Polly Hutson MSc, BSc (Hons), MSCP, HPC, OCPPP, ACPAT A
Animal Physiotherapist
Specialist in the physiotherapeutic treatment of horses, dogs and cats.
Contact Top Dog for an appointment with Polly - 01264 771824
HOW DO I KNOW MY ANIMAL NEEDS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Animals are no different to people in that they too can experience neurological and musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, tendon and ligament sprains,
muscle strains and they also require rehabilitation following surgery. People, however can describe their pain verbally but animals show discomfort by a
change in behaviour or by moving differently.
DOGS
Both dogs (and cats) benefit from physiotherapy following orthopaedic surgery, if he is lame, has back pain, or to aid recovery following a neurological
problem. All conditions should be thoroughly investigated by your vet.
WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
It is a therapy that uses physical agents such as massage, manipulation, mobilisations, exercise, and electrotherapies to treat a wide variety of
musculoskeletal problems.
The type of problems treated by physiotherapy includes back pain, joint problems, muscle strains, tendon and ligament sprains, post surgery, movement
dysfunctions, performance problems, neurological conditions, sports injuries and also injury prevention.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
The physiotherapist will first discuss the current problem and then perform a full assessment. In the case of horses, this will involve watching it move both
in hand, maybe on a lunge and perhaps also be seen ridden. In the case of dogs and cats movement will be observed.
Muscles and joints will be palpated/felt for any tenderness, tightness or muscle spasm. All the findings will then be collated and a treatment plan and
rehabilitation program formulated appropriate to the animal’s condition.
WHAT SORT OF TREATMENT WILL MY ANIMAL RECIEVE?
The treatment will depend on the findings of the assessment. Treatment techniques that may be used include soft tissue massage, mobilisation and
manipulation of joints, trigger point release, stretches, and electrotherapy such as ultrasound, H-wave and muscle stimulation, and exercises.
She will then contact your vet to obtain veterinary permission prior to seeing your animal.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Horses: the initial assessment is £50 (plus a travel charge to be agreed upon)
Dogs: the initial assessment is £35(plus a travel charge to be agreed upon
CAN I CLAIM OFF MY INSURANCE?
Yes if your vet has recommended physiotherapy treatment.
Polly is a Chartered Physiotherapist and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (MCSP) and (ACPAT) the Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. Under the veterinary act Polly will only work with your animal with permission or a referral from your vet.
Polly qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of the West of England in 1998. She as worked as a human physiotherapist for the last 8 years. In
2004 she completed an MSc in sports physiotherapy for the University College London. Also in 2004 Polly went to Athens for the Olympics where she
worked as a volunteer physiotherapist at the equestrian venue. This fuelled a life long ambition to become an animal physiotherapist. In 2006 she became a
category A member of ACPAT and worked for a year with Amanda Sutton. Polly is also a visiting lecture on the new MSc in Veterinary physiotherapy for
the UWE/Hartpury College.
Animal Physiotherapist
Specialist in the physiotherapeutic treatment of horses, dogs and cats.
Contact Top Dog for an appointment with Polly - 01264 771824
HOW DO I KNOW MY ANIMAL NEEDS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Animals are no different to people in that they too can experience neurological and musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, tendon and ligament sprains,
muscle strains and they also require rehabilitation following surgery. People, however can describe their pain verbally but animals show discomfort by a
change in behaviour or by moving differently.
DOGS
Both dogs (and cats) benefit from physiotherapy following orthopaedic surgery, if he is lame, has back pain, or to aid recovery following a neurological
problem. All conditions should be thoroughly investigated by your vet.
WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
It is a therapy that uses physical agents such as massage, manipulation, mobilisations, exercise, and electrotherapies to treat a wide variety of
musculoskeletal problems.
The type of problems treated by physiotherapy includes back pain, joint problems, muscle strains, tendon and ligament sprains, post surgery, movement
dysfunctions, performance problems, neurological conditions, sports injuries and also injury prevention.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
The physiotherapist will first discuss the current problem and then perform a full assessment. In the case of horses, this will involve watching it move both
in hand, maybe on a lunge and perhaps also be seen ridden. In the case of dogs and cats movement will be observed.
Muscles and joints will be palpated/felt for any tenderness, tightness or muscle spasm. All the findings will then be collated and a treatment plan and
rehabilitation program formulated appropriate to the animal’s condition.
WHAT SORT OF TREATMENT WILL MY ANIMAL RECIEVE?
The treatment will depend on the findings of the assessment. Treatment techniques that may be used include soft tissue massage, mobilisation and
manipulation of joints, trigger point release, stretches, and electrotherapy such as ultrasound, H-wave and muscle stimulation, and exercises.
She will then contact your vet to obtain veterinary permission prior to seeing your animal.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Horses: the initial assessment is £50 (plus a travel charge to be agreed upon)
Dogs: the initial assessment is £35(plus a travel charge to be agreed upon
CAN I CLAIM OFF MY INSURANCE?
Yes if your vet has recommended physiotherapy treatment.
Polly is a Chartered Physiotherapist and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (MCSP) and (ACPAT) the Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. Under the veterinary act Polly will only work with your animal with permission or a referral from your vet.
Polly qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of the West of England in 1998. She as worked as a human physiotherapist for the last 8 years. In
2004 she completed an MSc in sports physiotherapy for the University College London. Also in 2004 Polly went to Athens for the Olympics where she
worked as a volunteer physiotherapist at the equestrian venue. This fuelled a life long ambition to become an animal physiotherapist. In 2006 she became a
category A member of ACPAT and worked for a year with Amanda Sutton. Polly is also a visiting lecture on the new MSc in Veterinary physiotherapy for
the UWE/Hartpury College.
| TEL/FAX: 01264 771824 |
| enquiries@topdoghydrotherapy.com |
| Physiotherapy |