At Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy, we believe in the importance of a holistic and individualised approach to assessment and treatment. Following a thorough assessment of your animal’s environment, activity levels and management, as well as musculoskeletal and neurological health, we tailor a unique rehabilitation/prevention plan to suit both you and your animal’s lifestyle.
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Matthew and Louise studied animal behaviour at undergraduate level and focus on ensuring that animals are calm and have positive experiences of physiotherapy treatment. We feel that this is particularly important as stress impacts healing and rehabilitation, and reducing stress levels gives your animal the best chance to improve.
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As well as providing effective treatment for your animal during sessions we aim to provide you with the knowledge and skills to support your animal each day. As experienced animal science teachers/lecturers, we focus on helping owners to provide effective exercise prescription and management to support your animal’s Vet Physio sessions.
Louise and Matthew own two dogs (Border collie Poppy and Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever Zac) and Doona the cat.
Louise Lefrere BSc (Hons) PGDipVetPhys PGCE PGCert MIRVAP(VP)
Louise qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist with a Distinction in the Post-Graduate Diploma from the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Science. She previously obtained a BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour from the University of Liverpool, and has many years’ experience of using positive reinforcement training techniques with dogs, horses, cats and zoo animals, with particular emphasis on supporting calm behaviour. Louise is also a qualified teacher/lecturer and previously taught animal sciences at school (14-16) and Further Education level within land-based colleges. Louise’s approach to Veterinary Physiotherapy prioritises evidence-based medicine; having completed a PGCert in Research Methods in 2009, she is particularly focused on the importance of a scientific approach to physiotherapy treatment. Louise is fully insured and registered by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists to treat domestic species. Louise enjoys training her animals and has previously taken part in agility and Hoopers training with her two dogs, who are now retired.
Matthew Shackleton BSc (Hons) PGCert MScVetPhys PTLLS MIRVAP(VP)
Matthew has a Master’s degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, where he now works part-time as a Teaching Associate. Matthew has a background in zoo-keeping, and teaching zoo and behavioural sciences, and completed research into Komodo dragon locomotion with the support of major UK zoos and experts at the Royal veterinary college. He treats wild and domesticated animals and delivers BIAZA accredited CPD for veterinary and zoo professionals as part of SVP, and is also a regular guest speaker at Universities and conferences (including BVZS, VETRUST, RVC, BHS, RAWG). He has also recently written a book chapter on the use of physiotherapy in geriatric captive animals, and risks that may be associated with more traditional physical therapy approaches due to stress or contraindications for certain pathologies and taxonomic groups.
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