Turning passion into profession: Fin’s Veterinary Physiotherapy journey

Have you ever had a passion for something, but not known where it could take you? Sometimes, finding the right career is about discovering where your interests and ambitions fit together.

For Fin Davies, from Cardiff, a lifelong passion for animals and a fascination with how they move eventually led him to veterinary physiotherapy – a career path he hadn’t even realised existed. At Harper Adams, he’s been able to turn that passion into a career path, combining the things he loves while helping animals on their journey to recovery.

Now in his fourth year, he looks back on his time ahead of graduation and the exciting prospect of starting his career.

Fin said: “I’ve always had a passion for animals and a strong interest in animal biology with a particular interest in biomechanics and kinesiology – why animals move and how they do it.

“Originally, I wanted to study veterinary medicine without realising veterinary physiotherapy was a career path. I didn’t feel veterinary medicine was the right course for me but continued with my application to the Harper & Keele Vet School.

“After submitting my application, I did some further research and found the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapy course.

“The course immediately stood out to me as it was significantly more aligned to my interests and what I wanted in a career. I was incredibly lucky to offered veterinary physiotherapy, and it felt like all the pieces fell into place for me.”

The course combined many of his passions, including animals, movement, rehabilitation, all while being able to build a personal bond with the patient and their owners – a huge part of what attracted him to veterinary physiotherapy.

“I’ve really valued the hands-on and practical approach taken, particularly learning from lecturers and clinical educators who have come from into veterinary physiotherapy through a variety of different pathways, as well as the excellent facilities, resources and equipment on campus. One of the highlights for me was the dissection session to physically see the muscles, joints and connective soft tissues to bring to life what we learnt in lectures.

“The teaching is consistently high quality, with approachable lecturers and clinical educators who are happy to answer all questions and share their knowledge and experience. The facilities are amazing, especially the Veterinary Education Centre (VEC) with the underwater treadmill, pool, wide range of electrotherapies and remedial exercise equipment.

"Throughout my fourth year, I tried to put myself forward for as many opportunities as possible, both independently and when opportunities have been suggested by my lecturers. I have always tried to make the most out every experience outside of course requirements.

"Some of the opportunities I’ve been involved in include speaking with Ben the Vet and observing a veterinary committee interview with veterinary surgeons about the reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which was broadcast to Westminster."

 

 

 

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 Like many of our students, Fin undertook a placement year – a great opportunity to apply what he’s learned to a real-life setting. He returned to Cardiff, where he approached a canine referral clinic that works closely with both veterinary surgeons and veterinary physiotherapists.

He said: “My placement year was hugely beneficial. It gave me the opportunity to experience real clinical cases and work alongside a multidisciplinary team, including vets, physios, animal care assistants and owners. It also allowed me to build valuable connections within the industry, while putting into practice the knowledge and skills I had developed during my first two years at Harper Adams.

“One of the biggest things I learnt during my placement was that rehabilitation is not always linear, and there isn’t necessarily one single correct way to approach a case.

“Being exposed to these different approaches helped me develop my clinical reasoning and taught me to think outside the box – I learned to consider the individual patient, their presentation and their response to treatment, and adapt my approach accordingly.”

Placement can feel like a big step up from a university environment, so it’s important that our students feel supported throughout – both academically and personally.

Fin said: “The lecturers and clinical educators were approachable and available to answer any questions or concerns. Knowing that I could contact the university if I needed advice was really reassuring and made the transition from university into a clinical environment much easier.”

As we head into September, graduation is on the horizon, marking an exciting new chapter as our students prepare to take the next steps in their careers.

For Fin, it’s been a chance to reflect on his time with us, the experiences he’s gained and how far he’s come. But rather than seeing graduation as the end of his journey, he sees it as the beginning of something even more exciting.

He said: “Four years sounds like a long time but my time at Harper Adams has flown by and, most importantly, how many memories I made with my mates.  

“Finishing my dissertation and finding out I passed my exams were definitely some of my monumental moments of my time at Harper Adams. That felt like defining achievement after the hard work I had put in throughout the course, and seeing my project come together and knowing I had developed those skills throughout my degree was incredibly rewarding.

“I am naturally ambition and driven, and graduating isn’t something I see as the end of my learning. I want to continue developing my knowledge and practical skills through continued professional development, always looking for ways to improve the treatment and care to the patients under my care.

“After graduating, my plan is to start practicing with my veterinary physiotherapy degree, working with both dogs and horses. I’m already fortunate enough to have a role treating dogs within a referral, while building my own business, Stand Walk Canter Veterinary Physiotherapy.

“Through Stand Walk Canter Veterinary Physiotherapy, I want to develop a slightly different approach to veterinary physiotherapy. I have a particular interest in proprioception, shedding light on physiotherapy for owners and veterinary professionals and how it can help animals of all ages, backgrounds, disciplines and clinical situations for their quality of life.

“I’d also love to have the opportunity to teach and inspire students coming on veterinary physiotherapy. I’ve really valued the practical skills I’ve gained and will develop further which I’ll share with the next generation and help them develop their learning and practical abilities.

“For me, graduation is the end of one chapter, but it’s also the start of a very exciting one. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, developing as a clinician and building a career that I’m genuinely passionate about.

Words of advice

“My advice to anyone thinking about studying at Harper Adams University would not to worry about what your background is. Everyone is friendly, welcoming and wants to get to know each other and there is plenty to do while you’re here. I also say don’t hold back and try to say yes to every opportunity available, whether it’s joining a society, getting involved socially or taking on additional academic or practical opportunities, you never know who you may meet.

“Veterinary physiotherapy is an exciting profession with a lot of promise and opportunities. One thing I think is important to understand is that Veterinary Physiotherapy is much more than just massage for animals. There are so many different areas of physiotherapy to experience across dogs and horses including musculoskeletal, neurological working, sporting animals, with new fields continuing to develop.”

If Fin’s story has inspired you to explore where your own passions could take you, discover our range of courses at Harper Adams and find the one that could turn your interests into your future career.

Why not come and see what awaits you at our Open Days too?