Chartered Physiotherapist, Veterinary Physiotherapist , K9 Clinical Hydrotherapist Specialist and Accredited Clinical Educator
My journey in physiotherapy started in the 1970’s and as a qualified Chartered Physiotherapist in 1982 I was incredibly fortunate and grateful to have amazing mentoring from inspirational colleagues, whilst working in the NHS for fourteen years.
Moving into an overlap of private practice and specialising in hydrotherapy, paediatrics, neuro-musculoskeletal, orthopaedics, mental health and wellbeing. I explored the possibility of uniting my great passions of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dogs, which at that time was unheard of and there were only a few equine practices established.
Going to university as a mature postgraduate on the world’s first Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London was interesting! successfully completing my studies and achieving a Masters of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2002 was a wonderful start.
My dual focus on clinical practice and educational pathways, has been a part of my career since the 1980’s. As an Approved Training Provider, K9HS Courses established a holistic educational ethos of a friendly, inclusive and high quality training service. My focus was to offer exciting experiences and opportunities to advance canine therapeutic and clinical skills, supported by a sound scientific knowledge base. This was unique at the time as courses were predominantly equine biased.
If you are a therapist passionate about working with dogs and advancing your clinical skills, wherever you are on your career journey, then the K9 Therapy Hub has the perfect CPD for you.
My canine **clinical practice in Suffolk (2007 - 2024), opened as a satellite centre for the Royal Veterinary College’s canine practical components for their Master of Science programme in Veterinary Physiotherapy. We offered an integrated service of canine physiotherapy, clinical hydrotherapy, rehabilitation and behavioural solutions. As a problem solver and solution maker for complex movement dysfunction cases, my team embraced my practice ethos of being dog centred and holistic, working with the dog’s consent and supporting their owners.
As the first UK Accredited Clinical Educator in Veterinary Physiotherapy (awarded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy), my clinical and educational perspective and practice ethos combines over 30 years of lecturing experience with extensive canine clinical skills. I wanted to break the cycle of expensive courses with limited practical training and access, by developing a series of exciting, interactive and dynamic training opportunities provided by K9HS Courses.
This includes over a decade at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, five years at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham and three years with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and Animal Therapists (ACPAT) Core Knowledge and Skills (CK&S) Course.
I love the challenge of creating courses, delivering training and creating innovative and enriched clinical practical experiences in canine physiotherapy, k9 rehabilitation and clinical hydrotherapy.
I am committed to empowering therapists to achieve clinical excellence and sustainable ethical practices.
I am truly grateful to my influencers and inspirational colleagues who have supported and inspired my journey in canine physiotherapy, rehabilitation and clinical hydrotherapy. I am committed to continuing this journey and to openly give back to the industry.
The Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) 2017 award for significant contribution to the canine hydrotherapy industry -
As a past Chair of the Professional Association; **Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP)** from May 2019 - August 2024, I have witnessed this not for profit organisation grow into a significant professional organisation in the UK.