The Animal Physio

The Animal Physio Our mission is to greatly improve the quality of life for your pet.

I know you have a choice when it comes to who treats your dog or cat. There are lots of clinics out there, so when you c...
24/08/2026

I know you have a choice when it comes to who treats your dog or cat. There are lots of clinics out there, so when you choose The Animal Physio, I never take that for granted.

They’re not “just a dog” or “just a cat”. They’re part of our family. I’ve thought about this a lot recently after losing my little Diddy. It’s been a reminder of just how precious the time we have with them is.

I know that when you bring them to The Animal Physio, you’re putting your trust in me, and I don't take that lightly. I feel incredibly lucky to get to know so many wonderful dogs and cats, and the people who love them.

Whether I’ve been helping your dog or cat recover from an injury, manage a condition, stay active or simply feel their best as they get older, I’m incredibly grateful that you choose me to be part of their journey.

Thank you for trusting me with their care, and for allowing me to be part of their lives.

At just six months old, Simba had already been through more than any puppy should. Diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasi...
22/08/2026

At just six months old, Simba had already been through more than any puppy should. Diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia, he was adopted by his parents, who knew he would need total hip replacements on his joints.

The initial surgery took place shortly after his first birthday. Sadly, it wasn't successful, and just six weeks later Simba needed another operation to remove the artificial joint and perform a femoral head ostectomy.

That’s when I met Simba, and we started a comprehensive programme of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and bespoke exercises. With a huge amount of commitment from his family, Simba started to become stronger until his muscle mass improved, and it was almost even on both sides.

Around nine months later, Simba was due to have the surgery on his second hip. We had been working hard to prepare Simba for surgery and his recovery after.

I had been keeping in contact with his parents the night before, and when my phone rang just before the scheduled surgery, I didn’t know what to think.

The surgeon had examined Simba and was so impressed with his physical condition and the muscle he had developed around his second hip that he decided the surgery was no longer needed!

Rehabilitation can't prevent the need for surgery in every dog with hip dysplasia, and sometimes surgery is absolutely the right option. But Simba's story is a lovely example of what consistent physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise and a committed family can achieve.

Even when surgery is needed, starting physiotherapy beforehand can help your dog improve their physical strength, get familiar with the clinic environment and exercises, and be better prepared for recovery afterwards.

If your dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, do get in touch, and let’s see how I can help.

🎂 Happy 13th Birthday, Oscar! 🎂Oscar has been coming to see me for the past two years, and it's always a pleasure to hav...
16/08/2026

🎂 Happy 13th Birthday, Oscar! 🎂

Oscar has been coming to see me for the past two years, and it's always a pleasure to have him in the clinic.

Back in the spring, Oscar needed emergency surgery, so being able to celebrate his 13th birthday with him made this visit extra special.

And I absolutely loved his stylish birthday bandana!

Please join me in wishing Oscar a Happy Birthday.

This morning my little Diddy told me it was her time. Diddy came into my life when she was two years old, and for the pa...
10/08/2026

This morning my little Diddy told me it was her time.

Diddy came into my life when she was two years old, and for the past fifteen years we have had the pleasure of living with 1.7kg of pure cheekiness. She had a big heart in her tiny body.

Despite her small size, Diddy was such a character and would often try to convince me the cat’s bed should actually be hers

One of her favourite things was watching when anyone opened a Champagne bottle. We adopted Diddy from a little old lady, and I have a feeling she was drinking more than just tea! For the first two years of her life, Diddy never had a walk and stood terrified if you placed her on grass.

My family and I would like to thank Steph at Home Vet NI for her compassion and kindness this afternoon.

I am heartbroken.

At The Animal Physio, I have the pleasure of working with Cooper on his agility conditioning. Cooper’s parents and I hel...
09/08/2026

At The Animal Physio, I have the pleasure of working with Cooper on his agility conditioning. Cooper’s parents and I help him stay strong and fit for the sport he enjoys so much.

However, recently, he has taken on another very special job. Cooper has started a new role as a therapy dog. I was lucky enough to hear about his first visit, and thought you’d like to hear about it too.

Cooper visited a local hospital's mental health ward and, unsurprisingly, quickly became the centre of attention!

What really stood out was the way he brought people together. Patients spent time talking to each other while interacting with Cooper, creating a lovely sense of community on the ward. The staff were delighted by the positive impact he was having and how much enjoyment he was bringing to the people around him.

It's lovely to see him using his energy and enthusiasm in such a different way. I’m delighted to be able to help Cooper stay strong and healthy, and support him in his new role.

Rehabilitation is about using the right treatment at the right time.Some dogs need physiotherapy and laser therapy. Othe...
03/08/2026

Rehabilitation is about using the right treatment at the right time.

Some dogs need physiotherapy and laser therapy. Others benefit from the underwater treadmill. More often, it's a combination of both.

At The Animal Physio, you don't have to decide between physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. I offer both, so your dog's rehabilitation is managed by the same person from start to finish. As always, I adapt the treatment plan as your dog progresses, without interrupting their care.

Coming to The Animal Physio means no travelling between different clinics or juggling separate appointments. With one therapist overseeing your dog's rehabilitation, there's no risk of important details being lost in communication or treatment plans becoming disconnected.

Each appointment builds on the last because I already know your dog's history, how they've responded to treatment, and what they need next.

With the cost of living affecting us all, I believe rehabilitation should be as straightforward and affordable as possible. That's why there's just one appointment fee. It isn't an extra expense to have both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy available. It simply means your dog receives the treatment that's most appropriate on the day.

Having both services under one roof means consistent, personalised care throughout your dog's rehabilitation.

Recently I was asked “why do older dogs lose muscle in their back legs first?” and I thought this would make a good post...
29/07/2026

Recently I was asked “why do older dogs lose muscle in their back legs first?” and I thought this would make a good post.

Weak back legs don't happen overnight. Muscle loss often starts long before we, as owners, notice it.

Dogs naturally carry around 60% of their body weight through their front legs and 40% through their back legs. Their front legs are built for support, while their back legs provide the power for movement. If a dog has even mild discomfort in their hips, knees, or lower back, they'll naturally shift more weight onto their front end to avoid pain. This "use it or lose it" effect is known as disuse atrophy. As the hind limb muscles are used less, they gradually begin to weaken and shrink.

Another reason is sarcopenia, the natural age-related loss of muscle. As dogs get older, protein synthesis slows down, meaning their bodies can't rebuild muscle as efficiently as they once could. The large muscles of the hind limbs are often the first to be affected, making weakness much more noticeable.

The important thing to remember is that muscle loss is rarely just a sign of ageing. Common conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia don't just cause discomfort, they change the way your dog moves. As your dog uses their back legs less, the muscles continue to weaken, creating a cycle of pain, weakness, and further muscle loss.

By identifying the cause early and starting a tailored physiotherapy, or hydrotherapy strengthening programme, we can help rebuild muscle and maintain function. Together we can work to slow the process down and keep your dog doing the things they love for longer.

Huge congratulations to Gertie and Jo on recently completing their Level 3 and Level 4 Mantrailing awards in Scotland.Ge...
27/07/2026

Huge congratulations to Gertie and Jo on recently completing their Level 3 and Level 4 Mantrailing awards in Scotland.

Gertie worked incredibly hard to achieve this in just two days. Such an amazing accomplishment and a testament to both her determination and Jo's dedication.

I'm especially proud to have played a small part in Gertie's journey. They came to see me at The Animal Physio clinic after Gertie partially tore her cruciate ligament. Through a tailored rehabilitation programme, we were able to successfully get her back to fitness, and now she’s doing what she loves once more.

If you'd like to find out how I can help your sporting dog, please get in touch so we can have a chat.

When a dog has a luxating patella (a condition where the kneecap slips out of place), many owners assume surgery is the ...
14/07/2026

When a dog has a luxating patella (a condition where the kneecap slips out of place), many owners assume surgery is the only option.

The good news is that this isn't always the case.

Luxating patellas are graded from 1 to 4, depending on their severity.

Lola is 10 years old and visits me for conservative management of her Grade 2 luxating patella. Grade 2 means her kneecap slips out on its own but returns naturally or can be gently manipulated back into place.

At The Animal Physio, I help dogs with luxating patellas like Lola through a combination of laser therapy, targeted therapeutic exercises, and underwater treadmill sessions. These treatments aim to improve muscle strength, support joint stability, reduce discomfort, and help dogs stay active.

For many dogs with Grade 1 or Grade 2 luxating patellas, conservative management is an excellent first step. Even if surgery is needed later on, your dog will already be stronger, have a better understanding of their exercises, and be familiar with the clinic environment and underwater treadmill. That confidence can make the rehabilitation process much less stressful and help them settle into post-operative physiotherapy more quickly.

Every dog is different, so the right treatment plan will depend on their age, lifestyle, clinical signs, and the severity of their condition. If you're unsure what the best option is for your dog, I’m always happy to discuss how physiotherapy could help.

This evening I am heartbroken at the loss of Diesel. Many of you will know Diesel from Beechgrove Doggy Fun Park. Diesel...
11/07/2026

This evening I am heartbroken at the loss of Diesel.

Many of you will know Diesel from Beechgrove Doggy Fun Park.

Diesel was an incredible fifteen and had been coming to me for physiotherapy, sometimes joined by his brother Jetty and then Oliver.

To Jet’s annoyance, it was important for Diesel to get comfortable in my clinic. Diesel would walk around in circles to find the perfect spot for his laser treatment, and Jet would bark at him as if to say “Stop doing that! You’re annoying; just sit down so Teresa can start!”

When Diesel first arrived, his mum, Paula, had warned me he wasn’t a fan of hands-on treatment, but he loved his sessions! This was especially apparent once Oliver started coming along to the clinic and Diesel would push Oliver out of the way! I could imagine him saying, “ I need you, he doesn’t!” Diesel loved his laser sessions.

Diesel’s dad said: ‘he’s some pup,’ and that’s exactly what he was.

It was my honour to treat you Diesel. My thoughts are with your family 💔

Address

11 Burrenreagh Road
Castlewellan
BT319HH

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+447922168072

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