Harper Adams graduate becomes first dedicated veterinary physiotherapist at Animal Health Trust

Posted 5 October 2017

Harper Adams graduate Matthew Scott has become the first ever dedicated veterinary physiotherapist at the Animal Health Trust.

Matthew, who graduated at the end of September as part of the first cohort to complete the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapy programme at Harper Adams, has joined the team at the AHT’s Centre for Small Animal Studies (CSAS).

During Matthew’s four years of study he completed a six month work placement at an equine rehabilitation yard in Warwickshire and a six month work placement at the Royal Veterinary College’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.

It was during his time at the RVC that he discovered his passion for using physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of pets with neurological and orthopaedic conditions within a referral hospital setting.

Now, as a graduate member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists and working at the AHT, he is keen to pursue this further.

The enhanced physiotherapist service at the AHT will provide patients with a range of treatment options, including:

• Manual therapies such as massage, range of motion (ROM), stretching and fascia release.
• Electrotherapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy.
• A range of different remedial exercises, compiled into a plan that is tailored specifically to a particular patient and is designed to help them improve their function and quality of life.

Physiotherapy can help patients suffering from a variety of neurological and orthopaedic conditions, hospitalised surgical and non-surgical patients, as well those suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). It can also provide performance enhancement for athletic and working dogs.

Matthew will also be working closely with the AHT’s well established hydrotherapy team and their award winning facilities, to ensure they can give every patient the best possible rehabilitation and care.