Thrive Animal Therapy

01/09/2025

Really excited to be hosting this event in October, for anybody with an interest in anatomy, hoof care, managing horses barefoot or transitioning from shoes to barefoot this integrative course will provide a great educational foundation and solid understanding of the structure of the hoof and the importance ofhoof care in maintaining sound, healthy horses... Get your tickets now!

Hi fellow compassionate equestrians, Registration closes on the 11th September for our next in-person event at Thrive Animal Therapy near Harrogate, North Yorkshire on 11th-12th October Evidence-based, welfare-focused integrative hoof care is the foundation of soundness, lasting resilience and longe...

04/08/2025

We had Jen the Vet Physio student with us last month for some hands on practical training. The Thrive herd were willing participants and provide a great opportunity to develop assessment and palpation skills, with Pioneer, the 3 year old, who is far from completing his growth, lovely Lily with a chronic stifle issue, Winnie, whose body bears the scars of a rough start in life and of course, .the.mule who provides a great lesson in comparative anatomy and an opportunity to work on alternative equine species!
As a trainer for the College of Animal Physiotherapy, I provide training days for students to foster their practical skills and practice learned techniques in a safe and supportive environment.
Jen is already qualified as an equine massage therapist but is furthering her training to become a qualified Physiotherapist. You can find her growing business at:-

https://www.facebook.com/share/165mnWUnpb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

24/06/2025

A bit of shameless trumpet blowing 😁 (but there's a back story!)

Last September I suffered a bucket handle meniscal tear to my right knee and many clients, friends and family endured my endless complaining about the pain and frustration of not being able to run. Some suggested my running days were over, that I was too old to run or just not built for it.

The fear of not being able to run again was enough to push me into thinking practically. I treated myself as if I were dog post cruciate surgery or a horse with weak stifles and made myself a rehab plan and slowly but surely the pain reduced and by Christmas I could run again, 1 mile to begin with, then 2 and gradually further and further.

I adjusted my posture and my technique and focused on the health of my fascia, something I believe is key to healthy, pain free movement and something I consider a lot when it comes to animals but had previously overlooked in myself.

When my sister announced she was doing the midnight sun marathon in Tromso, Norway, I jumped at the chance to join her and with this as my goal I kept running.

The marathon wasn't easy or fast but this whole process has been such an amazing opportunity to learn more about biomechanics and healthy movement and practice what I preach to animals and their owners in my own body. There is always hope for better movement

18/06/2025

🐾SUPPORTING YOUR PETS JOINTS 🦴

Here are some simple, effective ways to support your pets comfort and mobility:

Maintain a Healthy Weight - Excess weight can put more stress on joints. Keep your dog lean to reduce pain and inflammation.

-Bedding - Soft, raised, or orthopedic beds offer much-needed joint support and make it easier to get up and down.

-Aids such as ramps or steps -can help your dog safely get in and out of the car (or even onto the sofa)

-Elevate Food & Water Bowls - Raised dishes at elbow height make mealtimes easier.

-Add Traction - Anti-slip mats or grippy socks can prevent slips and falls, especially on hardwood or tile

With a few adjustments, they can stay comfortable, happy, and active!

13/06/2025

Introducing Amy!

It absolutely thrills me to formally announce that Amy has joined Thrive!
Many of my canine patients and clients have met Amy as she has joined me for well over a year during the last aspects of her training to become a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist.
She completed her training and passed with flying colours at the start of this year.
She will be helping me out with some of the canine patients. I love the way she works and her compassion for the patients... Here's a bit more about her in her own words:-

My name is Amy, and I have recently qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist after completing the Level 6 Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy with The College of Animal Physiotherapy (TCAP). I am also a Registered Veterinary Nurse, and it was through this role that I discovered my passion for supporting animals in their recovery and rehabilitation. My particular interest in managing arthritis and chronic conditions which inspired me to further my studies and pursue a career in physiotherapy.

I'm passionate about the positive impact physiotherapy can have on an animal's quality of life, and I find it incredibly rewarding to help them regain mobility and comfort.

Outside of work I enjoy walking and working with my dogs-Poppy, Ned, and Wispa. I also love baking in my spare time.

Welcome Amy! ☺️



Ps. I can personally vouch for her baking too... She makes an excellent brownie! 🤣

24/05/2025

22/05/2025

Such a fantastic full day of CPD at the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance conference.

So many great lectures on a wide variety of topics including managing pain in osteoarthritis (OA) patients, designing exercise programmes for dogs with OA, and up to date research on management options for OA patients amongst many more!

So much to take home... Literally!

02/04/2025

It's great to see the residents at Hope Pastures taking their physio exercises seriously 🤣 Stormzy the foal is taking his role as Ned the donkey's personal trainer. You'll be fit as a fiddle in no time Ned 💪🏽 🐎

20/02/2025

Understanding Swimmer’s Tail in Dogs 🐕
If you've noticed your dog struggling to move their tail or it seems limp, they may be experiencing a condition called swimmer’s tail (also known as limp tail). This issue is often caused by overexertion, sudden physical activity, or swimming in cold water, which can lead to muscle strain in the tail.
Signs to watch for:
* A drooping or limp tail
* Sensitivity or pain when the tail is touched
* Difficulty wagging or moving the tail
While swimmer’s tail can be uncomfortable for your dog, the good news is that it is usually a temporary condition. With rest and some physiotherapy or gentle massage, most dogs recover fully. If you notice these symptoms, give your dog some rest to avoid further strain.
If you're unsure or if the symptoms persist, always consult your vet for advice!

28/01/2025

Meet Max! He’s here for laser therapy to help with his bilateral luxating patellas, which he has had surgery on. Max loves his laser sessions and also undergoes hydrotherapy and McTimoney therapy, both key parts of his treatment plan. It’s amazing to see him benefiting from such a dedicated team working together for his recovery. In his downtime, Max enjoys trick training and has even recently learned to play the drums—what a superstar! 🌟

24/01/2025

It's been a really enjoyable couple of days teaching this group of future vet physio's some of the practical aspects of their training. These days focussed on canine anatomy - developing palpation and finding those textbook landmarks and muscles in real life whilst day two focussed on common orthopaedic conditions and techniques used to identify joint pathologies and abnormalities.
Thank you to the students for their fantastic input and to the doggy models who were ever so patient with us! 🥰

11/01/2025

Patient of the week this week is

🌟Ned! 🌟

Ned is one of the longer term residents at Hope Pastures Equine rescue centre.

He suffered some abusive and traumatic handling until he found safety in the kind and caring hands of Hope Pastures. He has gone from a terrified and unhandleable animal to a trusting and confident sweet donkey. 🫏

The staff have handled him sympathetically and used positive reinforcement techniques taught by my good friends at Connection Training to help him achieve this.

Here he is, not quite enjoying his treatments but confidently tolerating them 🤣

With great thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Hope Pastures for these photos and videos... In which I look considerably more happy than our good pal Ned. 🤣

Ned is part of the Hope Pastures adoption scheme and you can adopt him here...

https://www.hopepastures.org/product-category/adoption-scheme/

Or, they also have a very exclusive club you can join... If you pass all the strict entry criteria which I believe are as follows:-

1. love donkeys

https://www.hopepastures.org/donkey-club/