac in 2014, Touch Animal Rehabilitation is already one of the most respected animal physical therapy centres in the North. As an RVT, Laurel loved providing care to the pets of North Bay for over 10 years, but she always wanted to do more. Through rehabilitation and conditioning, Laurel found her passion.

For years, rehabilitation and physical therapy was only something you heard of in humans, until it happened to your pet. As pet owners themselves, the Touch Team understands how costly and heart-breaking an injury or old age can take a toll on you and your pet. With affordable alternatives, your pet does not have to suffer in silence.

From Rehabilitation, to Grooming, to Obedience, TOUCH has multiple ways to help you and your pet. Their quiet, enriched environment allows every staff member to have a connection with every pet and owner that comes to visit.

North Bay’s Choice for Animal Rehabilitation and Pet Grooming

Black puppy with a bright orange ball in its mouth standing inside a glass enclosure.

Rehabilitation

Restore your pet's mobility and comfort. Our expert canine rehabilitation helps pets recover from injuries and improve their quality of life.

A black and white dog sitting on a fluffy white rug with red and black pillows beside it, against a purple wall with decorative white letters in the background.

Grooming

Pamper your pet with our experienced groomers. We offer gentle, knowledgeable care for all breeds, including those with special needs.

A dog sitting on a blue platform with a leash around its neck, looking at a person holding a red toy in an indoor training or play area.

Online Classes

Learn at your own pace with our online pet care classes. Access video and written tutorials anytime, anywhere, and explore our free resources.

Four dogs standing on a black floor, some with purple textured dog toys and a blue rectangular pad nearby.
A black and tan dog standing on a blue balance disc in an indoor training area.
An Australian Shepherd dog with blue eyes running on a grassy field near agility equipment.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a colorful floral shirt, smiles while kneeling on the floor and hugging a large, brown and white bulldog with a broad face and expressive eyes.
A dog with a black, white, and tan coat balancing on gym balls with a person in the background.
A black and white English Springer Spaniel dog sitting on a fluffy white rug with red and black pillows, and a purple wall in the background.
Dog sitting on a blue training pad, looking up at a trainer holding a red and yellow toy in an indoor training facility.
A large, fluffy dog with a thick, curly brown coat standing on a grooming table.
A young dog with a brindle coat sitting on a blue padded mat, reaching up with its front paws towards a woman who is holding a red toy, inside a room with colorful equipment and chairs in the background.
A dog standing on a purple exercise platform in a gym.
A woman in a purple hoodie kneels on a purple mat, taking the pulse of a brown and white dog lying on the mat. The dog has a blue leash and red toy nearby. Medical equipment, including a blood pressure monitor, is positioned on a shelf against a pink
A large Australian Shepherd dog sitting on a blue balance board in a pet training or grooming facility.
A woman feeding a dog in an indoor pet training area with purple walls, a brown mat, and pet training equipment.
A woman kneels on the floor arranging colorful pool noodles while a calico cat stands nearby. The room has tiled flooring, a purple door in the background, and outdoor shower fixtures on the wall.
Cute brown and white puppy sitting on a purple mat with a blue leash, indoors with chairs in the background.
A cute puppy with a white coat and gray patches sitting on a dark floor, looking directly at the camera.
A dog running in a water treadmill at a veterinary or training facility. The machine has measurement markings on the side and water volume indicators, with the dog submerged up to its midsection.
A black and tan German Shepherd dog sitting on the floor of a gym, with two people lying on mats in the background, in a bright, spacious room.
Dog walking on an agility training course with blue and green cones and yellow poles in a gym setting.
Purple building with a sign for Touch grooming, rehabilitation, obedience services, with a wooden ramp leading up to a door and a car parked nearby.
A black dog with long ears standing on a log outdoors, wearing a gray jacket with a high collar.
A dog standing on its hind legs, with front paw resting on a large blue exercise ball in a rehabilitation center with purple walls and the words "TOUCH Animal Rehabilitation" written on the wall.
A dog standing with its paws on purple footstools, against a purple background.
Dog swimming in a pool with its head and front legs above the water, inside a glass enclosure at an indoor facility.

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What Our Customers Say!

  • Michelle

    Laurel and Ellen are very knowledgeable and caring. They are treating our 15 year old dog and are very gentle and kind to her. The therapy seems to be making a difference.

  • Nick

    Takes care of our 14 year old dog Lily beautifully, works with the fact that she can't stand so well anymore and she always moves better after a groom. All staff I have talked to have been friendly and professional, seems like they have a good team. Highly recommend.

  • Dan

    Touch Animal Rehabilitation is a gem of a service in our community. The staff are friendly and professional and really know their stuff. They are positive and provide excellent advice and instructions for the best possible rehab.

  • ~Kelly B~

    This is very simple. Melissa was:
    1. Attentive 2. Respectful 3. Interactive 4. Was able to groom Gracie as we described, including plucking the ears (this is huge) 5. Did not minimize or trivialize what we were asking for… she actually listened 6. We will definitely request Melissa for Gracie’s next grooming.

  • Jody

    Touch Animal Rehabilitation is fantastic! They care for your pet as if it were their own. They are also accommodating and will hold your pet until you are able to pick them up. I’ve always received exceptional service. Be sure to book early as their spots fill up quickly but that shows you how great the team really is!

  • Eva

    Our appointment was very special. Our Beagle is going on 18 years and her mobility was significantly decreased. The appointment was so healing and we appreciate the care given to her. I highly recommend for any dog in need. I only wish we found them sooner :)

  • Kelly

    We took our dog Jemma for grooming this week and our experience was top notch. Everyone was friendly and Brea did an amazing job on Jemma! She was attentive to suggestions with grooming needs and Jemma looked happy and relaxed when we went to pick her up. Thanks again!

  • Claudia

    Laurel and her team were extremely knowledgeable, professional and kind. My dog requires surgery and I am very grateful for Laurel’s insight and experience for pre-op and post-op care to maximize his outcome. I highly recommend Touch Animal rehab without any reservations.

  • Wynne

    Daisy always looks wonderful after her grooming. Missy takes such care with her!

  • Thomas

    Friendly, caring, and knowledgeable staff. Very professional and understanding.

  • Allison

    This is an amazing place! The compassionate and caring approach to rehab is so refreshing! Laurel Kaitlyn and Ellen are very knowledgeable and strived for a positive outcome for my beautiful lab. I would use this service again for sure. I ask myself…why do Vets not inform clients about this place? Prescribing medications and not considering complimentary treatments like rehab., is a disservice to pet owners. Keep doing the wonderful work you do!

  • Maureen

    Touch Animal Rehabilitation is the best … professional, caring, and experts in their field … they helped my dog recover from surgery and free her from pain … North Bay is beyond lucky to have such a facility … the more pet owners that know, the better!

  • Corrina

    For close to 4 years Laurel, Kaitlyn and Ellen at Touch helped my bully mix have a much better quality of life! These people are amazing!!!!