Canine Hydro & Rehabilitation Centre in Kent

Aim

This project will provide the funds to prepare a premise for use as an innovative rehabilitation centre for dogs in South East Kent.

Opening Statement

This project will provide for the preparation of a premise to create an innovative rehabilitation centre for dogs in South East Kent. I am a fully qualified veterinary physiotherapist based in South East Kent. I have purchased all equipment needed for the rehabilitation of dogs following musculoskeletal or neurological injury & disease, with the aim of providing a functional, active lifestyle for each individual. 

What does this project hope to achieve?

I am a veterinary physiotherapist. I provide physical therapy to animals with musculoskeletal or neurological injury & disease. Physiotherapy utilises a multitude of techniques to provide an individual rehabilitation program for each case. Techniques used in animal physiotherapy include manual therapy such as massage, myofascial release & passive stretching; electrical therapies such as laser, ultrasound & TENS/NMES, and water-based therapies with an underwater treadmill.

Hydrotherapy, or the use of an underwater treadmill, for rehabilitation is a fairly well-known & accepted form of physical therapy that veterinarians are more aware of as a tool than physiotherapy as a whole. The issue in the South East of Kent is that there is a lack of high-quality, professional hydrotherapy centres for vets to refer to that are managed by a qualified veterinary physiotherapist. This project hopes to fulfil the needs of a clear gap in the availability of high-quality rehabilitation for dogs in the Kent region.

This project has already achieved the first major hurdles – six years of university education, working experience, electrical equipment & hydrotherapy treadmill. The final stage that this project will help with is the preparation of a premise whereby all equipment can be utilised under one roof.

What makes this project so great?
Laura is a highly qualified, motivated individual running the project with clear, ethical aims (see Laura’s training & practice ethos). Veterinarians & owners can be confident they are choosing high-quality facilities, capable of treating a variety of conditions with a multitude of therapies available to choose from.

Laura's Training & Practice Ethos

1) Every animal deserves the best available treatment
I have always had a deep & powerful connection with animals. Owning & caring for many horses, dogs & cats from a young age encouraged me to develop my academic skill set to provide an informed, ethical & dedicated physical therapy service. The foundation of expertise is high-quality education - I discovered the amazing veterinary physiotherapy postgraduate degree (now taught at the University of Nottingham by Dr Richard Payne) and qualified as a veterinary physiotherapist in June 2018. Learning is a bit of an obsession of mine, as such I have continued with my education, specialising my knowledge to provide the most appropriate care for the animals within my locality.

2) Owners should be supported in their animals' health care
I  work closely with the veterinary profession as well as with other professionals, including veterinary practitioners in acupuncture & chiropractics, animal trainers and behaviour specialists, riding instructors, equine dentists, saddle fitters and hoof care specialists. I am a firm believer in a holistic approach to animal care and will provide you with the most accurate, evidence-based professional care attainable.

3) Our animals can have longer, happier, more functional lives
My mission is to provide owners with the resources required to provide their animal with the longest, most comfortable and rewarding lives. It is the unique amalgamation of my university education & continuous professional development alongside professional body IRVAP that enables me to choose from a wide range of skills & knowledge; allowing me to efficiently and comprehensively manage an individual's pain or movement dysfunction, and where needed assist clients in long-term self management of problems.

How is the money being spent?

This project hopes to fulfil all work necessary to get the premise safe to function, including:

• Access & toilet facilities for users
• Underwater treadmill refurbishment & installation
• Electrics, lighting & heating replaced & installed with energy efficient models
• Flooring replaced with suitable rehabilitation mats

Following on from the establishment of the centre, I will be looking to take on local college graduates to train to become canine hydrotherapists to work at the centre.

How can you help us?

The cost of the project is in the region of £10,000. We have made a number grant applications and received some positive responses, however, we must demonstrate our commitment to the project by raising a proportion of the overall costs ourselves.

Rewards

The rewards outlined in this project allow for anyone to make a contribution, knowing your gift will always be remembered. The facilites we have dreamed of having are within our grasp, please support our crowdfunding project to help make our dream become a reality. Together we can make South East Kent a rehab centre of which the whole community can be proud.

Testimonials of Laura’s Work

Julian & Siberian Husky Aladdin

Laura was very easy to deal with, her communication prior to our first appointment was polite, punctual and friendly. On the day of our first session she took the time to get to know us and importantly our dog’s health history. Her assessment and analysis of his problems was extremely thorough and she took the time to explain everything to us so we could also understand what she was doing and how it would help our dog.

The session lasted longer than we expected as Laura treated our dog and also made him do various postural/strength exercises. A couple of days later our dog displays definite improvements and is happier and more comfortable.

A few hours after our dog’s consultation we received via email excellent and extensive reports including comprehensive guides on how to do the exercises with our dog on a daily basis. We have printed these off and are having fun doing these with him and he enjoys them too.

 I can thoroughly recommend Apollo Animal Physiotherapy! We are very happy customers and will definitely continue to use their services.

Chris Dyas & Dog Gunner

So good with my labrador gunner.. He's a very active retriever and normally cautious with people he doesn't know in the house. Laura makes him feel very relaxed and calm also while checking and testing that he's maintaining good posture and has given us a stretch program and now has gained a better range of movement through out his front legs and is less stiff. He seems like a 2 year old again! Would definitely recommend if you care about your pets wellbeing!

This project successfully funded on 30th April 2020