Advance Veterinary Physiotherapy

28/01/2026

Reactive, nervous and anxious dogs 🩵

Unfortunately, not all dogs will be this relaxed during their physiotherapy sessions, but that absolutely does not mean physiotherapy isn’t an option for them.

I’m often asked by owners whether reactive, nervous, or anxious dogs can still benefit from physiotherapy.

In short: yes, they can.

Physiotherapy doesn’t always require lots of hands-on work. In many cases, I choose a more hands-off approach, allowing the dog to work at their own pace while we build trust together. Using functional assessments and exercise-based therapy, we can still achieve meaningful and effective treatment without pushing the dog beyond their comfort zone.

I will never punish or blame a dog for reacting the way they do. Often, this behaviour is simply the only way they know how to communicate discomfort or fear. With time, patience, and consistency, many dogs begin to trust me more, and when that happens, hands-on techniques can sometimes be introduced later on, if and when the dog is ready.

23/01/2026

Winter is well and truly here, wet, dark, and not exactly inviting. And I’ll admit it… I’m a fair-weather queen 🫢 I really don’t enjoy riding in the rain.

So winter becomes my perfect excuse to lean into groundwork instead.

Today I had no time to ride, so we headed out for a pole work session in the dark and drizzle. No brushing mud off, rug stayed on so he stayed dry, and we just focused on us.

Honestly? It was lovely. He was engaged, relaxed, happy to be with me, no lead rope needed, and it was exactly what I needed too.

Spending time out of the saddle gives you such a valuable opportunity to really observe your horse. How do they move? Do they clear poles easily? Do they struggle to turn or balance? All without the interference of a rider. Groundwork also does not have to involve poles, there is so much you can do just to add variety to your horse's work.

Sometimes the quiet, soggy winter sessions turn out to be the most rewarding ones. 🤍🐴

31/12/2025

As we step into a new year, I can’t help but look back on what an incredible year 2025 has been! ✨

This year was filled with progress, perseverance, small wins that turned into big milestones, and so many moments that reminded me why I love what I do, with every patient bringing something special.

To my amazing clients: thank you for your trust, your commitment, and for always putting your animals first. Your dedication makes all the difference.

To the dogs who wagged through their rehab, the horses who tried their hardest every session, and the cats who tolerated us (in their own special way 😄), thank you for your patience, resilience, and personalities that made every day brighter.

Every stretch, stride, and step forward in 2025 was a team effort, and I’m so grateful to have been part of your journeys. Here’s to everything we achieved together and to even more progress, strength, and happy movement in the year ahead.

Thank you for an amazing 2025, bring on the new year! 🐾🐴💙

25/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas 🎁

Wishing all our wonderful clients, furry patients, and four-legged athletes a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for trusting me with your animals’ care throughout the year, it’s been a pleasure keeping them comfortable, moving well, and feeling their best.

I hope the holidays are filled with rest, joy, good food, and plenty of cuddles (and maybe a few extra treats). Here’s to a healthy, happy, and active year ahead!

15/10/2025

It's been a busy few weeks seeing lots of lovely animals and helping them feel their best!
I've also been keeping up with my professional development to make sure I stay up to date and provide the best possible care. ❤️

03/09/2025

🐾 Is Your Dog in Pain? The Signs May Be Subtle 🐾

I’ve had many thoughtful conversations with owners recently about pain and pain management in dogs. Questions often come up like:
💭 “Do you think my dog is in pain?”
💭 “What do you think about pain medications?”
💭 “Most importantly, what can I do to help my dog?”

The truth is, dogs are masters at hiding pain. Unlike us, they can’t tell us when something hurts and often the signs are so subtle they’re easy to miss. This is especially true with chronic pain, which develops gradually and can quietly affect your dog’s comfort, movement, and quality of life over time.

Some things to watch for:
👉 Changes in posture or the way they move
👉 Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or play like they used to
👉 Licking or chewing at a specific spot
👉 Changes in behaviour like becoming quieter, grumpier, or more withdrawn
👉 Stiffness after rest, or slowing down on walks

💡 If you notice any of these, don’t dismiss them as “just getting older.” Pain is not a normal part of aging, and there are things we can do to help.

How physiotherapy can help?
✅ Help localise areas of discomfort in your dog
✅ Manage pain
✅ Improve mobility, strength, and comfort through tailored exercises and therapies
✅ Give you practical strategies to make daily life easier and more enjoyable for your dog

🐶 Our dogs give us so much, helping them live as comfortably and happily as possible is one of the best ways we can give back.

If you’d like to learn more about how physio can help your dog, feel free to reach out. 💙

14/08/2025

➡️ Spotlight on Laser therapy ⬅️

I have been getting a lot of questions regarding what Laser therapy is, the benefits and how to use it.

🔎 What is it?
Laser therapy or photobiomodulation is a form of therapy where tissues are exposed to red and near-infrared light. The light will stimulate the cells and tissue to boost circulation, speed up healing, reduce pain and inflammation. The best of all, it is pain free!

The benefits!
✅ Non-invasive, pain free therapy
✅ Safe therapy - backed by research
✅ Effective - improvements can be seen after just a few sessions.

👉 When it can be used
✅ Reduce pain and inflammation in dogs with arthritis
✅ Promote healing after surgery or injury
✅ Speed up wound healing
✅ Improve muscle tone and treat trigger points

Most pets enjoy receiving Laser therapy and I love being able to use it during sessions to help your pet feel their best ❤️

14/08/2025

Take a look at these amazing visuals from Anna Balch Dog Trainer.

Pain is often subtle and frequently missed. Please contact a professional if in doubt!

11/08/2025

Yes, cats can also do physiotherapy!!

03/08/2025

July has been a whirlwind 🐕🐴

Between moving my horses to their new home, getting a new car, going on holiday, and juggling my business, it has been non-stop and incredibly rewarding.

Enjoying discovering some new hacking and a giant cup of coffee ☕ before August takes over. It is already promising to be a very busy one!

28/07/2025

I had the most heartwarming day at the NAWT Animal Human Bond event yesterday! 💛

It was such a lovely experience meeting so many wonderful people and their equally lovely dogs. The bond between humans and animals truly is something special, and yesterday was a beautiful reminder of that.

Big thanks to National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire for organizing such a meaningful event. Can’t wait for the next one! 🐶✨

24/07/2025

New noseband study just released.

A tight noseband has such significant effects and still we can see it daily. Often it is owners not knowing rather than consciously tightening it to be cruel.

Read about some of the findings below:
📉 Stride length reduced by 24cm
💥 Pressure increased by 338% between standard noseband settings
😱 Levels of pressure that in other species would cause pain and tissue damage.

Please check your noseband before your next ride. This is such an easy, low effort way to increase your horse's comfort levels and welfare and contact a bridle fitter if needed!

A new scientific study co-authored by Animalweb’s own Dr David Marlin in conjuction with Anglia Ruskin University students Emily Hopkins and Stacie Whitrod and ARU Writtle Associate Professor of Animal Biomechanics and Sports Medicine and School Research Lead Dr Roberta Blake, has found that tight...