About Me

My Qualifications

I am a chartered physiotherapist, fully insured and a member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) and on the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP).

I completed a 3 year full-time BSc (hons) degree in human physiotherapy at Coventry University and graduated with a first class honours. I worked in many areas including MSK outpatients, acute stroke, general medicine, intensive care and trauma orthopaedics. I went on to specialise in rider biomechanics and spent 2 years working for another company treating a variety of patients from beginners to grand prix dressage/show-jumping riders to vets and farriers. Alongside this, I completed a 3-year MSc degree at Hartpury University in Veterinary Physiotherapy and set up First Class Physiotherapy. I completed my final year dissertation on the effect of H-Wave therapy on longissimus dorsi coat surface temperature and nociceptive threshold.

My Horse Interest

I am a keen horse rider and compete my veteran purebred Arabian gelding. We used to event, but now mainly show in-hand and under saddle up to international level. I understand the need to improve and maintain performance for both horse and rider and what is required to compete at the highest level. I also understand the importance of being fit and able to do yard work and ride.

Why Choose an ACPAT Physio?

The title 'veterinary' or 'animal' physiotherapist is unprotected, meaning that anyone can call themselves a 'veterinary physiotherapist' without having any qualifications at all. However, 'Physiotherapist', 'Physical Therapist' and 'Chartered Physiotherapist' are protected by law and can only be used by those that have completed the human physiotherapy degree and have the Royal Charter.

Any ACPAT Physiotherapist is a human physiotherapist too and has studied to a high theoretical and practical level for a minimum of 5 or 6 years including over 1200 hours in clinical practice during training. It is considered the gold standard of training. Many techniques cross over from human-animal and the skills of observation, palpation and clinical reasoning are highly developed in ACPAT physios. All ACPAT members are fully insured and are required to keep up-to-date with relevant evidence through CPD.

A chartered physiotherapist can diagnose human pathologies/injuries and has been thoroughly trained in neurological and musculoskeletal assessment to ensure you receive safe and effective treatment.

Having someone who can treat both the horse and rider is so important to achieving the best results.

Additionally, ACPAT Physiotherapists have been the choice of the GB Equestrian Olympic Team since 1992.