Shackleton - Veterinary Physiotherapy

It was an absolute pleasure to attend and speak at my second . It was an honor to be asked to join the clinical panel back in 2024, and to get to meet and work alongside the phenomenal people who make up the VOA.

I delivered two lectures: one on reptile musculoskeletal health, and another on feline pain identification and facilitating treatment in cats (given natural history as mesopredators). I also recorded an episode for the Nupsala Ltd (Part of the Nupsala Group) Podcast, which was an absolute pleasure.

I was lucky enough to catch talks by the amazing Stuart Carmichael, Nichi Cockburn, Elisabetta Mancinelli, Maria Johnston, and Laura Allmark.

rehabilitation

🐾 ZOO MINDSET FOR ARTHRITIC DOGS 🐾

Ever wondered what a lizard and a senior Labrador have in common?

More than you think. In this snippet from my chat with Hannah at Canine Arthritis Management (members podcast), I dive into why environmental management is a complete game-changer for arthritic dogs.

Before working with domestic pets, my world was zoo animals. As a zookeeper and zoo physiotherapist, managing the surroundings wasn't an afterthought. It was the foundation of health. In the zoo world, we know habitat dictates biology. You cannot keep a reptile healthy without precise lighting and temperature gradients. It can also be challenging to maintain health if we have restrictions in natural behaviour.

The environment directly drives physical and mental health.This exact zoo mindset informs my domestic practice every single day. Our homes are habitats.

For a dog with arthritis, minor household tweaks can reduce pain and stress faster than medication alone.

LET'S CHAT: What is one micro-change you have made to your home to help your dog get around easier? (Rugs, ramps, raised bowls?) Let me know in the comments!

🔗 WANT MORE? Drop the word "ENVIRONMENT" below, and I will send you a free resource to get you started.