Apollo Animal Physiotherapy

"I firmly believe that each human being has something in this world that they are supposed to devote their time and passion towards. The Japanese call this idea ‘Ikigai’ – a reason for being. There are four parts to this concept. The first is “that which you love” – I have had a strong, deep connection to animals since I can remember. I would count down the seconds at school until I could run all the way to the stables, and if you had a dog you could almost forget any interaction with me – I would be talking pretty much exclusively with your dog! I have a very old ex-racehorse, a spirited younger horse that I’ve had since he was a foal, and a 7 yo black labrador, all of which I love dearly. They are my version of meditation every day – my absolute favourite part!

The second part to ‘Ikigai’ is “that which you are good at” – my devotion to animals has led me down a path of self-enlightenment regarding animal welfare. In retrospect, I have had many animals in the past who were signalling to me that they were not 100% comfortable. However, I was not aware of their condition, simply because I did not know to look for the signs! My inquisitive nature has inspired my career journey through Master’s Level training with the University of Nottingham & a consistent minimum of 3 CPD activities a year alongside professional body IRVAP. It is imperative to be a lifelong learner with an open mind to truly be the best in your field that you can be.

The third part is “that which the world needs” – I support the idea that we must all try to leave the world in a better place than we found it, and I intend to make an impact on the lives of the animals I work with through improvements in the awareness of animal welfare. My career has enabled me to access an unprecedented amount of high-quality, peer-reviewed research. Through the acquisition of this knowledge I am now able to pass this on to other people through the services of physiotherapy.

The last is “that which you can be paid for” – let’s be honest, we all need to make a living. But I’m not just being paid in money! I am being blessed with the variety of personalities I get to work with, as well as being part of the team that allows them to live a happy, functional life. I count my blessings every day; grateful that I am able to make a difference through a career that I absolutely love."

I look forward to helping you & your animals.