Issue 28 : simplebooklet.com

ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 54PHOTIZO RED LIGHT THERAPYANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINEGET INTOUCH Hannah Ashton Editor hannah@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Georgina Bashforth Graphics Editor georgina@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Beth Lorraine Sales Manager info@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Tony Nevin Podcasts & Research tony@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Operations Team Ruth Milner ruth@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Sophie Milner sophie@animaltherapymedia.co.uk Nicola Ravensford nicola@animaltherapymedia.co.uk To subscribe with us or join our mailing list please visit our website www.animaltherapymedia.co.uks a registered charity, over the years, Glendrick has offered a ‘home for life’ for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals. It protects and gives welfare to unfortunate animals often arriving distressed, in need of love, care and veterinary attention. Welcoming all creatures great and small from gerbils, chickens, dogs, cats, goats, donkeys, cattle, sheep and even a Clydesdale horse. In 2017, founder Mione Morrison’s attention was drawn to a senior Rottweiler mix, in a shelter abroad. Abandoned due to a cancer diagnosis, she was left alone in a bare concrete kennel. She explained: “There was something about this dog that caught my eye, she wasn’t done with life yet, but had little hope left due to her mammary cancer diagnosis. She looked broken from rejection, her eyes appealing to be released from her confinement. I felt an inexplicable connection, so it Anna Webb is a Canine Nutrition and Behaviour expert, Anna combines her psychology degree, with study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and over 20 years’ experience. Host of the award-nominated A DOG’S LIFE podcast, she lives in London, and is owned by Prudence a Miniature Bull Terrier and Mr Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier. Glendrick Roost an animal sanctuary situated near Stirlingsituated on the borders of Loch Lomond and Trussocks National ParkAwasn’t long before RubyLu arrived at her forever home at Glendrick Roost. RubyLu was about seven years old when she arrived, and settled into life at Glendrick like a duck to water. Aware of her cancer prognosis we ensured her optimum nutrition with fresh raw meat, whole raw eggs from our own chickens, fresh leafy greens and meaty bones for enrichment. We added a CBD oil and a Golden Paste to boost RubyLu’s immune system, and pre-empt any pain. We also integrated Reiki sessions offered by Alison McKinnon, who is a Reiki Practitioner and tutor with SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association). Five years later In September 2022 , RubyLu was living her best life, enjoying the company of other animals, including 14 blind dogs, two Tripods, of all shapes and sizes. Becoming friends with the goats and the donkeys, but especially going for long walks in the stunning National Park until one day she collapsed after jumping off her usual park bench. Rushing her to local vet, Struthers & Scott Veterinary Practice, they were unable to diagnose this sudden paralysis. Following further investigation and neurology tests at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, RubyLu was diagnosed with suspected acute Polyradiculoneuritis. She was then referred to Veterinary Animal Physiotherapist, Susan Fotheringham, BSc MSc AdvCertVetPhys. Susan explained; “Despite RubyLu’s initial presentation being severe only being able to lie in lateral recumbency, yet her tail never stopped wagging. She was bright eyed, but functionally, whilst her forelegs had some movement, her hind limbs had no active movement. She had significant atrophy of the muscles over her shoulder blades, down her back (particularly lower back), around her hips and down her back legs. Thankfully RubyLu still had her reflexes to deep pain, indicative of detecting sensation”. Author Anna Webb, journalist, and canine and nutrition expertWELCOME BACK We are delighted to be back with issue 28, and with the addition of a fantastic team we so excited for the future of the magazine and some additional features to be announced in the near future. The response to our relaunch has been overwhelming. We know there is a real need for a resource like this to keep professionals and owners up to date as well as expand their knowledge in a variety topics. We love that our writers are out in the field doing what they do best. In this industry we never stop learning and as such there are always new and interesting case studies, veterinary advances and product development that needs to be shared. A huge thank you to our writers and advertisers, we hope you enjoy the content as much as we have enjoyed getting it together. Information on how to subscribe so you don't miss an issue is inside. Huge thanks Te a m AT M ISSUE 29 will be out 10th November 2023 While every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct at the time of going to print, Animal Therapy Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based upon the information contained in this publication or website. The publishers or authors do not give any warrenty for the completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, explanation or opinion. No part of this publication and/ or website maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form withour prior written permission of Animal Therapy Media Ltd and/or the authors of the articles within. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing. Front cover image: Jasper at Badminton Horse Trials Curtesy of: Georgina Bashforth

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Danetre Health Products Limited 01327 310909  info@danetrehealthproducts.com PhotizoUk  PhotizoUk  PhotizoUkwww.danetrehealthproducts.comDesigned for use on domestic pets, horsesand many other animals. Photobiomodulationfacilitates faster natural healing, pain relief andreduces swelling and inﬂammation.Highly beneﬁcial for arthritic pain and joint stiﬀness.Non-invasivephotobiomodulation for acute & chronicconditionsContact us today about practitioner discountsIdeal for: Post surgery / acute & chronic wounds Musculoskeletal injuries / conditions Muscle recovery in animal athletes Arthritis or joint dysplasia pain  Swelling / inﬂammation Deep tissue bruising Joint stiﬀness...plus many moreANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 6PHOTIZO RED LIGHT THERAPYRubyLu’s weekly Physiotherapy sessions included treatments combining electrotherapy; pulsed magnetic field therapy to stimulate nerve function, laser to help to increase energy at a cellular level to her muscles, nerves and joints and ultrasound over her lower back and down her back legs. Advising Mione on specific exercises to practice every day in-between sessions, including paw tickling movements to heighten nerve signals through her feet, as well as some supported standing and supported walking exercises with a ‘Help ‘Em Up’ Harness, that helped lift, encourage Ruby Lu to stand and get her balance. Mione explains: “The first few weeks were very hard. Every day I spent four hours devoted to her exercises, massage and adding Reiki. But progress was slow. On Alison McKinnon’s recommendation, I reached out to Photizo’s UK distributor Danetre Health Products, who sent us a Vetcare. Designed for home use, it proved invaluable in-between our weekly Physio sessions to keep up and advance RubyLu’s healing.” As a non-invasive device, the Vetcare offered its LED sourced red and near-infrared light energy delivered in pre-programed 30 second doses. I targeted specific areas like her paws, shoulders, hips, front, back legs and her acupressure points. Using the device to warm up RubyLu’s muscles before our daily exercise routine, and help to facilitate deeper healing. Being so easy to use, with no need for goggles, I could see the positive difference in RubyLu’s body posture and tail wagging when using the Vetcare. I’d read how the various Vetcare biostimulatory effects include promoting circulation, reducing inflammation and pain. After eight weeks, close to Christmas, RubyLu suddenly took a massive leap forward. Walking RubyLu, albeit slowly and a bit wobbly, into our Physiotherapy session, rather than carrying her! It was the best Christmas present ever! We’ve just celebrated Easter weekend and RubyLu’s on-going recovery astounds our Vet. “We continue to work through her exercises, incorporating our Vetcare, ensuring RubyLu enjoys every day - step by step”. Ruth Milner, Director at Danetre Health Products enthused: “We’re so delighted that the Vetcare has helped RubyLu on her road to recovery so far and continues to do so. The Photizo concept is the culmination from years of research in this field of photomedicine and harnesses high output LED technology rather than pinpoint laser to deliver the health benefits of red and near-infrared wavelengths. This therapeutic modality was defined by MeSH in 2015 as Photobiomodulation (PBM). A PBM device that delivers a highly effective dose and applied appropriately is becoming increasingly accepted for the positive reactive and proactive benefits. Since its launch in the UK in 2013, Photizo Vetcare now celebrating it’s 10th birthday, has helped hundreds of animals both in practice and at home for animals with acute and chronic conditions as well as for working animals. We’re excited to hear about RubyLu’s on-going healing journey and all the other animals at Glendrick Roost” who can benefit from a healing hand with Photizo Vetcare’s red light. www.glendrickroost.org.uk www.annawebb.co.uk www.danetrehealthproducts.com

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 98LEUCILLIN SKINCARE LEUCILLIN SKINCAREAntibiotics, A Concise History Antibiotics are essential medicines in both human and veterinary care, they are chemicals designed to inactivate or damage bacteria which are causing, or contributing towards infection and disease. The term antibiotic is used universally to describe this whole range of chemicals, some naturally produced whilst others are man-made. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses at all. Antibiotics have been used for millennia to treat infections, although until the last century people did not know the infections were caused by bacteria. Various moulds and plant extracts were used to treat infections by some of the earliest civilisations, however not until the 20th century, infections that we now consider straightforward to treat, such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, were the number one cause of human death in the developed world. Alexander Fleming a Scottish bacteriologist is best known for his discovery of penicillin, however it was in 1909 a German physician by the name of Paul Ehrlich who discovered that a chemical called arsphenamine was an effective treatment for syphilis, this became the first modern antibiotic. Alexander Fleming shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain for their role in creating the first mass-produced antibiotic, by D-Day in 1944, penicillin was being widely used to treat troops for infections both in the field and in hospitals throughout Europe. By the end of World War II, penicillin was nicknamed 'the wonder drug'. A Cause For Concern Antibiotic resistance (AR) is an important topic of discussion for both the medical and veterinary professions and is rapidly becoming is one of the greatest threats to health globally. For decades, there has been a tendency to use antibiotics “just in case” there might be infection, or because infection could develop. The emphasis is now on using antibiotics only when there is no alternative. In the UK, AR has been placed on the Government’s national risk register alongside terrorism and pandemic ‘flu’ as part of a ‘One Health’ strategy for tackling resistance, the medical and veterinary professions have been tasked with reducing unnecessary and inappropriate prescriptions. In a number of European countries, antibiotic use in animals has been restricted to ensure the most important treatments are reserved for humans. Farmers have reduced antibiotic use dramatically and the equine industry is now under pressure to do the same. AR is a concern in a wide range of equine pathogens, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and a wide range of other opportunistic pathogens. In order to save our antibiotics, it is time to work together. We all need to take action in promoting responsible use of antibiotics, every horse owner has a responsibility to support their vet and to work with them to balance their horse’s immediate requirements. our role Reducing Antibiotic Dependence First do no harm The Hippocratic Oath, perhaps the most widely known of Greek medical texts where professional, ethical standards are sworn upon by new physicians. The Oath is not required by the Veterinary industry however on admission to membership of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in exchange for the right to practise veterinary surgery in the UK, every veterinary surgeon makes an equivalent declaration.looking at our options Trusting & supporting the immune system Supporting good gut health builds a strong immune system, Antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately and can cause diarrhoea or other infections by removing the “friendly” bacteria, choosing species appropriate nutrition and healthcare management practices during your everyday care can build a more resilient animal, not every infection will require the use of antibiotics. Work with your Veterinarian Vets can often feel pressured to prescribe antibiotics, let them know you are aware of the issues and are happy to explore the options available. Get a thorough diagnosis, ask if any tests are available to guide options rather than using antibiotics because your horse might have a bacterial infection, testing is often less expensive and ensures that funds are not wasted on ineffective treatment. If your horse does require antibiotics, check with your vet which class they propose to use. Work with them to avoid the use of highest-priority critically important antibiotics (HP-CIAs) Under-dosing increases the risk of resistant bacteria developing, complete the prescribed course. Guard against infection Prevention is better than cure. Maintain gates, fencing and regularly check grazing and stabling are all in good functional condition to prevent unnecessary injury, avoid turning out in wet muddy conditions for long period of time. Good housing and air quality hygiene lessens the likelihood of respiratory infection, maintain regular dental checks to help prevent dental infection. Practice good biosecurity measures to prevent any spread of bacteria.Increasing education of topical skin management optionsHistory of HOCL Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a biocide produced by the mammalian body, it is a weak acidic chlorine which is naturally produced by Leukocytes or Neutrophils to fight invading pathogens (bacterial, viral and fungal). During tissue injury or infection, neutrophils, white blood cells, travel to the site of infection where they capture and engulf the pathogen then produce HOCl to destroy these harmful pathogens. HOCl was first identified in 1811 by Sir Humphry Davy as what the body produces, in 1823 Davy's student, Michael Faraday managed to isolate and produce HOCl by electrolysis passing current through brine solution. It wasn’t until 1914 during the First World War that HOCl was used where a “field lab” could be set up. The biggest challenge with using this remarkable natural chemical was harnessing its potential with production of HOCl having a shelf life of only 5 to 25 hours. Harnessing the bodies’ natural defences HOCl kills all bacteria, spores and viruses from MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. Diff), E. coli and Salmonella on contact. HOCl being an oxidant, leaves nothing behind for bacteria and viruses to create resistance and therefore does not contribute to the superbug (multi drug-resistant organisms) dilemma. Leucillin is stabilized HOCl with an effective shelf life of 24 months, it is non-cytotoxic, it’s concentration (parts per million) and pH level have been specifically formulated for optimum product efficacy and safety without usage constrains. Leucillin’s versatility of on skin applications provides reliable efficiency removing concern regarding resistance contributed to by inferior on skin disinfectants.

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Antiseptic SkincareTHE NATURAL WAY TO CARE FOR YOUR HORSE info@leucillin.co.uk www.leucillin.co.uk 0345 548 9800Gordon the Valais sheep tore straight along this flank on a rusty nail stuck out of a broken fence. The Vet was called whom gave one single dose of an antibiotic, advised to keep the wound clean and approved the use of Leucillin for this. We started using Leucillin, I was packing it with medical grade honey, I was doing it twice a day and couldn't believe how clean it stayed, we stopped using the honey because we were finding that it was falling out anyway and I was putting a lot of Leucillin on it. He was kept on pain relief for three days because it was a very sore and he was lame. Using Leucillin kept the wound clean and it healed well.” If you can manage it topically without having to go for antibiotics, obviously it's never going to be a replacement if you've got a lot of internal damage or something that the product can't physically get to, but if it's a topical application, Leucillin is your product Lara Rowbothham Case StudyUP TO 99.99999% GERM-KILLtough on pathogens gentle to skin“”info@leucillin.co.uk www.leucillin.co.uk 0345 548 9800fast acting formula effectively combats germs soothing & calming to; mud fever rainscald thrush cuts, nicks & grazes sweet itch ringworm weepy eyes 100% safe on all skin types day one day sevenday fourteenANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 10LEUCILLIN SKINCARERefences: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/plus/vet-clinic/antibiotic-resistance-in-horses-734958 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov https://microbiologysociety.org/ https://www.farmantibiotics.org/ Log Reduction Explained: the importance of choosing for bacterial load efficacy Log Reduction stands for a 10-fold (one decimal) or 90% reduction in numbers of live bacteria. For example a wound containing 1 million bacteria using a standard Log 3 antiseptic of 99.9% effective, out of your 1 million bacteria 10,000 will be left alive to continue to grow, multiply and potentially develop resistance, after an application of Log 7 no bacteria would survive. Due to the speed in which surviving bacterial cells can reproduce, a 99.9% kill rate is simply not sufficient to prevent re-infection and resistance. Leucillin contains proven Log 7 formula killing 99.99999% topically, ensuring that not a single pathogen cell survives. not a single pathogen cell survives The Role of Leucillin; topical management of bacteria control Leucillin is intended for cleaning, irrigating and flushing acute and chronic dermal lesions by the action of removing foreign materials, including micro-organisms and biofilms from wounds. Leucillin has been shown to be highly effective in killing drug-resistant bacteria and essentially all mammalian pathogens in both laboratory testing and actual case scenarios demonstrating no negative effects. When used as a soak on wounds followed by gentle wiping with gauze, it has been demonstrated to effect a debridement. In addition, it is not painful to the patient and tends to remove odour from the wounds. The latest test conducted by The NHS Laboratories at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Test facility; EN 13727 which supersedes many tests, Leucillin achieved a class leading 99.99999% (Log7) or maximum measurable reduction in bacteria. By using choosing better management practices, working with your vet, researching options and using responsibly the effective tools available to us we equestrians are better equipped to play our part reducing the current dependence on antibiotics.

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 1312HUMANIMAL TRUSTHUMANIMAL TRUST5Things to Know about One MedicineThe concept of One Medicine is not new. Its origins date back to the nineteenth century when Rudolf Virchow linked human and animal health. Others have since continued to expand the One Medicine concept, identifying the connections, commonalities and synergies between human and veterinary medicine. 1t was whilst studying the history of medicine that orthopaedic-neuro veterinary surgeon, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick came upon a term used to describe human and veterinary medicine working with one another: One Medicine. As a vet, Noel Fitzpatrick experienced personally the deep divide between human and animal medicine, and saw how unfair this was. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities to share what he was learning from veterinary practice, or to benefit from relevant learning from human medicine, he decided to create the platform himself. So in May 2014, he founded Humanimal Trust, the only organisation in the UK with the sole and specific purpose of progressing One Medicine. ISo what should we know about One Medicine? And how is Humanimal Trust supporting others to put One Medicine into practice? Here are 5 things to know about One MedicineThe concepts of One Medicine and One Health are not the same One Medicine is a concept whereby human and animal healthcare advance hand in hand with vets, doctors, nurses, researchers and allied professions collaborating to ensure that all humans and animals benefit from sustainable and equal medical progress, but not at the expense of an animal’s life. The key here is that One Medicine allows for a two-way street, benefitting ALL species equitably through collaboration. One Health acknowledges the inter-connection between the health of people, animals and plants, and their shared environment, an approach that brings together human and animal health professionals, as well as wildlife experts, public health practitioners and others. The focus here is on human benefit. Whilst they are inter-related, they are synergistic rather than synonymous with one another.2One Medicine could signiﬁcantly reduce the use of animals in research Many of us are familiar with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in relation to animal use in research. The principle was developed over 50 years ago providing a framework for more humane animal research. Since then, they have been embedded in national and international legislation and regulations on the use of animals in scientific procedures, as well as in the policies of organisations that fund or conduct animal research. Humanimal Trust believes that a fourth R is missing – the principle of Reciprocity, so that not only do practitioners and allied researchers benefit from medical advances, but also patients, regardless of their species. By sharing knowledge gained through treating naturally occurring diseases in both human and animal patients to inform medical research, and utilising non-animal research technology to further veterinary as well as human medicine, the Trust believes that the use of animals in research can be significantly reduced until one day, experimental animal use becomes obsolete.3Education is key to One MedicineIt is only by educating the next generation of professionals who will shape human and animal healthcare in the coming decades, that we will see a change in the professional landscape for One Medicine. To achieve this, every child needs to have an opportunity to learn about the connections between humans and animals from an early age; veterinary and human medical students need to learn with and from one another; and practitioners need to learn continuously from their peers. And it is vital that the best research, clinical practice and learning, benefiting both humans and animals, are accessible, funded, encouraged and promoted so that medical progress for all is achieved more fairly, more ethically, and more efficiently. 4When human and animal health professionals and scientists come together, great things can happenCancer research is perhaps the area for which One Medicine is most well-known. For example, dogs, long considered our best friends, don’t just share our lives, but also risk factors for certain diseases. Many diseases also share genetic similarities between humans and dogs. Canine lymphoma, the second most common cancer in dogs, has relatively similar characteristics to human non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Around 1 in 8 golden retrievers will develop canine lymphoma and CRUK estimates that 1 in 39 males and 1 in 51 females are at risk of being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both species need better, more effective ways to treat the disease and clinical trials with canine veterinary patients have been helping to fast-track the development of new treatments in this area for a number of years. The US-based DISCO initiative recognises the value of aligning veterinary and human drug development projects, and explains why it can be worthwhile to include veterinary patients at an early stage in cancer drug development trials. From shortening drug development times to encouraging cross-collaboration between the disciplines for the benefit of both human and veterinary patients, the potential advantages of this approach are clearly laid out in a landmark 2019 paper, which came about from a workshop of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s One Health committee.

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K9 Therapy Hub Join our vibrant online community for accredited CPD bitesize courses, videos, templates - supporting therapists in practice https://k9hscourses.com/k9hs-therapy-hub/ Want to advance your clinical skills?ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 14PAGE CONTENT TITLEHUMANIMAL TRUST5Humanimal Trust drives collaboration to enable others to put One Medicine into practiceIn 2020, Humanimal Trust launched the Humanimal Hub, a free online platform for all human and animal medical and veterinary professionals to meet, collaborate, share knowledge and initiate research for the benefit of both humans and animals. Anna Radford, a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist who is a member of the Hub, was looking to collaborate with an individual or group in veterinary medicine with a specialty in problems with urinary tract or kidneys and/or antimicrobial resistance. Through this platform, the Trust was able to identify a suitable professional and as a result, an interdisciplinary group has been set up to identify common urological conditions affecting both humans and companion animals.Anna was also introduced to a diagnostics company working in the animal medical care field at the Trust’s inaugural global ‘One Medicine Symposium: Stronger Together’ in May 2021. Through them, Anna has set up a new collaboration with the aim of determining whether this sort of diagnostic technology developed with companion animal medicine in mind, could potentially also be useful to help diagnose urinary, joint and cerebrospinal fluid infections in a busy NHS hospital setting. Anna has since gone on to become a Trustee of the charity, and a member of Humanimal Trust’s Science Committee.To ﬁnd out more about Humanimal Trust and One Medicine; visit www.humanimaltrust.org.ukAbout Humanimal Trust: founded in 2014 by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, known globally as a ground-breaking orthopaedic-neuro veterinary surgeon, Humanimal Trust drives collaboration between vets, doctors, researchers, nurses and allied professions so that all humans and animals benefit from sustainable and equal medical progress, but not at the expense of an animal’s life. This is One Medicine. Advances in both human and animal medicine can be achieved more quickly if there is closer collaboration and mutual learning. We believe and advocate that this will lead to progressively fewer laboratory animal tests until one day they become obsolete. Further details are available via www.humanimaltrust.org.uk/ Humanimal Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales (no. 1156927) and in Scotland (no. SC048960). For further information, please contact Claire Saralis Robinson on 07813 900542 or email claire@humanimaltrust.org.uk

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he prioritisation of the therapist’s wellbeing is not only fundamental to the individual themselves but has a huge impact on the service they provide. Establishing an appropriate work life balance ensures enormous benefits to the therapist’s professional and personal life as a whole. Wellbeing is a huge topic encompassing safe living, happiness, and good mental and physical health, and should not be compromised by work demands. A good balance enables us to feel a sense of fulfilment and contentment which releases dopamine, serotonin and endorphins into our body making us feel happy, reducing anxieties and our perception of physical pain. On the other hand, work related stress can negatively affect our physical and mental health. It leads to reduced productivity and affects the success of your business. Additionally, individuals may experience a diminished quality of life, strained relationships and low self-esteem which can lead to absenteeism and high staff turnover.ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 1716K9HS COURSESK9HS COURSESAt K9HS we understand the challenges you face as a canine therapist. That’s why we created a comprehensive online platform to help you advance your clinical skills and excel in your canine practice. The Hub offers you a wide range of micro, bitesize, mini and short certificated CPD courses. You get to choose the topic to explore and shape your clinical techniques. Whether you wish to advance your knowledge linked to clinical skills or progress your “therapeutic toolbox of techniques”, we have it covered! We know how tricky it can be to find the time to generate your business policies, procedures and forms. Our Template and Video Toolbox are unique resources specifically created for therapists. Our goal is to empower you with the clinical tools you need, to deliver a consistently exceptional service to the dogs in your professional care. What sets the Hub apart is our vibrant and supportive community. Connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences and gain valuable insights from others in the field. Together, we can inspire and advance your canine career journey. Join the K9 Therapy Hub today and unlock a world of opportunities to progress your clinical skills, transform your practice and make a positive impact on the lives of the dogs you work with. Visit our website www.k9hscourses.com and explore how the K9 Therapy Hub can support your professional growth and shape your canine career. It is essential therefore, to implement effective stress management strategies. Fostering a supportive and positive work culture is fundamental in optimising the physical, mental, and emotional health of the therapist and increasing the success of the business! There should be clear communication within the business, conflicts should be addressed promptly and confidentially, and opportunities provided for appropriate training and personal development. When therapists feel valued and supported they are more likely to experience a sense of confidence and satisfaction in their work. Whether you are a lone worker or part of a team, achieving a healthy work-life balance is crucial. Flexible diary management, adequate rest periods and a realistic workload is vital. Encouraging oneself or employees to take breaks, practice self-care and engage in activities outside of the workplace prevents burnout and supports a healthier work-life integration. Research shows that our wellbeing is improved by simply eating healthier, taking regular exercise, and giving ourselves sufficient rest to recuperate. Wellbeing in the Canine Therapy Workplace Identifying stressors in the canine workplace is critical to managing them. Workplace stress is often complex, yet we expect ourselves to deal with multiple issues on a daily basis: high workloads, interpersonal conflicts, poor resources, lack of support etc. Even seemingly minor issues such as technical glitches, running late, or managing a complex case all accumulate over time and have a negative impact on our wellbeing.TTherapists often deal not only with physical, but with complex emotional challenges at work and would benefit from the ability to access counselling and mental health resources. Mentoring and support within trusted communities is also valuable and offered by professional associations and training providers. Professionalism includes self-care. The therapist owes the same duties to themselves as they do to others, and this includes the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve integrity and maintain competencies and personal growth. The wellbeing of all therapists is key for the delivery of high-quality care and the sustainability of a successful business. Acknowledging daily challenges and taking proactive steps to support wellbeing fosters job satisfaction and professional growth. Ultimately, prioritising the health and happiness of therapists benefits both the individual providing the healthcare and the patients and owners they serve.In the demanding field of canine therapy, the wellbeing of the therapist is crucial for successful practice and essential for the overall welfare of the therapist, dog and owner clients.Introducing the K9 Therapy Hub the ultimate resource for canine therapy professionalsvibrant & supportive community

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 2120THOROUGHBRED DRESSAGETHOROUGHBRED DRESSAGEFor the Rider: • Having a fantastic home team i.e farrier, saddle fitter, trainer and physio who all work together to help you and your horse thrive in whatever direction that may be in • 'Safe' people that you can turn to and ask any set of questions, without fear or judgement • Taking advice from professionals, or those who have experienced similar situations to yourself, not a facebook thread, which can potentially lead you down a very dark hole of despair and end up making you have to justify yourself like you are on trial in a court case • Having lessons, regular training, regardless of where you are on your retraining journey. We all can always improve and develop our skills • Knowing when your horse needs a break and giving it to them. Retraining is a journey, not a 'who can complete it the quickest • Being open to the fact that there will be setbacks and days that don't go so well. These are the days when we in fact become better riders, trainers or advocates for our ex racehorses as we learn and develop • Being open to different training ideas and concepts as well as taking ideas from different disciplines to enhance your retraining journey • Being open to LEARN! Not only about yourself and your horse, but to listen and develop yourself through others riders or practitioners • ACCEPTANCE. This one is a biggie! Your horse will lose shoes (unless, of course, they are barefoot). Your ex racehorse will have 'bad days', they will have days when they resemble a giraffe. One lesson isn’t going to 'fix it all' • You will have to buy new saddles, rugs, bits and other necessities • It’s going to take TIME For the Horse: • Not being ridden every day • Doing 'cross training' techniques of; groundwork, polework, hacking and ridden on varying surfaces • Being given the time to develop physically and mentally into their new role • Having correctly fitted tack that is checked frequently due to development of posture and seasonal variations • Having all members of the home team looking to develop the best plan forward, and being adjustable within that plan according to how the retraining is going • Being given small holidays / breaks, to allow them to develop post racing • Having a rider and carer that understands their first career and how you can apply it to their second • Being able to 'be a horse' and having them trained according to WHO THEY ARE, NOT WHAT THE PERSON WANTS THEM TO BE For the Home/Support Team: • Regular check ins with horse, rider and other members of the home team to make sure that everyone is working together and forward on the same trajectory • Having riders that are willing to learn and adapt according to what the horse needs • To be able to make suggestions without fear of persecution, as the welfare of the horse is always at the centre of the 'main aim' Asking for help can be the most daunting prospect, but it can also be THE BEST thing you ever did. Build a good home team and support network. Ask the questions and don't be afraid to open your mind up to new techniques, or possibilities, it will be the best thing you could do to have a healthy retraining journey.

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 2322CAMCAMMost dog owners have had an elderly dog that suffers from arthritis. The classic signs of arthritis, "slowing down" or "just getting old" slyly creep in, catching the caregiver off guard. Many owners seek the support of their vet in the later stages to ensure their beloved dog remains comfortable. However the disease eventually "wins", with the dog struggling through pain to stand, and the decision being made to let them go. There are a number of common myths associated with arthritis in dogs. By tackling the myths associated with managing this disease, Canine Arthritis Management (www.caninearthritis.co.uk) hopes to give owners the chance to identify and challenge this disease earlier to ensure their dog leads a long and happy life.Myth 1: Arthritis is an old dogs’ disease Sadly this is not true. A recent study by NC State, examining 123 dogs between 8 months and 4 years of age, identified that 40% had radiographic signs of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Furthermore, 24% were also experiencing some degree of pain. Dogs can develop osteoarthritis as young as a few months of age. One of the biggest causes of arthritis is developmental joint abnormalities-poorly formed joints such as hip or elbow dysplasia, which are often already present in dogs at a very young age. Unfortunately, we usually don’t identify arthritis until it is advanced-the clinical signs become more obvious and easier for us to associate with pain. Sadly by this time management options are likely to be more complex and potentially less effective. There is a significant need to raise awareness of the prevalence of arthritis in our pet dog population at all ages, especially in young dogs. Significant advances in veterinary medicine mean a wider array of treatment options exist, including surgeries targeted at developmental orthopaedic diseases that aim to slow/ halt the progression of the disease. Other measures such as strict weight control, lifestyle adaptations, excellent pain management, joint supplements and complementary therapies are suitable introductions at any stage of the disease to help slow its progression. Timely identification and intervention allow us to reduce suffering in our dogs and avoid early euthanasia in many cases as arthritis is a leading cause of premature euthanasia. Myth 2: Arthritis is inevitable A large number of dogs will indeed develop arthritis. Some breeds are more prone to arthritis than others due to a genetic predisposition, excess body weight and challenging lifestyles. Fortunately though, there are many things we can do to reduce the likelihood of our dogs developing arthritis, and slow down its progression in affected dogs. Myth 3: Nothing needs to be done to help your arthritic dog until they are in pain One of the most important interventions with a positive influence on osteoarthritis is keeping your dog lean-4 ½ to 5 out of 9 on the Body Condition Score chart (https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Body-Condition-Score-Dog.pdf). Minimal body fat will not only reduce the weight being transferred through the joints, but also reduce a significant driver of inflammation within the joint. Optimal body weight throughout a dog’s lifespan has been shown to delay the onset, progression and clinical signs of arthritis-and can also extend their life by potentially years. This is one of the most effective interventions to help our arthritic dogs-and what’s great is it is also free! Considering your dog’s daily activities is another logical intervention. High-impact activities such as fetch, or anything involving sudden stops, starts, turning and jumping, put significant stress on joints and may contribute to injuries. Dogs will willingly participate in One of the biggest causes of arthritis is developmental joint abnormalities-poorly formed joints such as hip or elbow dysplasiathese activities not realising that pain and discomfort may come later! Walks at your dog’s pace, scent work, tracking (mantrailing) and trick training are low impact alternatives that keep a dog moving. Keeping an arthritic dog moving is important-gentle frequent movement is best. Several short, slower walks a day are better than one long walk. Please make sure distances and activities are similar each day, rather than challenging your dog beyond their capabilities with huge walks on weekends. As arthritis progresses, so does our dogs’ vulnerability and possibility of slips and trips causing injuries. Simple modifications at home that reduce the chances of this will positively influence the disease. Ensuring all flooring is non-slip by using rugs will give your dog better traction, and therefore minimise the chances of slips, trips and falls that will flare up pain and potentially progress the condition. Stairs are another source of potential injury. They are best avoided through blocking with a baby gate or similar. For similar reasons, using a ramp to get into and out of the car will minimise the impact on joints- your dog can be trained to do this from a very young age. Good quality sleep plays an important role in pain management-hence the quality of your dog’s bed is really important. It needs to be in a safe, quiet and dry place, be reasonably firm and supportive, with clear and well-defined edges, and not cluttered with trip hazards like blankets and toys. Complementary therapies, such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, can help to minimise the impact of arthritis or even reduce the chances of your dog developing the condition. Maintaining the whole body in good health will support the joints. Other therapies such as acupuncture, massage and laser can also be helpful (please make sure you check the qualifications of any therapist you use).

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 2524CAMCAMREFERENCES Fox, S. M. (2017). Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis. Florida, CRC Press. For more information on the early identification and evidence-based, multimodal management of arthritis please see www.caninearthritis.co.uk as well as seeking guidance from the International Veterinary Association of Pain Management - Advocating for Best Practices in the Prevention, Detection and Management of Pain in Animals - www.ivapm.org Myth 4: If my dog is not limping, he is not in pain. He would yelp and limp if he was in pain The truth is, by the time a dog limps with arthritis they are likely in significant pain. Chronic pain caused by arthritis is different from acute pain such as that caused by touching a hot stove. Arthritic dogs will not yelp or cry-they will simply get on with their daily lives, and cope as best they can. We do the same-if your back hurts you will still do your chores and pick the kids up from school! Dogs show pain through changes in their behaviour, movement, posture and body shape. Signs of pain include being reluctant to go for or slowing down during walks, hesitating when jumping onto or off furniture or into and out of the car, sleeping more, licking their joints, panting, becoming less tolerant of handling, becoming reactive to dogs or people, developing noise sensitivities, or altered gait or posture. A change in coat pattern or muscle tone can also indicate physical changes that relate to an underlying painful condition. Often the disappearance or reduction of previously normal behaviours, such as greeting you at the door or jumping onto the sofa, can indicate pain. There is no doubt that arthritis is an extremely painful and often debilitating condition. Experiencing pain when using a joint leads to the limb being used less. This will change the way the dog moves, which will cause physical changes, reduced function and more pain over time. A dog will be less willing to move if they are in pain-yet movement is essential for quality of life and keeping all systems including joints healthy. If pain is not sufficiently managed in a timely manner, your dog's long term capabilities will decrease, and their pain experience will amplify. The longer an animal has been living with pain, the harder it is to control, requiring higher doses, complicated dosing regimes and multiple medications. If pain is not sufficiently managed, the bearer will also become more sensitive to pain-a phenomenon called central sensitisation. It is therefore advisable to start pain relief as soon as you notice signs of discomfort in your dog, with the intention of preventing deterioration and potentially reducing your reliance on medication later. Monitoring your dog’s signs of pain is the best way to give them the amount of medication they need. Myth 6: Anti-inﬂammatories are the only medication used to treat arthritis, and once they are no longer effective there is nothing else that can be done for your dog Anti-inflammatories are well evidenced and receive unfair bad press, when actually they are pretty safe and effective in controlling arthritic pain. However many other medications are also available to help manage pain, and using several medications together is often required. Bear in mind that arthritis is a progressive disease that can wax and wane. It's not that medications ‘stop working’, but more likely the condition has worsened or a flare up is occurring, which best responds to additional medications/ interventions. The “arthritis tool box” for dogs is ever expanding, as shown by the development of an exciting new medication called bedinvetmab, a monoclonal antibody against nerve growth factor. Further developments such as intra-articular injections, laser and extracorporeal shockwave therapy and progressive surgeries are becoming more routinely available. Please do not become down-hearted until you have discussed all your options with your vet. Myth 5: Pain relief should only be used as a last option, due to the potential risk of adverse eventsMyth 7: Natural remedies/supplements are the safest and best option for a dog with arthritis Many people wish to use supplements or ‘natural’ products instead of prescription medications to manage pain, believing that ‘natural’ is safer. The intent is understandable, but unfortunately it’s not that simple. Supplements have their place in a management plan, especially early in the course of the disease when we aim to support joint health. However the supplements industry is huge and unregulated, with a lot of money being spent on advertising and less on clinical trials. Most supplements lack evidence of efficacy. Medications have to go through rigorous trials and tests to prove their safety and benefit, whereas supplements can go straight to market. Please don’t rely on supplements over pain relieving medications. If your dog is in pain, please talk to your vet about using evidence-based prescription medication. Arthritis is considered a significant welfare concern in pets. Identifying the signs earlier, actioning effective plans tailored to the individual dog, and adapting them as required is our best advice. Remember-arthritis is not the end of the road-it’s just the start of a new direction!

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I take as much of a case history as I canANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 2726OSTEOPATHYOSTEOPATHYWhat to doWHEN FACED WITH THE UNKNOWNBy Tony Nevin fter we qualify, every patient is the unknown. To gain experience, we must examine and treat the unknown. At first, we lean entirely on our academic training, knowledge, and research. We start our careers with a relatively empty toolbox. By observing and working with more experienced practitioners it is possible to accelerate our learning and build up a greater database for future reference. Attending CPD lectures and workshops further enhance this. Depending on the type of practise you're in, whether it be canine, equine, or mixed will determine both the direction, and the type of cases you see at a clinical level. For those of us that also treat people as well as animals we can often transfer those skill sets from one species to another. By studying and observing as many different species as possible we can teach ourselves an awful lot. There are many other tools that we can use for learning, including a vast amount of online material. Both Internet based and professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn and YouTube. However as with all these things, verifying the validity of some of the material is not always as easy as we would like. AFundamentally when we look at any patient if it is a new species to us we need to lean on the core principles of whatever profession we belong to. As an osteopath whenever I'm faced with a new species, or a condition I've never been asked to treat before I literally use the same sort of checklist as I would whether it be a person, a horse, a dog, an elephant, or a gorilla. That is, I take as much of a case history as I can. I observe the patient. Then, depending on the species or the situation I will palpate, either with the patient conscious or, with certain species after the vet has anaesthetized them. I will want to know how the tissues respond to me. If the patient is awake, how the patient responds to either touch or movement. I would say if it's a species that you can look at like a dog or a horse, and you want to observe it moving, don’t just look at its ability to move, but also its comfort and quality of movement. Is the animal comfortable with what it's being asked to do? Is it complying with the handler? Or is it in fact resisting whatever the handler is trying to ask of it? All of these build up an incredible database for you. Then you will start to see and recognise that there are patterns within the patient’s locomotor system and this is what we need to focus on. Both movement, and patterns of inability to move correctly will begin to show. If we have very little experience, these fundamentals of how we're trained are paramount to being able to extract the first nuggets of information, and therefore the first small particles of experience. They say a desert is made-up of lots of grains of sand. Well, if we think of every single patient we see, and every little nuance of their symptoms and signs as grains of sand, you can visualise how quickly you can build up a vast amount of this. It is so important to listen to all the people around you and not to think that once you have seen a few cases with a few fairly similar problems that you've seen and done it all. For myself I've been in practise for far longer than I'd like to admit and everyday feels like the first day at work. That's because I have a thirst for trying to see what I might have missed the day before, trying to see what else I can learn. Talking to colleagues and owners of animals, riders, trainers, zookeepers, wildlife hospital workers, all these different people with fascinating careers, but also, unbeknownst to them, vast reserves of knowledge that they often don't realise they have. By just engaging in conversation about different species, it is so easy to pick up more and more information, and then apply the principles of your profession to what you're hearing. You know, if there was one way to treat everything, there would be one therapy out there and that would be it. But as we all know, there's more ways to treat something than any one of us could ever learn. So, it's finding the therapy that suits you best and then expanding on it, as far as you can take it, really. And this is where what we do should really become a vocation. It should become a lifestyle. I don't say this lightly because I meet quite a lot of young people who are setting out on their careers and they're in a rush. They're in a rush to just get out there and earn money. Those people I find quite scary because their focus is on making their business work before actually climbing the rungs of the ladder and

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 2928OSTEOPATHYOSTEOPATHY It is a journeyThis is something that I think you have to let happen almost by osmosis. You must let the knowledge happen. I'm talking about the clinical hands-on level here where you trust your instincts. You trust what the patient’s feedback is through your hands, through its body language. Whatever aspects you are addressing, you make sure you listen to what those tissues are telling you. You don't apply your own agenda to them. You don’t disrespect them. The patient and the patient's nervous system will know its body and what its body needs much more accurately than we ever can. If the tissues tell you something under your hands, yet you want to do something else, the treatment will not be as good. That's putting it lightly. In a bad scenario, it could jeopardise the health of that individual. Certainly, with wildlife you really do have to listen to the tissues. You have a very small window of opportunity to treat them and once that's gone you are likely to cause them severe stress and shock, and if you carry on you can kill them. What we do should be incredibly humbling. WE SHOULD TREAT EACH DAY AS A MASSIVE PRIVILEGE THAT OUR ANIMAL PATIENTS NOT JUST ALLOW US, BUT INVITE US INTO THEIR BODY FUNCTIONING SYSTEMS to help them resolve whatever problems they have. You must let the knowledge happen.building a massively strong foundation for their business, which is knowledge and being able to apply that knowledge. Now that might seem obvious, but again, over the years I've met people who academically wiped the floor with me, but when it came to transposing all that amazing knowledge into a practical clinical environment, they either froze like a rabbit in the headlights or found that they just couldn't link the knowledge to their hands. Try as they might they just cannot connect with the patient.This article has rambled a bit. I've written it more like a podcast, as if we're having a conversation, because I feel that is more of what this is. It is a conversation to help practitioners who are starting out, and students who haven't yet qualified, or people who are thinking of studying one of the animal therapies, to understand the exciting career they are embarking on. It is a journey. It doesn't really have a destination. As animal therapists, we really do sail the oceans of therapy. We should always be learning. We should always be asking questions. We should always be striving to do better than we did the day before. And we also need to understand that we will make mistakes. We will miss things. Nobody is infallible. No screening method is infallible, but if you create a systematic way of approaching patients, whether they be mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or worst of all, humans (only joking), you have a systematic way of approaching them. You have a systematic way of asking questions for your case history. A systematic approach to how you observe the patient so that you don't miss anything, and then a systematic way for both palpation and hands-on treatment. Finally, a systematic approach to any follow-up work that owners, handlers, or keepers need to do especially if there is a rehabilitation programme that you need to create and adapt, because again, what works for one patient might not work exactly the same for the next one, but at least you have a framework to hang these skill sets onto and by doing this, and by having procedures that work for you, that are systematic. When you meet something that doesn't respond to that, it will also teach you something that OK, this has worked for the last 50 to 100 patients but isn’t working on this one, so therefore I need to ask more questions, I need to check a few more things and by doing this you're less likely to miss something. Therefore, even if it does mean that you get to a point where you have to refer for radiographs, MRI's or blood tests, you have come to that conclusion because you have done a systematic assessment and screening of the patient every time you see them and so by doing this, we become better every single day, every single week and every single year. Don't be afraid to talk to colleagues and ask them what they would do in certain cases. Also don't just rely on other people you know. As you build your experience, realise that you actually have your own skill sets as well. And like I said, you know, there are many ways of doing things and achieving a positive outcome. The Irish have a saying and it goes like this “There's a right way. There's a wrong way, and there's a way that works”. Find what works for you and have an amazing career.

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 3130CANINE FIRST AIDCANINE FIRST AIDRachel Bean is qualified veterinary nurse and a leading tutor running canine first aid workshops worldwide including Thailand and India. She has also worked extensively with street dogs. Her Courses are approved by The Canine Hydrotherapy Association and meet the requirements of the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists. Rachel is a consultant with ‘I Pet Network’ and has written OFQUAL level 3 and 4 qualifications in emergency canine first aid. Rachels courses are very interactive with no PowerPoint. Discussions are encouraged and she is accompanied by her own dog Chilli and guest dogs for demonstrations. FOR CANINE PROFESSIONALSCANINE FIRST AID TRAINING CANINE FIRST AID TRAINING As a qualified veterinary nurse working in practice for over 25 years, I have seen many accidents where the dog would have benefitted from some initial first aid steps to increase the chance of survival. It is my mission to improve the quality of canine first aid training throughout the pet industry especially in the Professional Sector. Top Tips to ﬁnd the best course for you • Find a tutor who works in practice and/or is a registered veterinary professional with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). Those working in practice will have real life and frontline experience with emergency situations and can draw on this to educate you to the best level. You can always check the RCVS register to make sure your tutor is a registered vet or veterinary nurse https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/check-the-register If you would like further information about Rachels Courses to either host or attend you can email rachelbean@hotmail.co.uk FB Page: Canine First Aid Workshops - UK - Rachel Bean RVN• Choose a course that has small group numbers This maximises interaction and learning. Large groups can reduce that personal feel and reduce the potential for discussion- based learning • Choose a course that uses live patients This will give you experience of a dog moving about as you bandage. It is easier to learn the anatomical points to aid successful bandaging You will get to experience what a real pulse feels like • Do your research There are many course providers on offer and like many pet related sectors it is unregulated. An unregulated course may provide incorrect or out of date content or it may be too basic for your needs. Don’t be afraid to question your tutors actual veterinary experience. Ask where they did their training to teach this subject • Recommendations are always valuableAs a canine professional and looking after numerous dogs on a daily basis, the chance of an incident can be increased.Do you know what your immediate action would be? Can you conﬁdently triage an incident into minor or life threatening and act accordingly? When did you last attend a canine ﬁrst aid training course? .... Every 2 or 3 years is advisedHow to choose a Canine First Aid Trainer There are many learning platforms to choose from and it may be difficult to choose a suitable one. The following bullet points are a good guide to choosing a course that is going to be of most use and teach you thoroughly at your level. Pet Owners may only require a basic course. If you are a canine professional a higher level of knowledge is required with more challenging content and a recognised certificate or qualification.What is Canine First Aid Training? It is becoming increasingly popular to gain first aid knowledge and it will give a canine professional the skills to potentially save a life, relieve pain and suffering and prevent deterioration of a dogs’ condition. Anyone can carry out first aid to an animal as long as it is within the boundaries and limitations of The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and is limited to the above aims only. It is illegal to treat someone else’s dog for a medical condition if you are not a qualified veterinary surgeon. Any canine first aid training course should cover in depth; The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and its limitations as well as common emergencies such as arterial haemorrhaging, road traffic accidents, hyperthermia, anaphylaxis, seizures, choking, cardio pulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) and many other situations. Practical elements should include bandaging on live dogs, CPR on the dummy dog called CASPER following the recover guidelines and pulse calculations.Awill give a canine professional the skills to potentially save a life

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 3332LEVI HUNTA STRETCH A DAY can help keep the vet awayNow I don’t want vets to take this personally, you’re all very friendly, knowledgeable people who are there for us in our animal’s time of need, but our bank balance certainly doesn’t like to see you too often.LEVI HUNTI really do believe in the ripple effect and this belief extends to keeping your horse sound into later life too. I want you to think of your horses legs as though they were four tyres, keeping the air pressure even is one way to reduce the likelihood of a blow out on the motorway, (which take it from me isn’t that fun when you’re stuck on the M6 at 11:30pm with no snacks and in desperate need for the loo)! The same logic can be given to our horses, keeping your horse as evenly balanced as possible will help keep equal weight distribution down the limbs which in turn, gives each leg the chance to not be overloaded thus leading to tendon, ligament and muscular issues. These tips aren’t exclusively for those in an arena; they can be performed out hacking just as easily. Become aware of your own alignment and symmetry as this will have a huge impact on your horse. Feel as if you are riding with a mirror down the centre of your body and both sides look and feel similar; Equal contact down the reins, level heels, knees and seat bones, lifting your shoulders to the same height etc. Ideally riders should be checked by therapists as much as their horses are as if their rider can’t sit straight the horse has no chance of being balanced. Now you are riding and looking like an Olympian (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise), you can move onto your horse. Check you can adjust both the left and right side, whether that is moving their head left and right, or pushing them away from each leg one at a time to encourage them to move their body sideways. You want them to find it just as easy to move or bend to the right as they do the left. You also want to see the same amount of body bend both ways; i.e. when bending left you should see their inside eye, and cheek piece, ditto to the right. If you can’t feel or see in equal measure then work at this until you can. A big difference in comparison would be a red flag to me. Carrot stretches are a great way of checking your horse’s flexibility. Holding a carrot or a lick at their shoulder, behind the girth line and to the flank encouraging bend will let you know if they find it easy, hard or one side is more supple than the other. If they struggle you know you need to do something to help. Contact your equine therapist to help and if you have an instructor, let them know you want to work on this aspect. If they struggle to bend they will struggle with most ridden activities. If your horse works asymmetrically it will start to impact how they load weight down their limbs and over time this can lead to degeneration of bones, muscles or tendons. They will often load to the less supple half and whilst there are many contributing factors to a horses soundness, balancing your horse will reduce the impact of exercise. Generally, being conscious and aware of what you’re feeling is your responsibility as a rider. To keep your horse as sound as you can and more importantly, keep those vets away!

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 3534LEVI HUNTLevi Hunt is a International rider for GBR, having competed through to Grand Prix and now focusing on training riders in the UK and other countries around the world. Follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/levi.w.hunt for information on clinics call his long suffering assistant Nicky on 07771 610027www.facebook.com/levi.w.hunt fb: Levi Hunt Dressage Insta:Levi William HuntMCTIMONEY ANIMAL CHIROPRACTOR The Equine Sacroiliac Joint By Eirlys Green MSc, BSc (Hons), EEBW McTimoney Animal Chiropractor at Aceso Animal Therapy Dysfunction, Rehabilitation and McTimoneyIntroduction The sacroiliac (SI) joint plays an important role in transferring propulsion from the hindlimbs to the spine, allowing the hindquarters to drive the horse forward, whilst also supporting the back. SI pain and dysfunction can therefore have hugely negative impacts on the horse’s way of going. Although this joint plays a major role in equine locomotion, any dysfunction or pain associated with it can come across as a minor issue due to its subtle clinical signs, making it historically difficult for Veterinarians to diagnose problems, and for owners and paraprofessionals alike to manage the condition. So, to start off let’s discuss the anatomy, to fully understand what makes this such an impactful joint on equine locomotion, and why it can be so challenging to diagnose and treat. Anatomy of the Equine Sacroiliac Joint The equine pelvis is made up of three fused bones which form a ring: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. The sacrum, which is the lower part of the equine spine, is made up of five fused vertebrae. The SI joint is therefore located at the point where the sacrum passes underneath the top of the pelvis, otherwise known as the tuber sacrale. The joint is buried under many layers of deep muscle, and strengthened by three sacroiliac ligaments: dorsal, ventral, and interosseous. SI pain can therefore either be a result of joint inflammation, or inflammation of these ligaments that are surrounding and supporting the joint. Common Causes and Symptoms Equine SI pain can come as a result of a multitude of issues, and working out the cause can often be a ‘chicken and egg’ situation. However, the common causes can be categorised into two main groups; primary SI injury, where there has been a direct trauma to the area, and secondary SI injury, which may come as consequence of general wear and tear, musculoskeletal weakness, and compensations for other hindlimb issues.

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 3736MCTIMONEY ANIMAL CHIROPRACTOR MCTIMONEY ANIMAL CHIROPRACTOR In conclusion, whilst the SI joint still remains one of the more difficult areas for Veterinarians to diagnose due to its anatomy, increasing owner and practitioner awareness of the symptoms of dysfunctions is essential for ensuring the health and well-being of our horses. As I always say – even the most subtle of differences in their movement and posture is worth noting! Eirlys Green MSc, BSc (Hons), EEBW, MMAA RAMP, McTimoney Animal Therapist, treating small and large animals across Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset. Eirlys is a member of the McTimoney Animal Association, the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners, and the International Association of Animal Therapists. The McTimoney Animal Association (MAA) is an independent regulatory body. All members hold a PGDip or MSc in Animal Manipulation (Chiropractic) from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic. Members of the MAA abide by a code of ethics and standards of proficiency as well as being fully insured to treat animals. REFERENCES Barstow, A. & Dyson, S. (2015). Clinical features and diagnosis of sacroiliac joint region pain in 296 horses: 2004-2014. Equine Veterinary Education. 27 (12). 637-647. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12377 Dyson, S. & Murray, R. C. (2010) Pain Associated with the sacroiliac joint region: A clinical study of 74 horses. Equine Veterinary Journal. 35 (3). 240-245. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403776148255 Stack, J. D. & Harley, J. (2021) Diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint region pain in horses. UK-Vet Equine. 5 (4) https://doi.org/10.12968/ukve.2021.5.4.150Some common symptoms related to SI pain can be, but are not limited to: • Lack of impulsion • Poor performance or an unwillingness to work • Difficulty when flexing either hindlimb to be shod or trimmed • Disunited canter, or difficulty taking the correct lead • Refusals when jumping • Change in behaviour • Jumper’s/hunter’s bump – due to muscular atrophy around the tuber sacrale The symptoms are commonly more noticeable when the horse is under saddle, and therefore it is important that, as a rider, you are able to confidently express to your veterinarian even the subtlest of changes in your horse’s way of going. Following the diagnosis and appropriate chosen treatment of the SI issue from a veterinarian, regular therapy and rehabilitative plans are so important to assist in strengthening the hind quarters, building the core stabilising muscles, and minimising the risk of secondary musculoskeletal dysfunctions that often come as a result of compensatory issues throughout the rest of the body. McTimoney and Rehabilitation As a McTimoney Animal Chiropractor, I work as part of the Vet-lead team and use a whole-body approach to treatment, focusing not only on the issue at hand, but also asking why this may have occurred in the first place, and working out individual treatment plans that are suitable for the specific horse during each stage of their rehabilitation. The McTimoney technique is an extremely gentle yet effective form of chiropractic, making it an excellent holistic therapy for those horses who are in the process of rehabilitation following musculoskeletal dysfunction, such as an SI issue. The aim of McTimoney is to correct any subtle misalignments of the bones, stimulating the animal’s innate intelligence systems to promote self-healing, in turn restoring correct nerve function and rebalancing the musculoskeletal system. Rebalancing the whole system is essential because, as discussed before, the SI joint plays a huge role in equine locomotion, and therefore SI issues can cause a cascade effect on the rest of the body as it attempts to compensate for the locomotory and postural changes that often come as a result. A large part of my work when focusing on a rehabilitation plan for a horse recovering from an SI issue would be strengthening the hind end, and this would include pelvic manipulation and tension release from the surrounding area, particularly the gluteals which may be overcompensating as a result of SI dysfunction. However, let’s not forgot the forelimbs and how increased or uneven weight bearing may result in musculoskeletal imbalances which can manifest themselves as asymmetry in the shoulders, cervical tension, and weakness through the core stabilising muscles. Of course, each animal is an individual and must be treated as one, which is why tailored rehabilitative plans are such an important part of my job role.

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fascia connects everything in the body• C-fibre pain signals to the central nervous system are shut down. Interneurones that act as gateways in the pain pathway in the spinal cord undergo altered nerve transmission and neurotransmitter release and the signals that go to the brain relating to painful stimuli are reduced. • The central nervous system produces other mediators like natural opiods and endorphins, which themselves cause (local) analgesia and feeling of wellbeing and tap into homeostatic pathways. • The nervous system responses help explain the effect of acupuncture on respiratory, gastrointestinal & reproductive problems. For example needles that stimulate nerves that feed back to certain spinal segments have the potential to affect deeper organs supplied by that segment. Needles placed in the lumbar region for example often result in an immediate increase in gut motility. • Effect on the fascial system: ACUPUNCTUREFOR HORSES & DOGSACUPUNCTUREcupuncture evolved from the ancient art of placing special acupuncture needles into certain locations on the horse’s body to help with pain management, immune system function and general wellbeing. Acupuncture is best used alongside conventional veterinary medicine and surgery, with a full diagnosis and exploration of treatment options. It is an extremely useful adjunct to physiotherapy and other body work therapies. Acupuncture can help reduce the horse’s requirement for medication, thereby reducing possible side effects. It is generally very well tolerated, and extremely safe when practiced correctly by an experienced Veterinary Surgeon. Legally, only Veterinary Surgeons that are members of the RCVS can carry out acupuncture in the UK. If the horse’s own Vet doesn’t practice acupuncture, then a referral can be made to a Veterinary Acupuncturist. The normal referral process would apply in this instance, with good communication. Western acupuncture research has progressed enormously over the past 40 years, and now we can explain its action in terms of endogenous opiod release by the body, effects on the autonomic nervous system and the effects on fascia. Placing needles into body tissue stimulates nerve endings and interacts with fascia, and needled tissue releases anti-inflammatory substances. AANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 3938ACUPUNCTUREACUPUNCTUREThere is a growing amount of knowledge and research about fascia. Fascia connects everything in the body. Acupuncture needles penetrate fascial planes and when twisted and tweaked have the ability to influence the fascia locally and more remotely. Recently there have been huge advances in the understanding of how fascia connects parts of the body together which has provided a deeper understanding of the biomechanics of movement. Additionally some of the key chains of fascia almost exactly mirror the acupuncture meridiens or channels described in Chinese medicine. The superficial dorsal line of fascia, for example, runs from the coronary band at back of the foot, up the back of the hind leg and ham strings, along the back and upper side of the neck, and ends at the temporomandibular joint. The bladder channel in Chinese medicine follows an almost identical route. This line of fascia is responsible for extension of the back – many horses are in extension through their backs – and as trainers / therapists / riders / vets we want to switch off some of that extension to help them work over their backs more effectively. This is why the Bladder channel / superficial dorsal line are key sites for placing acupuncture needles. Understanding fascia can also help us to make some sense of the way that Chinese medicine describes disease. Acupuncture can help to rebalance tension in the extension muscles vs the flexion muscles of the spine and trunk. The concept of yang and yin becomes less murky – if we think of spinal extension as a component of yang and flexion as yin some of the ancient genius of the Chinese becomes a little clearer. Owners often comment that their animals are relaxed after treatment – acupuncture often helps to calm the “fight and flight” or in other words the sympathetic nervous system drive, or the excessive yang (with an Eastern Medicine hat on). It helps promote the “rest and digest” state, improving parasympathetic drive or yin state.it is mobile living tissue with the capacity to change. It contains elastic components which enable movement and collagenous components which contribute to its strength. It also contains a matrix which is mostly water. Horses in pain or dysfunction often compensate through their fascial network, which becomes “stuck”, “tethered”, “dehydrated”, “tight”. Acupuncture and many body work modalities tap into this and free up the sticky fascia – horses fascia is a will often visibly relax and yawn and release tension during acupuncture, and they will often drink more than usual afterwards as water is drawn back into the water matrix of the facial system. The effect of acupuncture on fascia explains why acupuncture is very effective when used in parallel with other body work modalities, such as physiotherpapy, osteopathy, myofascial and chiropractic treatments to name but a few – and also works well alongside laser therapy, Indiba, therapeutic ultrasound etc. Good acupuncture therapists will try to liase with other body workers to enable the therapies to complement each other most effectively. fascinating substance

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 4140ACUPUNCTUREACUPUNCTUREWHAT CONDITIONS CAN IT TREAT?The most common condition treated by acupuncture is pain, e.g., arthritis, myofascial pain, joint disease or muscle problems. It can be really useful during rehabilitation following surgery or an injury. In combination with other therapies, it is extremely useful and can help avoid the use of medications banned during competitions. Acupuncture can also help with treatment of medical conditions, for example reproductive, gastrointestinal (e.g. colic), respiratory disease (e.g. Asthma). Most animals respond really well, a small percentage respond poorly. The principals of treatment and application of acupuncture for dogs, and any mammals in fact, is the same. Acupuncture is an excellent adjunct to conventional medicine for many conditions especially those involving pain. Arthritis in older dogs is very common and there is an increasing range of excellent drugs available from vets to aid with its management however, for certain individuals some of the options for pain management have side effects such as gastro-intestinal upsets, that are not well tolerated. We tend to think of pain management like a jigsaw – there are lots of pieces to make up the complete picture. The phrase “multi modal pain management” is widely used among clinicians, and it is well recognised that using a range of tools to approach a painful animal gives a better outcome. ACUPUNCTURE FOR DOGSHOW DOES THE TREATMENT PROCESS WORK? An extensive history is taken, followed by a clinical examination. Most horses tolerate the treatment extremely well, but they can be sedated if not. The special needles used are thin and disposable. Many horses become relaxed and sleepy during treatment, and 2 quiet days are usually advised afterwards. Occasionally they can be slightly stiffer or more uncomfortable after treatment. Sometimes a few treatments are needed before an improvement is seen, but the beneficial effects usually last longer with each treatment. Treatments are most frequently given weekly to begin with, with gradually increasing intervals, depending on the condition and the individual animal. Lindsay is a veterinary surgeon with 25 years experience in mainly equine practice. Lindsay now focusses on acupuncture in horses and dogs and is particularly fascinated and excited by fascia and the growing body of research and knowledge in this area. Lindsay has always enjoyed working alongside equine and small animal therapists, whatever their training and background. She believes in the team approach to animal wellbeing and is always keen to hear what others are seeing, thinking, feeling …and how we can work together to get the best outcome for the animal and owner. case studyBroccoli is a 6 year old Labrador with elbow and hip dysplasia. He cannot be managed with meloxicam (Metacam / Loxicom) as he gets diarrhoea. There are other drugs available but his owners wanted to hold off on these for as long as possible. He is on a green lipped muscle joint supplement which helps, and he sees a physiotherapist every 2 months. His exercise is well managed by his owners so that he has similar length walks daily and his weight is well managed. High stress activities such as ball throwing and jumping in and out of the car boot are restricted. He had an initial “course” of acupuncture spaced at 10 day intervals for 3 sessions. During this time he was initially extremely sleepy and relaxed after treatment, and then appeared to have more energy and was generally less stiff. The owner noticed little things like his ability to lift both hind legs when he urinated had improved, and he could stretch (pilates down dog). They were gradually able to have longer walks without being very stiff the next day. His forelimb limp was still present, but it was less obvious. Initially acupuncture treatments were monthly after the first course. They were then spaced out to every 2 months and he was treated like this for a year. As his arthritic condition progressed he started to be treated with Librella from his vet and have acupuncture more frequently – every month over the cold damp months of the year when arthritis is always worse. He is now 14 and still loving life! Jess qualified in 2003 from Edinburgh University and has worked in equine practice ever since, both in a large referral hospital and in first opinion equine practice. She carries out acupuncture as part of her job at Cheltenham Equine Vets. She is a horse owner and rider herself in her spare time and juggles work with two small children and their ponies too.Jessica Rainbow BVM&S MRCVS Lindsay Brazil BVM&S MRCVS Lindsay also has 3 teenage girls and 4 horses, so life is currently a juggle of professional time, Mum, groom and taxi service.

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 4342DIGESTIVE HEALTHDIGESTIVE HEALTHhe typical diet and management of the competition horse can be a significant departure from how the equine digestive tract has evolved to optimally function. The rigors of pursuing peak performance can leave the horse vulnerable to digestive imbalance and disease, which can become performance-limiting, in itself. By focusing more on preventative approaches and supporting digestive tract health, the negative effects of typical competition husbandry can be reduced, and the goal of achieving both peak performance and optimal health more obtainable. The challenges of GI tract disorders As many paraprofessionals are only too aware, gastrointestinal tract issues are worryingly common but, despite their ubiquity, diagnosis can remain difficult. The difficulty frequently lies in that overt signs can be both typical, such as weight loss or inappetence, and atypical, such as lameness, changes in behaviour and subtle changes to the quality of work under saddle. To add to the confusion, the symptoms of gastric and intestinal complaints, while often very different, may just as easily be indistinguishable. Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may manifest in numerous ways and so the key consideration for the paraprofessional is to explore causes, going beyond the presentation of symptoms. Whilst our understanding of gastric disease has broadened exponentially over recent few years, knowledge surrounding hindgut disorders have remained more elusive. However, some signs and symptoms, which may not have typically been associated with GI tract conditions, have been noted as consistent with intestinal aberrations. Emma Hardy, PhD&Obtaining Maintaining Digestive Tract Health T

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 4544DIGESTIVE HEALTHWhilst our understanding of gastric disease has broadened exponentially over recent few years, knowledge surrounding hindgut disorders have remained more elusive. However, some signs and symptoms, which may not have typically been associated with GI tract conditions, have been noted as consistent with intestinal aberrations. • Intermittent hind limb unsoundness, particularly affecting the right side. • Changes in the length and quality of hind limb stride, and a reluctance to engage the hindquarters. • Loss of flexibility through the body around the leg, with a deterioration in the quality of extension or collection. • Girthyness resulting from discomfort in the large colon. • Sensitivity of the flanks, perhaps towards brushing or rugging, often with a corresponding dislike or even an acute response to touching or palpation over the area. Emphasis on prevention rather than cure It is widely appreciated that if the gut is not functioning properly, the horse cannot function properly. For our competition horses, that means they cannot perform at their best, and any downtime due to health issues is costly. The ability to avoid these problems in the first place would surely be preferable, as prevention is less expensive and troublesome for the owner and less risky for the horse. Clearly, implementing a gut-friendly management routine and diet is the ideal. Horses would have access to a diet of ad lib, low quality forage, movement would be unrestricted and stress kept to a minimum. However, this is rarely conducive to meeting the physical and nutritional demands of the hard-working horse and, from a practical aspect, often impossible to implement on some yards. So, it’s critical to elevate our management of optimal digestive health in an effort to offset the gastrointestinal risks that challenge our competition horses. One way to do this is to supplement the diet with targeted nutrients to help normalise digestion, repair and replenish the structure of the tract, and enhance its natural defences against injury and disease. A Nutritional Approach to Care A daily supplement program is available which can be used to promote and maintain gastrointestinal tract health, particularly for horses faced with stressful conditions. This nutritional product, SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program™ (DCP) provides a unique and highly functional profile of oat-based polar lipids, beta glucans, amino acids and yeast products to benefit all components of the gastrointestinal tract. ‘DIGESTIVE HEALTH‘Beta glucan, derived from micronised oat bran, is a soluble fibre and is well established for its benefits to gut health. Not only does it create a hydrogel with concentrates to promote their complete digestion, it also stimulates phagocytosis and macrophages to help mitigate infection and resist pathogenic challenges. Polar lipids extracted from oat oil play a key role in the structure and function of cellular membranes, actively helping to maintain the integrity of gastrointestinal epithelium. Amino acids, Threonine and Arginine are essential for maintaining the mucosal lining of the tract, as well as for increasing circulation to promote tissue repair and reduce recovery time. Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and yeast beta glucan, are both prebiotics and also known to bind and safely remove pathogens, including bacteria and mycotoxins. Prioritising GI tract health Although the stresses of competition, training and the often-necessary management that goes with it cannot always be eliminated, it can be possible to help minimise the effects with additional nutritional support. The health of the digestive system can create consequences for all the other biological systems, so optimising digestive health in the competition horse’s feed and management programme is an obvious priority. Only when a horse is healthy from the inside out are they are best equipped to achieve their full potential.

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“ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 4746IRVAPIRVAPJOIN US2023 Conference: Animal Therapy for the Future Are you a passionate professional working in animal therapy? Do you believe that every animal deserves the best treatment possible? If so, then we invite you to join the Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and be a part of our dynamic community of qualified professionals, dedicated to advancing animal therapy. At IRVAP, we believe in promoting safe and effective practice in all aspects of animal therapy. Our diverse membership has multiple categories, which includes our free student membership. This is part of our long term commitment to education and our member’s successful career development. The ICH is leading the way by raising standards in small animal hydrotherapy. It represents therapists at all levels and empowers members to progress their skills on their career journey. With a united vision of the future we have strong links with a qualification awarding body and we provide accredited refresher courses. The Board of clinical educators and influencers makes the ICH one of IRVAP’s best hidden secrets. The IEH was established to bring together equine therapists interested in hydrotherapy and encourage best Membership categories also include our two Boards - Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH) and the Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists (IEH), which is the first UK equine hydrotherapist body.practice. IRVAP and the IEH are advocates for the current level 2 equine hydrotherapy course, with a new level 5 course being developed by one of our members to offer a pathway of progression. As the equine hydrotherapy field lags behind canine hydrotherapy, we aim to bridge this gap by sharing research, assisting educational establishments and accrediting courses that meet a set standard. Our goal is to ensure the safety of horses and therapists, sound ethics and the success of practitioners in the equine therapy field. IRVAP actively supports and collaborates with professional bodies that lobby for regulation in the animal therapy industry. The need for regulation is more prevalent than ever and the lack of regulation and insufficient training providers, make it a challenging task for referring vets, insurers, owners and trainers to identify safe, ethical and successful practitioners. By joining IRVAP, you become a part of a caring and interactive community of professionals working in the animal therapy industry. We celebrate our diversity, uphold animal-focused ethics and provide inclusive opportunities to enhance our member’s clinical areas of expertise. Through our association, you can raise the standards of your practice and benefit from informed representation. We strive to provide you with up to date resources, CPD and ongoing support. We also share a range of public resources with all those who work with, care for and own animals. Our strong communication team use a multi-media platform to keep you updated. They survey and actively listen to your needs, demonstrated by our 207% membership growth rate in the last few years. We nurture a friendly, collaborative environment within our community creating a cohesive network of therapists. As a registered member, you are entitled to a wide range of benefits, with representation at local, regional and national level, giving you a voice and influencing the future of animal therapy. Our Find a Therapist listing offers a platform for you to showcase your expertise and expand your reach. We have an additional exclusive members only website, which provides a wealth of resources, CPD, group insurance scheme updates and our highly successful mentorship and support programme. IRVAP is a not for profit professional organisation and invests in both its members and the industry. Our 2023 conference welcomes you and is open to everyone, with amazing discounted prices and a great early bird offer. This innovative day will provide you with 6 CPD hours and a certificate of participation. It includes an interactive forum to foster positive connections and conversations. We will be presenting high profile industry speakers who will share their expertise and insights. In the afternoon we are facilitating a series of workshops with clinical specialists and informed businesses, sharing i ideas and answering your questions. It will be a day filled with learning, networking and collaboration as we work together, to shape the future of animal therapy. Join us at IRVAP and become a part of a professional community that shares your passion for animal therapy. Together, we can make a real difference to the lives of our animals and their owners. Visit www.irvap.org.uk to learn more about the beneﬁts of IRVAP membership. To register for our upcoming conference visit – www.irvap.org.uk/conference/ Together, let's influence the industry we are all so passionate about, to provide the best therapy service to the animals in our professional care.We are excited to invite you to our forthcoming conference, "Animal Therapy for the Future," Friday 27th October 2023 The Leonardo Hotel, Hinckley, LE10 3AJ ”207% membership growth rate in the last few years

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 49Our Editor Hannah has been with Animal Therapy Magazine since the very beginning when it was first launched in 2015. Hannah qualified as a veterinary Physiotherapist in 2009, having previously worked in practice as well as obtaining a degree at Hartpury University. Based in the Cotswolds, Hannah runs a busy equine practice specialising in racehorses, dressage horses and hunters. She almost always has her trusty companion Rupert with her on her visits. She herself has ridden for over 40 years and competed in dressage, team chasing and showjumping. Hannah realised the lack of public and professional education in the form of a regular publication for animal therapists, and Animal Therapy Magazine was born. Despite the challenges, Hannah has always been determined to make the publication a success and she’s delighted that a new team has stepped forward to help make that happen. HannahI am part of the Animal Therapy Magazine sales team. I fell into sales straight from university and wouldn’t want to do anything else! Working within the Animal Therapy Magazine team is just brilliant – we are all passionate about animals and Animal Therapies. We love to work with like-minded people like you to spread the word about available and innovative therapies and products that will maximise the health and wellbeing of our two- and four-legged friends. I have an animal-mad daughter who likes nothing better than spending her days (and therefore, my days) at the yard working with the horses, with the crazy Dapple Dachshund, Cooper. We also include in our family a much-loved but rather bad-tempered dwarf hamster, Bee. Tony Nevin graduated from the ESO in 1988. From 1990 he included animal work basing himself in veterinary practices. He pioneered the successful treatment of wildlife and exotic species through his company Zoo Ost and became instrumentalist in the creation and running of the MSc course at the McTimoney College. He is co-author and editor of the hugely successful "Animal Osteopathy - a comprehensive guide to the osteopathic treatment of animals and birds" published by Handspring publishing. He also lectures nationally and on the global circuit and runs extremely popular workshops and CPD days Alongside his dedicated Youtube channel (Zoo Ost), Tony spends his time teaching handling and treatment techniques in exotics, is a Trustee of Vale Wildlife Hospital and hosts regular podcasts. BethTonyMeet The Team

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ANIMAL THERAPY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 50MEET THE TEAMGeorgina has followed a media driven career after graduating from Bournemouth Arts Institute with a BA (Hons), specialising in brand development and design for print. Georgina and her father founded Leucillin Antimicrobial Skincare, introducing an antiseptic product which mirrors the bodies immune system as is uniquely lethal to pathogens yet kind to skin. Her role as Marketing Director and general “dog of all tricks” is most eclectic, from designing adverting campaigns to writing editorial. Georgina is delighted to bring her skill set to the Animal Therapy Team, with an animal healthcare management leaning to natural healthcare choices, she both excited at the new challenge and the educational opportunities this role brings! Based in Wiltshire with her farming partner Jeremy she has a Border Collie called Jasper, a cat called Goose, an ex-race horse named Barossa Red, as well as sheep, cows and chickens.GeorginaRuthNic has worked in the Animal Industry for over 25 years. Starting at a BHS Riding School followed by a large kennels & cattery. Nic moved towards retail as a pet store manager before spending seven years working on the Pet and Dog Grooming Field Teams at Pets at Home. Nic became a Director at The International Horse Agility Club. The club supports non ridden equines and handlers who may have a loss of mobility by offering monthly Walk Only Horse Agility Courses alongside its main on-line, liberty, Equagility, junior and mule/donkey leagues. Nic studied Zoology and Animal Behaviour at Bishop Burton College followed by a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and finally a Post graduate diploma in Aquaculture. Nic, her husband James and son Alex are owned by 2 Spanish Mustangs, 2 cats and a multitude of chickens and have a woodland where they apply regenerative management techniques. I have worked professionally in the electrophysical modalities industry for over 25 years which i continue to find fascinating. Having a specialised interest in photobiomodulation (PBM Red & Near-Infrared light) for the last 15 years, I've helped set up the UK Chapter of the International Light Association, helping to expand their education program on using therapeutic light for animals. I'm blessed that the majority of my work in PBM for last 10 years has focussed on working with animal health professionals, attending many vet physio and animal therapy conferences, holistic healing and tissue healing lectures. I'm passionate to help develop awareness and common sense understanding about the huge range of possibilities with modern PBM in terms of rehab, prehab and prevention. I’m currently owned by tortoishell moggy, Sasha who has almost reached the grand old age of 19. NicI am thrilled to be part of ATM which Hannah, Beth and the team have poured so much work into over the past 8 years will continue to bring knowledge and news to our worldwide network of Animal Therapists. I am an avid researcher of natural health and can always be found at a holistic conference as I have a passion for natural animal health & holistic wellbeing for humans and the synchronicities between them. My background is Animal Management which I studied at Moreton Morrell college before embarking in a career in the family business of Photobiomodulation! Kaia is my side kick. She absolutely loves a belly rub and often accompanies me to shows where she is all too keen to say hello to absolutely everyone with no concerns over personal space whatsoever! SophieLove the Magazine?Receive new issues hot off the pressFull Subscription • Printed copy of our magazine – delivered to your door quarterly (UK Only) • Full access to all the online contect from all devices • Access to special offers from industry suppliers • Automatic yearly renewal Online-Only • Full access to all the online contect from all devices • Access to special offers from industry suppliers • Automatic yearly renewal£39.95 per yr£29.95 per yrSubscribe at:www.animaltherapymedia.co.uk

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laser therapypeanut rollersSpectraVET Therapeutic Lasersincrease the speed, quality andtensile strength of tissue repair,resolve inflammation and providerelief from both acute and chronicpain. Widely researched and proveneffective, Laser Therapy is a valuableform of treatment for animal athletesand companion animals alike, andhelps improve the quality of life foraging pets. from£3,350.00 This value peanut shaped roller isperfect for animal therapy.They are the perfect aid whenmore stability is required than agym ball. This product is used toassist stretching, exercise, andpost operation rehabilitation. From £13.95+VAT+VATAnimal TherapyEquipment andConsumablestrimwaveultrasound therapy The Trimwave delivers H-wave therapyand offers more features than theolder units, with fully selectablefrequencies from 1Hz to 200Hz, It has a digital backlit screen thatshows the battery charge, frequencyand intensity. The unit has an upgradedbattery that is lighter and lasts longer.The unit is supplied with a carry bag,electrodes and leads, conductive gel,operating manual and a charger. £1,695.00 The Intelect® Mobile 2 ultrasoundis an ultrasound therapy systemthat offers dual frequencyultrasound with pulsed andcontinuous outputs.Supplied with a 5cm² ultrasoundapplicator and optional batterypack and carry bag. £950.00 +VAT+VATwobble cushions hot and cold packs01403 597 597sales@trimbio.co.ukwww.trimbio.co.uk The extra large wobble cushion is 55cm in diameter, ideal for animaltherapy.Adjustment of the inflation willchange the level of stability.We also offer a smaller option at33cm in diameter for £11.95 £47.95Hot and cold therapy, also knownas thermotherapy andcryotherapy, respectively, playimportant roles in managingvarious conditions and promotinghealing in animals. Both therapiesare valuable tools in animaltherapy and veterinary care,offering non-invasive and effectivemethods to support the well-beingand recovery of animals.Range of Sizesand PricesAvailable+VAT

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