The Animal Physiotherapist

15/11/2025

Today Ivy helped with research in the Paws Lab at St Andrews University looking into dog behaviour and communication. Ivy was an absolute star and loved playing with new toys as part of the study 😍

11/11/2025

05/11/2025

How I help my dog cope with Fireworks night.

05/11/2025

How do you help your pets cope with bonfire night?

Let’s share our tips in the comments.

04/11/2025

This gorgeous girl really enjoyed her physiotherapy session and had a lovely relaxed afternoon afterwards😍.

It’s very rewarding being able to make such a difference to dog’s lives with physiotherapy 🐾🐕👍

29/10/2025

Halloween is here!

This can be a confusing time for our dogs and preparing them can help them cope. Here are 3 easy ways;

1. Costume introduction: If you plan to dress up for Halloween, it can help to introduce the costume gradually. Start by letting your dog sniff and explore the costume before putting it on. Then, gradually increase the duration of wearing the costume, rewarding your dog with treats and praise to create positive associations. This also applies if you plan to dress your dog up as well.

2. Desensitization to decorations: Halloween decorations can be overwhelming for dogs. To prepare your dog, gradually introduce them to Halloween-themed decorations in a controlled environment. Start with less scary decorations and gradually increase the exposure. Reward your dog for calm behavior and provide a safe space for them to retreat if needed.

3. Safe and quiet space: On Halloween night, create a safe and quiet space for your dog to retreat to. This can be a separate room or a designated area with their bed, toys, and water. Keep them away from the front door to minimize stress from trick-or-treaters. Consider playing calming music or using pheromone diffusers to help create a relaxing environment.

Remember, every dog is unique, so it's important to consider their individual needs and comfort levels when preparing them for Halloween. What have you found helps your dog? Helpful suggestions welcome in comments.

27/10/2025

“How to Spot if Your Cat is Saying ‘Ouch’ Without Words 🐾😿”

Cats are masters of disguise — they rarely cry out in pain, but you can still spot subtle signs like:

👀 Reduced jumping or climbing
😿 Licking or biting one spot more than usual
😾 Changes in grooming habits
💤 More hiding or sleeping

Early detection = better comfort and care.

💬 Have you noticed any subtle signs in your cat? Share your experiences in the comments.

📣 Always seek veterinary advice if you’re worried about your cat’s comfort. Physiotherapy may help after diagnosis.

25/10/2025

Congratulations to this year’s ’Therapet of the Year’!

More will be posted about this event, Therapet and Canine Concern Scotland Trust in the next few days, and its special significance to The Animal Physiotherapist. But for now, well done Dougie and Bonnie⭐️

Congratulations to all the nominated therapets and their fantastic volunteers. It was a wonderful event to be part of today 🐾🐕🐶🐾

The WINNER of 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 is: 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞, a 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐡𝐢 very proudly owned by volunteer 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐞 and 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 from East Kilbride 🐾💜🐾💜🐾💜🐾
Picture Below; Volunteer 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐞 with 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐭®𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞
(𝘋𝘰𝘨 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺; 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘵𝘥)
Picture courtesy of "Euan Duff "
Congratulations to all the nominees for "Therapet of the Year" and to all the other main awards winners today
All the Award Winners for 2025 will be listed on the CCST website/social media over the next few days
Therapet Canine Concern Scotland Trust Therapet Canine Crew Burns Pet Nutrition Volunteer Scotland NHS Lanarkshire NHS Scotland Education Scotland
www.therapet.org.uk

24/10/2025

“Movement Challenge: Celebrate Safe, Happy Motion!”

🎉 Let’s celebrate our dogs' amazing bodies — with some safe, simple movement fun!

If your dog is happy, healthy, and vet-cleared for activity, try one of these gentle, low-impact challenges and tag us:

🐾 Sit-to-stand transitions (pay close attention to their posture)
🐾 A slow figure of 8 walk
🐾 Walking over a soft rolled-up towel or pole (helps with paw awareness)

🎥 Post a clip or pic and use the hashtag

Let’s fill our feeds with strong, joyful, wiggly dogs!

🐕‍🦺 Have a dog in recovery, or with movement limitations?
We’d still love to hear from you — share what gentle activities they enjoy (like snuffle mats, scentwork, or vet-approved enrichment). Every dog’s journey is worth celebrating. 💛

📣 Please note: This challenge is for dogs who are not showing signs of pain, lameness, or stiffness. If you're unsure about your dog’s movement or have any concerns about their health or wellbeing, please seek advice from your vet.

22/10/2025

“5 Fun Ways to Keep Your Cat Moving and Happy 🐈🎉”

Keeping your cat active is key to their health! Try mixing it up with:

🎾 Interactive toys
🧶 Feather wands
📦 Cardboard box obstacle courses
🏃‍♀️ Short play sessions multiple times a day
🌿 Cat-friendly climbing spots

💬 What’s your cat’s favourite way to play?

📣 If your cat has mobility issues or recent injuries, consult your vet before trying new exercises or activities. Only try suggestions if appropriate for your pet. Physiotherapy intervention can be a helpful way to keep your feline friend fit and active as well as recovering from illness or injury.

20/10/2025

“Warm-Up or Wandering? 🎠”

Be honest: Is your horse’s “warm-up” actually just a scenic wander around the arena with occasional snacking? 😅

A proper warm-up doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does need to:
🔥 Get muscles warm
🎯 Prepare the body for work
💪 Reduce the chance of injury

💬 What’s your warm-up go-to? Long rein walk? Pole work? Spirals of confusion? Please post in comments.

📣 Quick heads-up: If your horse is consistently stiff, reluctant, or uneven, it is advisable to have them checked by your vet. Physiotherapists and other equine professionals work under veterinary referral to support movement and recovery.

17/10/2025

“Agility A-Z: Pick a Letter!”

🐕 Agility Handlers – Let’s do something fun!

Drop a letter in the comments, and we’ll reply with a physio-related tip, exercise, or piece of kit starting with that letter!

A = Active Recovery
B = Balance Pads
C = Core Strength... and so on!

Let’s build the Agility A-Z together this October.

📣 Please note: These are general educational ideas, not medical advice. If your dog is injured or showing lameness, please seek veterinary attention.