Animal Physiotherapist |PAW Positive Animal Wellness

What does a typical day look like for you? 

I start seeing between 3-7 dogs daily depending on whether I am mobile or in my clinic. I will see dogs with various conditions ranging from Osteoarthritis to more complex neurological disorders.

How did you get your job? / What training, degree, education do you need? 

I have a BSc in Equine Science followed by a post graduate diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy. The profession has come on immensely from when I qualified 11 years ago and there is now a degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. 

What are the most important skills needed for your role/job? 

Patience and compassion as my job also involves building a relationship with the owner as well as the dog. Being able to think outside the box and continually reflect on the dog’s progress as every dog is different. Being able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to get the full picture.

Are there any future skills you will need to learn for your role? 

In order to be part of the governing bodies RAMP and IRVAP I need to undertake 25 hours CPD every year. Techniques are constantly changing with newer research, so I have to keep up to date.

What is the best part of your job? / What motivates you in this role?

Being able to see dogs every day and improving their quality of life. Seeing them progress from a quiet, stiff dog into a bouncy full of life dog.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your profession? 

Gain some practical experience with a qualified professional to make sure this is something you want to do. You need to also be a people person as well as a dog person as a lot of the time it’s about talking to the owner and gaining their trust. 

What is on your bucket list and why? 

To run all the marathons in the Major series (Boston, London, Berlin, New York, Chicago and Tokyo) It’s hard to get places due to the vast applicants and you need to quality for Boston to be able to apply.