Veterinary Physiotherapy is an evidence based profession that facilitates musculoskeletal restoration and

maintenance of physical strength, function and mobility. Other benefits include the reduction of pain and discomfort; which

aids in the rehabilitation and treatment of individuals affected by surgery, injury or illness.

Hannah works alongside veterinary and other para-professionals to aid in both the rehabilitation and performance of sporting animals.

Hannah is a BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapist and a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists.

Hannah offers mobile equine and canine Physiotherapy services across North & East Yorkshire and Ad-hoc visits within Warwickshire.

Hannah has previous experience working within Veterinary clinics and hydrotherapy centres

with both equine and canine patients,

before setting up her own Veterinary Physiotherapy business in North Yorkshire.

Why Choose Us?

Hannah Gerard

Veterinary Physiotherapy

Services

What Happens During A Physiotherapy Session?

Medical History

Background

Objective / Dynamic

Assessments

Evidence based treatments:

Massage

LASER

Stretching

Mobilisations

Electrotherapies

Home Exercise Prescription

Professional Advice

Does your horse or dog need their physio? 🐎🐕

As we head into September, I have limited spaces left for physio appointments. Currently I have the 15th September onwards still available.

How does veterinary physio help animals?

✅️ Keeps on top of any niggles and discomforts.

✅️ Maintains animals in competition or performance work.

✅️ Aids in rehabilitation from surgery and/or injury.

✅️ Maintains and treats animals with long term health or age related issues.

For more info contact:
● Visit our website
● 07301 242865
● Info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

In-hand Polework - The Hogback

As part of your Horses physiotherapy program you might find your physio leaving you with this exercise.

It starts with 2 or 3 poles lined up together in a straight line, down the middle of the arena.

This exercise requires the horse to lead with the foot closest to the pole, following with the other front foot. Then hindlimbs follow behind in the same order as the front.

Basically the horse is doing litte side steps each time, instead of making great big turns to get over the poles.

However simple this exercise may look, it challenges our horse to work on the following:

● Core strength - encorugaes the inside abdominal muscles to lif the spine and engage the back

● Flexibility - Promoting lateral bending of the thoracic and lumbar spine and mobilites joints

● Properception - encourages the horse to judge and feel for distances and where the feet need to land (Especially usefull to horses who knock or tap poles!!!)

Meet Meg, 🐾🐕 ➡️

Meg is an older lady who I visited this week for some physio. Her owner was concerned that she was stuggling with the stairs.

Upon assessment we found that she had some sore back muscles and weak hindlimb muscles, which all contribute to her ability to go up and down stairs comfortably.

Treatment consisted of pulsed electro-magnetic field therapy (PEMFT), infrared light therapy, massage & stretching. This targets sore and tender muscles by reducing pain, inflammation and initiates tissue repair.

We then gave a home exercise plan for meg to continue with to encourgae further tissue repair and strengthening, to keep meg feeling her best 🐕✨️

If you feel your dog would benefit from having a treament session, get in touch to get your dog feeling their best.

📞07301 242865
📩Info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

Meet Happy 🐴✨️ ➡️ Swipe for Polework✨️🐴

Happy is a 4 year old in training, who I have the pleasure of treating on a regular basis.

Because she is still a young horse in training, our physio sessions focus on enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury and compensatory issues.

Happy currently struggles with coordination, balance and engaging her core. These issues usually present themselves with:

● Increased speed
● High head carriage
● Avoidance behaviours

In our current sessions we are using some simple pole exercises that can be weaved into her weekly trianing sessions, in ridden and on the lunge.

As both Veterinary Physiotherapist and equestrian coach, I combine my skills to help both horse and rider reach peak performance. Offering tailored exercises that focus on the individual needs of horse and rider.

✨️Polework ✨️🐎

The focus of these exercises are:

● Body & spatial awareness (properception)
● Muscle strength
● Cooridnation & balance

In our current sessions we are using some simple pole exercises that can be weaved into her weekly training sessions, in both ridden and on thd lunge to effectively target her weaknesses

🐎 It's not always perfect, but that okay!

I dont expect my clients to have mastered these exercises when I leave the yard. I leave them with you to build on them over a number of weeks, before we start to see the results we want.

Happy has taken a few attempts to perfect these poles and she still has more to learn.

It takes time and patience to build a solid foundation

Over time we start seeing results ✅️

🐴❤️🐴

Does your 🐴🦒🐴 need their physio booking in? The Diary is open for mid September onwards!

I also have some spaces the last week of August still available, pop a message to get booked in ☺️

Covering Yorkshire and surrounding areas 📍

📞📩
07301 242865
Info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

For more information visit our website <www.hgvetphysio.co.uk>

Have you noticed these subtle signs with your dog?

These are signs of discomfort and pain in dogs.

Dogs naturally hide pain to avoid showing vulnerability. So it's easy to miss when they are struggling.

The quicker you notice these signs and get support, the faster we stop further pain and discomfort.

Regualr physiotherapy treatment can help reduce pain and discomfort in dogs and get on top of issues before they become major problems.

If you have any concerns or queries do get in touch

Find us on ➡️ www.hgvetphysio.co.uk
Email 📩 Info@hgvetphysio.co.uk
Whatapp 📞 07301 242865

Rehabilitation exercises for dogs

Here we have a current case who has progressed from the early stages of her rehab plan to more advanced exercise.

With this particular exercise I am training the dog to safely get on and off the platform, giving lots of positive reinforcement to make it as enjoyable for both dog and owner.

This particular exercise aims to improve

✅️Balance
✅️Core strength
✅️Cooridnation
✅️Spinal stability
✅️Hindlimb muscle activation

These exercises are given after I have assessed and treated patients during physio session. They are given at appropriate time of tissue healing and recovery, and are evidence based

Could your dog benefit from a physiotherapy session?

Contact on 07301242865
Email info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

✨️LASER Treatment✨️

Did you know we offer follow up LASER treatment sessions?

These follow up sessions are for horses and dogs that require further LASER treatment for conditions such as:

✅️Wound healing
✅️Tendon and ligament injuries
✅️Scar Tissue
✅️Tissue repair
✅️Pain relief

These types of conditions often require multiple treatments to be effective, but do not necessarily require a full physio treatment. Therefore they are available as stand alone sessions.

They however do require a full initial assessment or have been seen as a maintenance session. They also need to be signed off by your vet to be able to start a course of treatment.

We work closely with your vet to ensure a positive outcome. We are happy to contact your vet to start a discussion about LASER and will work closely with them throughout.

If you would like to discuss physio & LASER treatment
Message us or call

📞07301 242865
📩info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

🐕🐴

The Equine Pain Face 🐴

Following on from my previous posts, 'Subtle Signs your horse is telling you they're uncomfortable ', lets look at the equine pain face.

The above image shows the different subtle facial expressions your horse can display when they are in discomfort or pain.

Key areas to look for:

1. Tense or Flattened Nostrils
2. Lowered or Tense Fixed Ears
3. Tightening of the Muzzle or Lips
4. Head Position and Tension
5. Intense stare

For more info you can find out more by searching 'the equine pain face'. You can also find more info with these links:

<https://www.southwestequine.com.au/the-equine-pain-scale/>

<https://sleip.com/articles/decoding-equine-pain-through-facial-expressions-and-behaviour >

<https://www.horsevethampshire.co.uk/post/understanding-the-equine-pain-face>

LASER Treatment for dogs 🥰🐾🐕

Here we have the gorgeous Doug who I visited for suspected back pain.

Physiotherapy can be very beneficial for dogs like Doug, who enjoy bursts of high speed activity. This can sometimes lead to tight and strained muscles along the spine, causing pain and discomfort.

During his initial treatment session, we addressed Doug’s back pain, along with the compensatory effects that can occur as a result of muscle strain in other parts of the body.

Using a combination of therapeutic techniques and prescribed exercises, Doug also received laser therapy to aid in his recovery and target the deeper structures along his back.

Doug then received a follow up treatment session using laser therapy to help keep on top of his pain and support the healing process, encouraging those damaged tissues to become healthy and functional again. ❤️

✨️ Therapeutic effects of LASER therapy include: ✨️

• Activates cellular regeneration to promote healing
• Reduces pain sensation by targeting nerve endings and stimulating the release of natural endorphins
• Supports the body’s anti inflammatory processes, even within deeper tissues
• Increases oxygenation and blood flow to affected tissues
• Activates tissue repair and recovery

Doug was an absolute superstar throughout his treatments and it’s lovely to see him becoming more comfortable 🐕❤️

✨️ Subtle Signs your Horse is uncomfortable ✨️

If you keep noticing these signs and symptoms, get in touch 📞

📞 Whatsapp 07301 242865
🗓 info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

Flo enjoying her maintenance session, keeping her feeling and performing her best for the rest of the eventing season 🐎✨

Regular physio sessions help us stay one step ahead, picking up on any small niggles before they become bigger issues.

Meaning:
• Reducing the risk of injury
• Minimising discomfort
• Preventing muscle imbalances and compensatory effects

📖 Diary is open for May and June in North Yorkshire & surrounding areas

07301 242865 📞

Ad hoc dates in Warwickshire and Oxford are 11th to 14th of May. June and July dates TBC

#horseeventing #horseriding #vetphysiotherapy #northyorkshire #warwickshire

Swipe to see a canine dynamic assessment ➡️ 🐕 🐾

What is a Dynamic Assessment ?

A dynamic assessment is part of a full assessment that takes place during your veterinary physiotherapy session.

The dynamic assessment can included a walk, trot and running from your pet, aswell as assessing other movements such as sit to stand, turning and backing up.

It can highlight strengths and weakness in your pets normal locomotion and gives us an indication when there is something wrong.

During the assessment notes will be written onto reports for you to keep at the end of your session. These can be kept to keep a track of your pets mobility throughout their lifetime and give you a baseline to compare, if things change with your pets health.

This particular case involved monitoring an elderly dog who has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and weak mobitity. Regular session help monitor their mobility, allowing us to monitor and treat the arthritis during flare ups and keep on top of discomfort and compensatory effects from the condition.

If you feel like your pet might benefit form regular physiotherapy get in touch. I run day and evening sessions weekdays and weekends

📞 07301 242865
📩 info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

📍Covering North Yorkshire and surrounding areas

✨️ Benefits of Physiotherapy ✨️

✅️ Improve mobility and flexibility

✅️ Reduce compensatory Issues

✅️ Improve Joint ROM & tendon/muscle pliability

Diary is open 📖 Get in touch via Whatsapp 📞 07301242865 or info@hgvetphysio.co.uk 📩

🐣 Easter is here and so are the lighter nights! ☀️

Why not get your dog booked in for a treatment session?

Lets get your dog feeling their best ready for those summer walks ☀️🐾🐕

Get in touch

📍North and East Yorkshire
📞07301 242865 - Whatsapp
✨️Daytime and late night appointments ✨️

#dogphysio #dogfitness #dogmobility #vetphysio #northyorkshire

🌼 It's just 10 Days until spring everyone! 🌼

Lighter nights are just around the corner, which means one thing… more time to get out riding after work! 🐎

If you’re getting back in the saddle, increasing training or planning more adventures with your horses, donkeys or dogs, now is the perfect time to get your physio booked in. Sorting any niggles early can help set them up for a happy, comfortable and successful season ahead.

I’m now offering late evening appointments, so there’s no need to take time off work.

Let’s get your animals feeling their best and ready to make the most of those spring evenings

📩 Message me to book your appointment.

07301 242865

Pleased to share that my membership with the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) has been renewed after meeting the required criteria again. This includes completing a set amount of CPD each year and adhering to a professional code of conduct.
What is the NAVP?

The National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) is a professional and regulatory body committed to promoting animal welfare and delivering the highest standards of veterinary physiotherapy. NAVP members hold a minimum Level 6 qualification (BSc degree or equivalent) in Veterinary Physiotherapy, with training grounded in scientific principles and applied to clinical practice.
This means that when you use my services, you can be confident that I am:

✅Fully qualified
✅Fully insured
✅Committed to ongoing continuing professional development

Most importantly, I strive to give the highest standard of care and service to your pets.

Here we have Cian having a pre-season treatment, ready for the spring.

Regular physiotherapy can help prep for the coming season and keeps our horses in top shape before we begin ridden work.

I prescribe home exercises as part of your dogs veterinary physiotherapy assessment and treatment plan.

Home exercises can benefit young and older dogs by targeting:

Core strength ✅️
Balance & coordination ✅️
Strength & fitness ✅️

If you would like to discuss how physiotherapy could help your dog you can whatsapp or call us at 07301242865
Or email at info@hgvetphysio.co.uk

I have slots still open for Veterinary Physiotherapy in December and January.

Horses who may benefit from a Veterinary Physiotherapy Session 🐎
- Performance Horses
- Older Horses
- Horses returning to work
- Horses with reduced performance, ridden challenges, gait abnormalities stiffness, or behavioral issues (rearing/bucking/napping etc)

Physiotherapy can help manage the symptoms of horses with long term conditions such as;
SI issues, arthritis, impinging dorsal spinous processess (Kissing Spines) and tendon injuries.

Even fit and healthy horses can benefit from a session to help keep them feeling their best. Get in touch to book an appointment or to discuss how Veterinary Physiotherapy could help you and your horse.

✨️Could your dog benefit from physiotherapy?✨️

Just like us, dogs experience aches and pains from everyday life. Unlike us, our dogs simply can't tell us when they are struggling and need physiotherapy. The little signs can begin with built-up muscle tension, limping, skipping, reduced play or an unwillingness to go on walks.

️Physiotherapy can help:

- Improve walking and running
- Reduce risk of re-injury
- Manage age related conditions
- Relieve aches and pains
- Maintain fitness and strength

During a physio session, your dog will receive a full assessment followed by a treatment and a home exercise plan.

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