Shackleton - Veterinary Physiotherapy

05/04/2026

Happy Easter to all our clients and followers.

22/03/2026

What an absolute pleasure it's been running our enrichment workshop for the ASZK, and delivering a keynote talk on pain, lameness and management. Met so many passionate people and talked about a lot of interesting cases.

21/03/2026

One of my absolute highlights. I've been busy giving a keynote talk, running workshops and consulting in Australian, but finally seeing a number of Australian species has been an absolute pleasure.

18/03/2026

Is your dog just a lazy sitter, or are they actually in pain?

One of the first things we look for during a clinical assessment is how a dog transitions into and out of a sit, and where they place their weight once they are there.

A comfortable, pain-free dog should be able to sit squarely. This means their back legs are tucked neatly underneath them, with their hocks (ankles) pointing straight back and their stifles (knees) pointing forward.

When a dog sits asymmetrically, they are usually offloading weight between areas. This happens for a few specific clinical reasons:

🦵 Avoiding flexion:
If a dog has arthritis/osteoarthritis in the hock or stifle, or a cruciate ligament injury, bending that joint deeply into a square sit is painful. Splaying the leg out lets them keep the joint straighter.

⚖️ Shifting the centre of gravity:
If one hip or one side of the lower back is sore, they will shift their weight onto the good side. This creates that classic slanted look where one hip is dropped to the floor.

⚡ Nerve irritation:
Dogs with lower back pain often find a tight, square sit puts too much tension on the nerves in their spine. Sitting to the side provides instant slack and relief.

Watch out for these three red flags:

➡️ The lazy or side-sit: Dropping their weight onto one hip with their legs out to the side.

🐸 The frog-sit: Splaying both back legs wide apart.

🐾 The shuffle: Constantly shifting their weight because they cannot get comfortable.

If your dog has a signature lazy sit, it is usually a compensation for a physical restriction elsewhere in the body.

How does your dog usually sit? Let me know in the comments if they are a square-sitter or if you have noticed them leaning to one side!

13/03/2026

Rosie’s Journey 🐾

We often see owners who are frustrated because their dog is intermittently lame. One day they seem fine; the next, they are struggling to settle or acting grumpy.

That was Rosie. Behind her gorgeous Golden Retriever smile, she was dealing with significant nerve irritation in her lower back due to suspected sacroiliac/sciatic impingement.

It wasn't just a limp: it was affecting her ability to play, her posture, and her overall quality of life.

This video shows Rosie at the start and end of our Premium 8-Week Rehabilitation Programme.

To get these results, we focused on:

💊 Targeted pain management:
Working alongside her vet to dampen down that wind-up nerve pain.

🧬 Neural gliding:
Specialised movements designed to move the nerves through the tissues, reducing that zingy irritation and improving mobility.

🧠 Proprioception and poles:
Using focused exercises—like the poles in the video—to retrain her brain’s awareness of where her limbs are in space.

⚖️ Weight management:
Losing 6kg was a game-changer, taking significant mechanical pressure off her spine and joints.

🏠 Home adaptations:
Small changes to her environment to prevent slipping and further tweaks to her back.

The result:

Watch to the end to see Rosie enjoying a cold day with her brother, Angus. She’s not just moving better; she’s happier and back to being her true self.

How to help your own dog:

Nerve discomfort is notoriously hard to spot because it doesn't always look like a limp. We’ve put together a clinical checklist of the hidden signs we look for: from skin twitching and local sensitivity (hyperaesthesia) to sudden pain.

💬 Comment ROSIE below, and we’ll send that checklist to you ASAP.

📞 Ready for professional help? Send us a message with the word CALL to book a free discovery chat with our specialist team.

11/03/2026

Why we always start with your vet 🩺🐾

We often get asked if a pet owner can just skip the vet and come straight to us because their dog is looking a bit stiff or seems painful. While this would be faster, the best approach for effective treatment is always a collaborative one. Here is why:

🩺 Diagnosis first
Lameness is a symptom, not a condition. It could be osteoarthritis, but it could also be a ligament tear, a neurological issue, or even a systemic infection. Only your vet can provide that definitive diagnosis.

⚖️ Legalities and ethics
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for an animal physiotherapist to have veterinary consent before treating an animal. It is there to protect your pet and ensure we have their full medical history before we begin.

🧐 The expert eye
Our job is not to replace your vet; it is to be the movement specialist on their team. We take the diagnosis your vet provides and turn it into a high-level, tailored physical recovery programme.

Think of it like this: your vet is the surgeon or GP; we are the physiotherapists or sports rehab specialists. We work together to ensure your pet does not just get by, but actually thrives.

Already have a diagnosis or noticed your senior pet is slowing down? Send us a DM today to find out how we can work with your vet to get them moving again 📥

10/03/2026

Meet the team behind Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy 🐾

Our mission is simple: to deliver a personal approach for every animal, owner, and environment. We know that no two patients are alike, which is why we don't just offer one-off appointments: we provide comprehensive clinical support.

Swipe through to meet our founders and see why our approach is different.

🎓 Clinical expertise
Our treatment plans are built on years of domestic experience and advanced university teaching. We stay at the forefront of the industry by delivering accredited CPD and providing specialist consultancy for zoo species. We bring that same elite level of care to every dog and cat we see.

✨ The programme difference
We don't just see your pet for an hour and leave you to it. We provide a thorough, supported programme that covers everything from clinical treatment to lifestyle adjustments and home-care coaching. We are with you every step of the way.

🤝 Built on trust
We work closely with your vet through a formal referral process. This ensures our physiotherapy seamlessly supports your animal’s existing medical care and history.

🌿 Individualised care
Following a thorough review of your pet's health, environment, and activity levels, we tailor a unique rehabilitation or prevention plan. We focus on results that suit both your needs and your animal’s lifestyle.

🐾 A calm approach
With a strong foundation in animal behaviour, we prioritise calm, positive reinforcement techniques. This is a major benefit for anxious pets who might find clinical environments stressful.

Whether your pet is recovering from injury or simply slowing down with age, we are here to provide the expert support you both need.

Have you noticed your pet acting differently? We would love to help. Send us a DM to find out more about our assessment process or visit the link in our bio. 📥

04/03/2026

🐾 Is your pet just slowing down, or are they experiencing discomfort? 🐾

It’s easy to write off a slow start in the morning or a lack of interest in play as just getting older. But often, these are signs of chronic low-grade pain that impacts their personality and quality of life.

Whether it's a split-second hesitation before jumping or a change in how they groom themselves, catching these signs early makes a world of difference.

Don’t wait until they limp to take action.

🐾👇 Check out the slides for what to look for, and comment if your pet struggles with their mobility 🐾👇

10/02/2026

'This was an incredible experience run by people who really care about and love their craft.'

'This was so interesting and so well planned out and delivered.'

We'd like to thank and for having us to deliver our lameness workshop at the zoo (attended by UoC student and Keepers from the zoo). We looked at assessing lameness in different taxonomic groups, common pathologies, pain & behaviour and the importance of the keepers role in long-term health and recovery.

Our lameness workshop is available to book for Zoological and educational organisation both in house and within Zoological collections. Get in touch for more details.



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26/01/2026

Exotic vet physio workshop – 11th & 12th April – Tickets have sold fast on our last two cohorts.

We had a lot of interest at the IRVAP and NAVP conferences, and a lot of requests for a weekend date. So thought we would trial a weekend this year.

Book here -https://shackletonvetphysio.com/product/veterinary-physiotherapy-for-exotic-animals-workshop/

Hear from one of our past attendees!
'I really enjoyed what felt like just scratching the surface in a massive new field; the application of veterinary physiotherapy for exotic species, and overall the course is very thought provoking. The practical skills that we gained are invaluable and applicable to all species. I have found that in particular the behavioural and environmental considerations - and what we can do with these aspects - have really enhanced my equine and small animal practice allowing me to think outside the constraints of standard practice which can often leave some of our patients, particularly those that won’t tolerate a lot of hands-on treatment and management, overlooked. I highly recommend the course and will be looking out for more to come from Shackleton veterinary Physiotherapy.'
- Ruth C. 2024 - Exotics VP Course 2024

Why enroll on our course:
Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy
As well as working as zookeepers and having a wealth of experience in teaching zoo sciences and Veterinary Physiotherapy at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, we have delivered zoo consultancy, physiotherapy, and CPD services to several major UK zoos, and beyond. As well as delivering CPD to zoo vets, nurses, Zookeepers and organisation, including Chester ZOO, London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Melbourne Zoo, Singapore Zoo, Crocodiles of the World, Detroit Zoo (USA), The American Association of Zookeepera and Crocodile Bank (India). We regularly treat a variety of exotic species ranging from great apes, rhinos, giraffe, large carnivores and Komodo dragons, to pet exotics such as Parrots, Rabbits, and bearded dragons. We also hold a number of unique memberships and clinical positions in zoological and veterinary organisations such as the BVZS, British Association of Zookeepers, and Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance.

The Venue:
Askham Bryan is considered one of the leading educational zoological collections in the UK, has a passionate team of experienced zookeepers, and welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually. As well as being an educational collection for delivering courses from college to university level, it actively participates in research and conservation projects from the UK and worldwide. It is an active member of The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It boasts a contemporary animal center, with high-quality interpretive/education design, and well-themed enclosures to enhance animal welfare and the visitor experience (that is an expectation of the modern zoological collection).

Guest lecturers and industry experts:
This new course has been a long time in the making, and is delivered by 4 experts from their respective fields, Between them they have worked within major zoological collections, and have been actively involved in research, conservation, veterinary care, training, husbandry, education and the mentorship of zoological and veterinary professionals. Our two guest lecturers were chosen not just because of their reputation and success in their respective industries, but because of their passion and drive for the continued improvement of animal welfare.

Some more of our amazing feedback from our cohorts:
"This was an amazing course! I have learnt so much and it was a perfect mix of practical and theory. The lecturers were exceptionally knowledgeable. I only wish it could have been longer. I’ll be back for the next instalments!!"

"This was an incredible course, never heard off and full of interesting and mind-blowing information. Matthew and the whole team (Louise, Lauren and Caitlin) were incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. We managed to work with a great variety of species who all had different needs and requirements. I cannot wait till I am able to come to another course with the Shackleton team!!!! Such an exciting CPD!!!! Many thanks Greta C."

"Great introduction into the implementation of physio and its uses for exotic animals. Was informative and interesting. Also has a great element into widening how to address physiotherapeutic techniques in potentially more nervous animals that require more outside the box thinking. Would love to attend further courses!"

24/01/2026

Really looking forward to speaking at this event next week. Im very passionate about the role of lifestyle and enrichment, in pain and arthritis management. We will look at how approaches in medical sciences are being emulated in contemporary veterinary research, and how enrichment can fill an important role in are pathological and geriatric animals, as help to maintain health in or pets and zoo animals.

🐾 White Rabbit Academy: Animal Professionals Networking Evening 🐾
Are you an animal professional looking to connect with like-minded peers and expand your expertise? Join us for an evening of networking and high-level professional development!

We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Shackleton, a leading Veterinary Physiotherapist, for an insightful presentation on Enrichment for Physical Health.

🗓 Event Details
When: 28th January | 6.45 PM
Where: Business centre (Coleg Cambria), Holywell Road, Northop, Mold CH7 6AA
Cost:
White Rabbit Members: FREE
One-off Tickets: £20

🎙 About the Speaker: Matthew Shackleton
Matthew brings industry-leading knowledge to the field of veterinary physiotherapy. Based in Chester, he and his team at Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy are renowned for their evidence-based, individualised approach to animal care.

Why you won’t want to miss his talk:

Expertise in Exotics & Zoo Species: Matthew is one of the few Veterinary Physiotherapists uniquely qualified and insured to treat specialist zoo species both nationally and internationally.

Academic & Published Authority: As a lecturer and published author (contributing to scientific texts on geriatric captive animals), Matthew bridges the gap between advanced university research and practical, real-world treatment.

Evidence-Based Enrichment: Learn how to move beyond basic welfare to "Functional Enrichment"—understanding how environment and husbandry adjustments can actively support musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation, and the prevention of mobility issues.

Whether you work with domestic dogs and cats or specialist exotic species, Matthew’s "individualised approach" offers invaluable insights into helping animals achieve their best movement and long-term health.

🤝 Why Attend?
Network: Build relationships with other professionals in the Flintshire and Chester animal care community.

Learn: Gain CPD-level insights from a zoo consultancy expert.

Grow: Share experiences and collaborate on ways to improve animal wellbeing across the industry.

Secure your spot now and join the conversation!

Sign up to membership:
www.whiterabbitacademy.co.uk

One off ticket:
https://buy.stripe.com/28E00jcqF7cEczBcJfgw005

14/01/2026

Reptile enrichment workshop.
Last year we hosted our reptile enrichment workshop at Crocodiles of the world. We covered modern research on health, fitness and pain, and the important role of enrichment in the health and longevity of animals in our care. We looked at other areas, such as anatomy and how our choices and enrichment designs can positively or negatively impacting welfare.

Attendees were able to use case studies from around the collection and trial different materials, and enrichment designs, and apply their new knowledge.

We will be running it again this year, but workshops are also available to book in house or at collections, for students, veterinary and zoo professionals