Centre opens up veterinary physiotherapy services to wider community

Posted 6 September 2016

People – or more accurately their pets – from the local community are set to benefit when a veterinary physiotherapy training centre opens its doors to Shropshire customers.

The Veterinary Services Centre at Harper Adams University, opened by the Princess Royal in 2015 and housing staff and teaching facilities for future veterinary nurses and veterinary physiotherapists, is hosting an open afternoon on September 17^th to showcase how its skilled team of professionals can help pets recover from illness or injury.

The new service, Veterinary Rehabilitation, is led by Beth Roberts, a lecturer at the university and experienced veterinary physiotherapist.

Beth said: “The facilities we have include a canine hydrotherapy pool, hydro-treadmill, electrotherapy and some of the latest diagnostic technologies available to vet physios. They have been used mainly for demonstrations and the treatment of volunteer dogs so far, but now we’d like to open up and help a wider range of clients.

“This will have a dual benefit: affordable rehabilitation therapies on the community’s doorstep, and a range of new cases and clients for students to work with. But the students will always be assisted and supervised by a qualified member of staff.

“We’d love to welcome anyone who might be interested in our work to visit on Saturday September 17, from 2pm to 5pm. Guests are welcome to pop in, without their animals please, to speak to members of the Vet Rehab team and view the facilities.

“If anyone has a pet they think we might be able to help, they can chat to us about it and, if we think veterinary physiotherapy might help, the client and our team can seek a referral from the client’s vet and then start working to help the animal in question.

“We will also be offering an ambulatory equine physiotherapy service. Helen Morrell, who leads that, will be available to chat on the 17^th.

“The great thing about our service is that it is based at the university, therefore everything we do is based on the latest research and evidence, as well as regular practice.

During 2017 Vet Rehab plans to start offering acupuncture, in addition to the existing therapies.

For more information visit the website www.vet-rehab.com or follow the Facebook page.

Call Beth on 07970 327 956 to discuss treatment for companion animals or Helen on 07970 328 043 to discuss equine physiotherapy.