Shackleton - Veterinary Physiotherapy

Shackleton - Veterinary Physiotherapy Expert Veterinary Physiotherapy for pets, zoos, and professionals. Based in Chester, we offer premium recovery programmes for dogs, cats, and rabbits.

We provide industry-leading CPD, university lecturing and specialist zoo consultancy worldwide. 🐶🦁🎓

29/05/2026

Myself and Nicky from Shaping Behaviour are super excited to be running our workshop at this amazing collection. Working with the keepers and amazing species to demonstrate the importance of behaviour and training, in assessment and continued health of animals in our care.

https://shackletonvetphysio.com/training-for-life/

🐾 Animals can’t tell us when they’re in pain... but their behavior can.​As caretakers, one of our biggest challenges is ...
26/05/2026

🐾 Animals can’t tell us when they’re in pain... but their behavior can.

​As caretakers, one of our biggest challenges is spotting the subtle shifts. A change in behavior isn't always just "attitude"—it is often the first sign of discomfort, changing mobility, or chronic pain.

​Our upcoming "Training for Life" workshop is diving deep into the powerful connection between health, behavior, and management. We are moving past basic care to give you a complete toolkit for lifelong management.

​What we are covering:

​Mobility Assessment & Treatment: How to evaluate an animals movement, and how training and enrichment is a major tool in wild captive species.

​Pain & Behavior Monitoring: How to read the subtle behavioral cues that signal pain before it becomes a major issue. The role behaviour plays in pain experience, and both disease and recovery overtime.

​Training & Functional Enrichment: How to use daily training and enrichment design for active Assessment, within treatment plans and promote health to support lifelong comfort and mobility.

​Whether you look after domestic pets, exotics, or zoo collections, this is your chance to learn a more comprehensive and contemporary approach to geriatric care and disease prevention, that can help to enhance normal interventions

​Don't wait until mobility declines—learn how to assess, monitor, and work proactively
​👉 Secure your spot and view the full event details here: https://shackletonvetphysio.com/training-for-life/

22/05/2026

It was an absolute pleasure to attend and speak at my second . It was an honor to be asked to join the clinical panel back in 2024, and to get to meet and work alongside the phenomenal people who make up the VOA.

I delivered two lectures: one on reptile musculoskeletal health, and another on feline pain identification and facilitating treatment in cats (given natural history as mesopredators). I also recorded an episode for the Nupsala Ltd (Part of the Nupsala Group) Podcast, which was an absolute pleasure.

I was lucky enough to catch talks by the amazing Stuart Carmichael, Nichi Cockburn, Elisabetta Mancinelli, Maria Johnston, and Laura Allmark.

rehabilitation

14/05/2026

16 years young today! 🎈

Happy Birthday to our amazing Toller, Zac! 🐾

As veterinary physiotherapists, we treat osteoarthritis and spinal conditions every day. But when it’s your own dog, it hits differently.

Zac has mild hip osteoarthritis and was previously diagnosed with Grade 1 Type II IVDD, a condition that causes gradual spinal disc degeneration. Instead of letting him slow down, we used targeted physiotherapy to maintain his core strength, protect his spine, and keep his joints moving.

Today, he is active, comfortable, and celebrating a huge milestone. 🧡

Early intervention and rehabilitation make all the difference for arthritic or neurological dogs.

DM us now to arrange a 15 minute discovery call and see how we could help your dog live an active life into their senior years.

13/05/2026

🐾 ZOO MINDSET FOR ARTHRITIC DOGS 🐾

Ever wondered what a lizard and a senior Labrador have in common?

More than you think. In this snippet from my chat with Hannah at Canine Arthritis Management (members podcast), I dive into why environmental management is a complete game-changer for arthritic dogs.

Before working with domestic pets, my world was zoo animals. As a zookeeper and zoo physiotherapist, managing the surroundings wasn't an afterthought. It was the foundation of health. In the zoo world, we know habitat dictates biology. You cannot keep a reptile healthy without precise lighting and temperature gradients. It can also be challenging to maintain health if we have restrictions in natural behaviour.

The environment directly drives physical and mental health.This exact zoo mindset informs my domestic practice every single day. Our homes are habitats.

For a dog with arthritis, minor household tweaks can reduce pain and stress faster than medication alone.

LET'S CHAT: What is one micro-change you have made to your home to help your dog get around easier? (Rugs, ramps, raised bowls?) Let me know in the comments!

🔗 WANT MORE? Drop the word "ENVIRONMENT" below, and I will send you a free resource to get you started.

11/05/2026

How do you accurately assess lameness in a Bear, or manage the training of a herd if Bison?

Join me and for an immersive workshop at Wildwood Trust as we explore Training for Life through the lens of wild animal care.

​We’ll be moving beyond the basics and looking at real-world practicals and demos involving some of the UK’s most iconic wildlife. Whether you’re a professional in the field or a dedicated student of animal science, this day will change how you view animal behaviour and pain.

​🔥 EARLY BIRD SAVINGS: Grab your tickets now to save on your booking! Space is strictly limited to ensure a high-quality experience for all attendees.

​🔗 Link to book:
https://shackletonvetphysio.com/product/training-for-life-wildwood-trust/

Or message us for more details.

Happy birthday, David Attenborough! He has been such an inspiration to us at Shackleton Vet Physio. As a child, I rememb...
08/05/2026

Happy birthday, David Attenborough! He has been such an inspiration to us at Shackleton Vet Physio. As a child, I remember watching The Trials of Life on TV instead of cartoons, and I was lucky to be gifted his books, VHS tapes, and DVDs throughout the years. Along with my family, he was a massive reason I fell in love with wildlife and why we do what we do today. So, thank you, and happy 100th!

06/05/2026

Regaining freedom: is your dog ready for wheels? 🐾 🐕

Whether your dog is navigating a neurological condition or a musculoskeletal injury, a wheelchair is more than just a mobility aid, it is a bridge to a better quality of life.

Movement is medicine. The right chair helps support current function by keeping muscles active and can be a vital tool to aid recovery by providing a stable environment for rehabilitation.

Expert fitting and lifestyle advice

Getting the right setup can be overwhelming. A poorly fitted chair can cause discomfort or even secondary injuries. That is where we come in. We offer a professional assessment and fitting service to ensure your pup is safe, balanced, and mobile.

We can help you by:

Adjusting your current chair: if you already have wheels, we will ensure they are perfectly tuned to your dog’s body and specific needs.

Lifestyle and management advice: we provide guidance on how to safely integrate the chair into your daily routine, including exercise duration and navigating different terrains.

Safety checks: we ensure the setup is functional and safe for daily use.

When is it time?

If your dog is struggling with hind end weakness, knuckling, or tiring easily, an expert fitting and the right management plan can make all the difference in their confidence.

Let’s get those tails wagging again!

DM us to book a mobility consultation. Whether you need help with a chair you already own or need professional advice on how to manage their new lifestyle, we are here to help.

Community question:

Does your dog use any extra gear for their walks, such as boots, harnesses, or wheels? Let’s share tips in the comments! 🦴✨

PetWellness DogHealthTips MobilityMatters

01/05/2026

They told us to say goodbye. Stan had other plans. 🐾

At 11 years old, Stan’s world changed in an instant when he suffered an FCE (a spinal stroke). It was a heartbreaking time, and his owners were faced with the toughest advice: many friends and family suggested it might be time to put him to sleep. 💔

But Stan and his family weren’t ready to give up.

Through sheer determination, a lot of hard work, and a dedicated physiotherapy regime, Stan recovered. Today, he’s back on his paws, finding his feet, and showing us all exactly what resilience looks like. 🦴✨

Recovery isn't always a straight line, but Stan is proof that with the right support, even the most daunting days can be overcome.

We want to hear from you:
❤️ Drop a heart in the comments to send Stan some love for his incredible recovery!
💬 Have you ever navigated a difficult diagnosis with your pet? Share your stories below to inspire others in the same boat.

Need support for your pet?
If your dog is struggling with mobility or recovering from an injury, don't go it alone. We specialise in helping pets like Stan find their strength again.
📩 DM us today or click the link in our bio to book a physiotherapy consultation.

28/04/2026

This is Riesen the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, who our Vet Physio, Louise, saw for a sporting dog MOT in Chester. 🐾

Notice the deep relaxation? That’s the result of releasing chronic tension in the forelimbs. ☁️

Many dogs carry extra weight on their front legs due to leaning forwards, leading to incredibly tight shoulders (the ‘scapula’ area). By using manual therapy such as massage, PROM (passive range of motion), stretches, and scapula glides, we can help restore the fluid movement they used to have. ✨

Riesen went from ‘tight and restricted’ to ‘deep relaxation’ in just one session. The look on her face at the end says it all! 😂

Do you have a senior dog who seems a bit stiff in the mornings? Let’s get them moving comfortably again. 🦴

📍 Based in Chester and the Wirral.
🔗 Tap the link in our bio to book a free discovery call.

Address

Chester
CH21HE

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