OUR FOCUS
Small Animal Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can help to support recovery post injury or surgery. It can also help to improve or maintain joint mobility, muscle strength and reduce pain for animals in their older years which in turn can help promote optimal movement and improved quality of life.
An initial assessment and treatment of your fury friend will take approximately 60 minutes. It will include a thorough history of the problem, followed by a full assessment, and provision of a bespoke treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Follow up sessions can either be 60, 45 or 30 minutes depending on their individual needs.
Soft tissue injuries such as muscle, tendon or ligament strains or tears.
Joint problems secondary to degenerative disease/arthritis, pain, injury, or stiffness.
Spinal Pain, including intervertebral disc disease and lumbosacral stenosis.
Functional difficulties such as getting on and off the bed, in and out of a car, climbing the stairs.
Deterioration of athletic or working performance such as reduced speed or inability to stop abruptly, hesitation or avoidance of jumps, or wider turns to a specific side.
Uncharacteristic behaviour changes - reduced activity, dislike to being touched/groomed, or lying down during a walk.
Reduced quality of life due to inability to engage in normal activities, or an ongoing decline in basic physical functions.
Expert animal physiotherapy is also useful for:Rehabilitation following orthopaedic or neurological surgery – for example post-surgery for hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate disease, fractures or dislocation, or removal of diseased spinal discs. This list is not exhaustive.
Conservative (non-surgical) management of conditions such as osteoarthritis, patellar luxation, fibrocartilaginous embolism, or polyradiculoneuritis. Again, this is not an exhaustive list.
If your animal’s condition does not appear above, it does not mean that I am unable to help. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your animal’s needs.The treatments used will be determined by the assessment and problem identified, but may involve....
Manual Therapy Techniques: Hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain.
Electrotherapy: Non-invasive treatments to stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain in muscles and joints. This may be delivered by LASER Therapy (Light Amplification by stimulated emission of radiation),Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy (PEME)
Exercise prescription: Provision of an individualised exercise programme which may focus on increasing strength and endurance, improving range of movement, enhancing balance and coordination, and optimising postural control which in turn can help to reduce pain and improve functional performance.
Therapeutic advise: This may include suggestions for environmental adaptations (e.g. ramps, specific bedding, raised feeding bowls), exercise modification, and/or signposting to other professionals such as animal behaviourists / trainers.
Canine hydrotherapy (also known as hydrotherapy for dogs), is a form of therapeutic exercise in either a pool or underwater treadmill. It is a gentler alternative to regular exercise, so it can be helpful for dogs who struggle with their mobility or are recovering from injury. It can also be a useful adjunct to physiotherapy or a stand-alone therapeutic modality.
I work closely with Emma Barnard, a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) and hydrotherapist at Vale Canine Hydrotherapy Centre. Working as a team, alongside you and other veterinary colleagues we can ensure that your animal has a cohesive rehabilitation programme.
The Centre has a hydrotherapy pool and water treadmill which gives the therapist and the referring veterinarian the flexibility to choose the most suitable hydrotherapy treatment for your animal. Sometimes, a combination of the pool and water treadmill is required to optimise recovery and performance.
Emma is registered under the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA). This means she works to the highest ethical and care standards in the UK, and you can be sure that the therapist looking after your pet is appropriately trained, qualified, and experienced. It also ensures that all animals committed to the care of Vale Hydrotherapy are treated humanely and with respect.
Veterinary Referral Requirement:
Animals may be referred to physiotherapy by a veterinary surgeon or the pet carer may contact us directly. However, in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and current professional guidance, the physio must obtain prior consent from a veterinary surgeon before carrying out any initial assessment or treatment. This legal requirement exists to protect animal welfare and ensure that only appropriately trained and regulated professionals provide treatment. Working with veterinary consent also allows us to collaborate closely with your vet, ensuring a coordinated, evidence-based approach that supports the safest and most effective recovery for your animal.
Maintenance Care and Veterinary Consent:
Musculoskeletal maintenance care for healthy animals, such as routine assessment and supportive treatment to maintain mobility, comfort, and performance, does not require prior veterinary delegation. However, the animal must be currently registered with a veterinary practice. In line with the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015, maintenance care must cease immediately and the animal referred back to the veterinary surgeon at the first indication of pain, injury, disease, or underlying pathology.
Complete an online referral form or contact Valley Physio to have one sent to you.
Get in touch with Valley Physio for a free telephone consultation to discuss your animal’s needs and explore how physiotherapy may help.
Review your insurance policy to check whether veterinary physiotherapy is covered, either under veterinary fees or as a complementary therapy. Clients are asked to submit insurance claims themselves, as Valley Physio does not deal directly with insurance companies. Payment is required in full at the time of treatment, with any reimbursable costs claimed back from your insurer.
Discuss physiotherapy with your veterinary surgeon, including the referral process. Please note that some veterinary practices may apply a small administrative fee for providing a referral.
Ask your veterinary surgeon to complete the Veterinary Referral form
Complete the Pet Carer consent form
COMMON QUESTIONS
Animal Physiotherapy
Benefits of Animal Physiotherapy
Common issues an Animal Physio can help with:
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Soft tissue injuries such as muscle, tendon or ligament strains or tears.
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Joint problems secondary to degenerative disease/arthritis, pain, injury, or stiffness.
-
Spinal Pain- including intervertebral disc disease and lumbosacral stenosis.
-
Functional difficulties such as getting on and off the bed, in and out of a car, climbing the stairs.
-
A deterioration of athletic or working performance.
-
Weight problems / reduced activity
-
Uncharacteristic behaviour changes such as lying down to eat, refusing walks, lying down during walks, hiding away or aggression
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Reduced quality of life.
Animal physiotherapy is beneficial for:
-
Rehabilitation following orthopaedic or neurological surgery – for example post-surgery for hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate disease, fractures or dislocation, or removal of diseased spinal discs. This list is not exhaustive.
-
Conservative (non-surgical management) of conditions such as osteoarthritis, patellar luxation, fibrocartilaginous embolism, or polyradiculoneuritis. Again, this is not an exhaustive list.
If your animal’s condition does not appear above, it does not mean that I am unable to help. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your animal’s needs.
BENEFITS
ABOUT
Kaye Hillsdon
Founder of Valley Physio
Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in Small Animal Physiotherapy and Human Physiotherapy.
Over 11 years’ experience in Animal Physiotherapy and has worked in some of the leading Animal referral centres
On the executive committee for the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT). Proactive in arranging training and courses for ACPAT members to further the associations members knowledge
Associate with Vale Canine Hydrotherapy Centre
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
" Thank you so much for the practical and moral support. I feel very lucky to have had your input and I hope your new patients realise how fortunate they are..." - Katie
Katie
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
"Thank you for all the help and support you have given me during my recent sessions. Being pushed repeatedly beyond my expectations and helping me to believe in myself; so realising the improvements and possibilities that lay ahead if I keep working, its truly amazing"
Jean
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
"Thank you for all you have done for me, making physio fun and giving me some of my confidence back. Christmas is a time when dreams are meant to come true, and you have helped mine come true by getting back on a pair of ski's"
Hannah
CONTACT US
Please get in contact if you would like a free phone consultation to discuss whether physiotherapy is suitable for you or your pet.
We offer a fully mobile service, so can carry out treatment at your home or you may visit one of the clinics
There is no obligation to book an appointment.