Dr. Leilani Alvarez is the Director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation & Fitness Service and head of our Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine Department. Dr. Alvarez is one of few specialists worldwide that is board certified in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. She has been practicing rehabilitation medicine for over a decade. Her advanced training specializes her skills in diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries such as joint injuries, ligament and tendon tears, and spinal injuries. Dr. Alvarez utilizes Integrative Medicine, which combines modern conventional approaches with Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Integrative Medicine includes therapies such as regenerative medicine (stem cells and platelet rich plasma), physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, spinal manipulation and herbal medicine, which help to increase the overall health of a patient and can often increase the success of conventional treatments.

Dr. Alvarez was the founder of a successful Integrative Medicine service at Katonah Bedford Veterinary Specialty Hospital prior to joining the staff of the AMC. She completed her rotating surgical and medicine internship and residency at AMC. She is also fluent in Spanish. Dr. Alvarez is a renowned national and international lecturer, research scientist, and accomplished author of peer-reviewed articles. She is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious John Sherman Award for Excellence in Veterinary Rehabilitation.

She leads one of only 5 accredited residencies nationwide for training residents in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. Her research interests include soft tissue and sports injuries, geriatric medicine, joint supplements and nutraceuticals.

Dr. Kara Amstutz graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Along with her husband, Dwight, she established Hometown Veterinary Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, in 2002. Kara holds a special place in her heart for pets who suffer from pain and mobility issues. In 2010, she began her studies in advanced pain management for her patients, eventually leading to her becoming a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) through the IVAPM in 2013. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) in 2013. In 2014, River Canine Rehabilitation was started, functioning as a small practice within Hometown Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Kara became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through IVAS in 2019. 

Kara achieved her lifelong dream of completing a 5-year non-traditional residency program through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine in 2023. She is now a board-certified specialist, equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to help her patients even more effectively.

In 2020, Dwight and Kara decided to move out of general veterinary practice ownership and sold Hometown Veterinary Hospital. In February 2022, they took over Canine Rehabilitation Institute, a post-graduate certification program for veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary nurses in rehabilitation and acupuncture. Kara teaches many courses to new veterinary rehabilitation professionals worldwide.

Her path has come full circle by opening Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Along with the team from the former River Canine Rehabilitation, she will continue to put her passion for patient care, client education, and providing these much-needed services in the Springfield community.