Jerman Scholar: Natalie Stanley

Natalie Stanley, second year BSc Veterinary Physiotherapy student, and recipient of a Jerman Scholarship.

“I would love to take the opportunity to promote Veterinary Physiotherapy to the public, especially within the rural economy. I believe that the association with the Jerman Scholarship may help in giving livestock farmers information on how a physiotherapist may help to increase livestock production”, says Natalie, 19.

“I would like to thank the Jerman family for their generous award. With this I will be able to purchase more books that are on my reading list, which I may use for years to come. I would like to purchase journal subscriptions such as Veterinary times, Animal therapy and many others that may help with my studies, all of which I can share with my peers for them to get the benefit too. I also plan to use some of the scholarship award towards veterinary conferences, which will give me further knowledge of the newest research and advancements in physiotherapy.”

Natalie, from Sutton, has a personal story driving her career choice. “I have spent many years in and out of hospitals. Having broken my arm and having surgery to repair it, as well as various other aliments including a joint condition, I have had to have physiotherapy myself. The improvement I gained from it inspired me to help animals in the same way.

“My Cat Herbie was also an inspiration to my wanting to be a Veterinary Physiotherapist. When he was young he had a trauma to his left hind leg, cutting off the blood and nervous supply to the leg. This left him with a ‘floating hip’ where a fibrous replacement eventually grew. He struggled for a while to regain his mobility but overtime he was able to regain full range of motion and was back to leaping around the garden. I believe that with physiotherapy he could have been back to this stage much faster, and hopefully wouldn’t have developed Joint pain and eventually arthritis.”

Natalie’s interest in animals extends well beyond her course. “When I’m not studying, I horse ride, walk dogs and locum as an Auxiliary Nurse as much as I possibly can. I also spend time on the Harper Adams dairy unit, helping feed calves and milk the cows.”