ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapist; Sussex, Surrey, Kent

Do you love your horse more than anything?

Is your dog your home?

Do you have a horse because you always wanted one from when you were little

(not just because your parent had horses)?

Would you rather rescue and care for a poor horse than buy a top-class showjumper?

Is your dog or horse your therapy when you're stressed, tired, sad, or just need a happy place?

Is your horse or dog so special to you, that you'd do everything to ensure they have the best care?

Do you only want to use professionals that truly care about your animal, and take time to explain things to you? Somebody that has dedicated their entire life to this career, to give animals the best possible treatment...

Then Welcome to Merlin Veterinary Physiotherapy!

Welcome

Specialising in horses and dogs kept purely for love, maybe some fun competitions, that you're concerned are suffering with musculoskeletal pain.

Animals are incredibly healing for us, so we need to do our best to ensure they are comfortable and happy, living their best lives.

I offer gentle, thorough assessment and individualised treatment regimes with an extensive range of techniques, to improve their quality of life.

You can also complete the package with rider physio.

Get back to enjoying every moment and make riding feel good for your horse again!

Tell me about your horse/dog's problem

Physiotherapy

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a vital part of the NHS because it is a science-based health profession (not a complementary therapy), using physical methods to improve the body's function. A qualified Physiotherapist has undergone a 3-year full-time degree, gaining knowledge in anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics and pathophysiology. Core skills are then developed on clinical placements (in hospitals) including Orthopaedics, Musculoskeletal, Neurology, Respiratory, Community Rehabilitation. Once qualified, most practitioners rotate between many specialisms of physiotherapy, giving them a wide range of skills and background knowledge, before specialising in their preferred area.

The most important skill is clinical reasoning; choosing the most appropriate management option supported by evidence. Physiotherapists’ skills are continuously developed throughout their career, usually in the NHS, which provides regular in-service training, peer supervision, watched assessments and case reviews. This scrutiny ensures safe practice, effectiveness and up-to-date knowledge of evidence. All Physiotherapists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Veterinary Physiotherapy

The application of all the physiotherapeutic skills can be applied to Horses, Dogs and other animals. Veterinary physiotherapy incorporates knowledge of veterinary practices, animal anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and pathophysiology. It also uses ‘evidence-based medicine’, where the most appropriate and effective methods are used to treat an animal.

There is now a register for animal therapists (animal physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors) who have reached a high level qualification and can prove their experience, called RAMP. This allows owners and veterinarians to ensure they are using a suitably qualified individual that is insured for their practice.

Why an ACPAT 'Chartered' Physiotherapist?

The term Physiotherapist is a protected title, whereby only those with a degree in Physiotherapy (i.e. human) may use it. However, any word preceding it invalidates this, therefore ‘Veterinary or Animal or Equine Physiotherapist’ does not require any specific qualifications or regulation. There are copious training routes now available to gain a qualification in veterinary physiotherapy, which vary considerably in their length and requirements. The only way to be sure you are using a qualified Physiotherapist is to look for the title ‘Chartered’. A Chartered Physiotherapist has gone through the rigorous training routes of a human Physiotherapy degree, experience usually in the NHS, then a Masters-level post-graduate degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. They are members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT). They are also fully insured and regulated.