The Positive Vet Physio

27/06/2026

So I've been thinking of posting this for a while. I'm a busy vet physio and a busy mum of two awesome boys, one 4yo and one 15 months.

There is a huge pressure to be constantly posting on Facebook, pictures of animals I'm treating, new ideas, blog posts etc. I'm not great at social media, and in all honesty I would rather spend less time on it not more.

So if you don't see lots of posts of me treating animals it's not because I'm not, it's because I'm normally concentrating on who I'm treating and most of the time after I leave I think.....ah nuts I didn't take a picture for my socials.

I'm also a bit wary of introducing social media into my work as suddenly there is potentially a shift from being focused on your animal and what I'm feeling, onto what will make a good reel or post. I also feel there is a firehose of information on social media and I don't feel I need to always add to that.

So if you look at my social media and wonder why there isn't loads of posts, it will because I almost always forget when with clients, and if I'm not writing up reports, watching seminars, or doing CPD I will be attempting to prevent my 15 month old climbing on and throwing himself off the kitchen table 🤣🤣

Picture of said boys with Merlin the wee one. Thank you 😃🫶🏻

30/04/2026

30/04/2026

We're not perfect, my cues could be clearer, I could talk MUCH MUCH less than I do (thanks brain). But this is only the second time Voodoo and I have spent any time together playing and strengthening in easily 18 months. So I'm very much just playing around to see what he remembers, whilst also geting his heart rate up a bit to try and keep the chubb at bay, and reminding myself to keep cues clear and the chatter to a minimum. I haven't edited this video to show me doing all the good things because a training play session is as much for me as it is for Voodoo.....more even.

So I could be better, I have zero doubt I'm sometimes confusing to him and not clear. But I recognise that and then adjust or reset myself or him. Voodoo knows me well enough that I'm not going to get annoyed if he doesnt understand what to do because I'M not being clear.

I started clicker training with Voodoo 6 years ago. I had always wanted to train using positive reinforcement but fear of NOT being perfect, of getting it wrong stopped me. I read a book that said....you'll get it wrong and that's OK and this is what I needed to see to start playing with a new way of doing things.

Since then I have had so much fun with my boy. He LOVES to play. So much that he will do it rather than scoff the delicious green grass he is trotting around on, and often I've struggled to get him to leave the arena. He has the option to say no and some sessions he does just that and I accept it.

So in my humble opinion perfect doesn't exist. If you decide to try a new way of training and new way of thinking and a new way of being with your horse you will absolutely get it wrong. THAT'S OK 🫂
Some days will just devolve into lunacy and others you'll get it so right you will almost see your horse grinning as they find the freedom to try, freedom to think and space to work it out with you together.

You don't need to be perfect you just need to relax and have fun.....that's all your horse wants ☺️

27/04/2026

My weekend was filled with super interesting presentations from the leading experts in canine pain management.

I've learnt so much and feel excited to bring what I've learnt into my practice.

CPD is such a important part of being a Veterinary Physiotherapist, keeping up to date with advances in our field to help our furry clients as effectively as we can.

19/04/2026

This is the first time Voodoo and I have had a proper play together since before I had my second baby. He hasnt done any significant work for a long time due to me having little people. He needs at least 6 weeks strengthening groundwork before I even think about sitting on him.

Today just to get his blood moving a bit and to have a play around.
Also to see how much I remember!
Recording myself is such a useful thing to do as it allows me to see, or hear the thing I AM doing wrong, not Voodoo but me.

For instance I need to clean up the clarity of my cues. I can end up just constantly chattering and I can sometimes over use my voice which dulls the clarity of my cues to Voodoo.
Some of the cues I am using here other than the tongue cluck are:
Good good good... This is a keep going cue. It means that he is doing something that is what I want and I want him to keep going.
Up - this is when he drops his head a bit lower than I would like so I'm asking him to raise and engage his thoracic sling a bit more.
VoooooDooooo - when I want him to come towards me and bring his line closer to me.
Obviously walk on and trot are self explanatory.

I'm not asking for a circle particularly, I'm more asking for him to listen and connect and allowing him to use a bigger area. Especially as he hasn't done anything for a good while. So I'm moving with him.

Doing this at liberty allows him to balance his own body and means he isn't attached to me or leaning on a lunge rein. Also he then can chose his own line as is comfortable for his body. I can work on the flexion etc at a later date or with closer in hand work still using positive reinforcement.

Voodoo and I have been using clicker training (positive reinforcement) for over 6 years now and the autonomy it has given him and the freedom to be curious about the world and not fearful of it just humbles me daily.
Voodoo hasn't done anything for so long and yet instantly remembers all he has learn and does it with complete enthusiasm and joy.

Need to find my pivo for better videos though!

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

MYTH: I have to recarpet my whole house for my arthritic dog.

Good news: you don't need to recarpet! 🛠️
Creating safe, non-slip "runways" using rubber-backed runners, interlocking foam tiles, or even yoga mats gives your dog the grip they need exactly where they walk the most.