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Lets Talk Euthanasia

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It is often an unpleasant and usually avoided topic.   But it is of the upmost importance that we discuss and understand it.   Because almost every animal owner will have to make the decision and have their animal humanely euthanised.   Now, I am very black and white when it comes to death.   It’s going to happen, it’s inevitable, therefore it’s easier to accept it. But being accepting of death certainly doesn’t make the loss of a beloved pet any easier.   Yet, it’s often so much harder in the days and weeks leading up to the realisation that they’re nearing the end and may require you to make the decision of euthanasia.   And it’s the uncertainty that makes it hard.   How do you know you’re doing the right thing?   How do you know when it’s time?   What if they somehow got better?   And I have no magical answer for you, the truth is what most people say – they will tell you when it’s time. ...
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Is Vet Physio Effective?

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 In the grand scheme of veterinary medicine, veterinary physiotherapy is relatively new.   It is therefore fairly understandable why some veterinarians, owners, and other animal professionals still consider vet physio a bit of a ‘fad’ or a ‘snake oil’ therapy.   This is always sad for me to hear as I have undertaken a 4-year honours degree in veterinary physiotherapy, and I have seen the effects first hand.   I am only one person, but I am very much a ‘see it to believe it’ type.   If I thought vet physio was any kind of fad, or pseudoscience. I certainly wouldn’t have spend the time, effort and money to become a vet physio. Nor would I be putting myself under the stress of building a business or trying to make myself the best vet physio I possibly can be. But it does make a difference. A significant difference in many cases. (See the video of RF therapy on SIJ discomfort here): https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17AsgRiQzE/    I th...
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The Inside Scoop of the Grooming Industry

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Before I qualified as a vet physio, and started my business, I was a full-time equine groom.   I started grooming at 19, and have worked at a range or different yards, for different types of people, and within different disciplines.   I have worked for an equine charity, at a livery yard, a private hunting & showing yard, a private eventing yard, a private western reining yard, a racehorse rehab & pre-training yard, and at a high-end show-jumping yard.   And although this vast experience of different horses and work environments has been invaluable for my equine knowledge, and vet physio career. It drilled into me again and again that grooming is a hard career path, often with very little progression or recognition.   One or two yards out of all of them were respectful and appreciative of my experience and knowledge.   Most of them treated me like how they treat most grooms – you’re just a dog’s body. But you must have a wealth of exper...
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My Unsung Inspiration

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Following from my last blog about why I decided to become a vet physio, I also wanted to write about the horse who was probably actually the biggest inspiration of all.   My Barney. And I didn’t really connect the dots until recently when I commented on a fellow vet physios Facebook post.   But he was what put the idea of vet physio into my head.   I acquired Barney whilst I was grooming at a private hunting and showing yard.   My boss’s close friend owned Barney and had decided that he should start to take a back seat, and enjoy a slower pace of life.   He had come to stay with us previously when he had a tendon injury & I thought he was lovely!   One of those who’s a very kind soul but could definitely pull cheeky tricks out of the bag when he wanted to!   *Flashbacks to the Badminton fun ride where I had NO brakes for 2 hours!* I thought that he would be offered to my boss, but it transpired that I was the person ...
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Why I became a Vet Physio

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 Why did I become a vet physio?   Money.   The end.   I joke of course!   … You can’t make money working with animals :’) Becoming a vet physio wasn’t a long-term game plan of mine.   To be honest, I’ve never had a long-term game plan, I still don’t!   I remember the idea first came to my head when I was working as a groom.   I was working on a private, high-end eventing yard in the Cotswolds.   I was well paid, had accommodation included, and the workload was perfectly manageable (most of the time).   Then, one day I had a sudden realisation that my grooming career had potentially peaked.   I wouldn’t have minded, but I was 24, I couldn’t be at the height yet?   Plus, I had been a groom for over 5 years at this point, and although I loved it, I didn’t love the idea of doing it forever.   I’ll write a blog in due course about why that is … it’ll be a long one!   I’...
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