My first blog post - How I became a Veterinary Physiotherapist

Hello everyone,

I thought I’d share all things Delta Vet Physio with these blogs. Looking into common conditions, hot topics in the vet world, and a behind the scenes look into running a business.

I am hoping this blog will shed a light on vet physio, how it relates to your animal, and getting to know me before your first appointment.

About me: Origin Story

When you’re in Reception year of school, at some point the teacher will ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. I, naturally, opted to become a vet as I knew I loved all animals, and I couldn’t think of any other way to spend the rest of my life other than surrounded by animals. Of course, being 4 years old, I did not know there were other options.

Throughout my childhood, I only wanted to work with animals. I was lucky enough to have horse riding lessons weekly, and I quickly found horses to be my favourite animal. I volunteered as a stable hand at the stables and at a horse sanctuary until I was about 16, before starting college. During my school years, it became quickly apparent that I am simply too squeamish to be a vet or a vet nurse. I really wanted to work with horses in some capacity, so I enrolled on a Level 3 Equine Management course.

At 16, not knowing what you wanted to be in life, choosing a course which involved something that made you so happy seemed like the simple choice. However, it was obvious that the only thing that this course would set me up for would be to be a stable hand. I found yard days very stressful, and I lost the passion I once had for working with horses, but found bliss in the classroom and practical learning. I knew that my future career needed to involve animals AND science and academia. Being a vet or a nurse would have been the best choice, but as mentioned before, I could not handle the work. Regardless, I needed a university degree, and I needed to get my A-levels to do so.

I researched what career mixes science and animals without the gross surgical stuff. This is when I found veterinary physiotherapy – and I was completely drawn to it. With a really supportive 6^th Form, I managed to achieve some amazing results, especially considering I had had a 2-year break from these subjects, was diagnosed with dyslexia, and had to re-learn the fundamentals in GCSE years to keep up. I was accepted to Writtle University College, which offers an undergraduate Integrated Masters Degree in Vet. Physio. The course was endorsed by the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) and other leading regulatory bodies and associations in the profession.

After four incredible years in a beautiful Essex village, I graduated in 2022 with the Integrated Masters Degree. I set up Delta Veterinary Physiotherapy and started working as an employed vet physio in a veterinary hospital.

That brings me to now. Delta VP is flourishing, with such a variety of cases. I really do the best job in the world. Using extensive knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to help animals really is the mix I had been looking for.