Veterinary Physiotherapist
Shelby Webster Post Grad Dip Veterinary Physiotherapy, BSc (HONS) MCHAOur Veterinary Physiotherapy service is run by Shelby, at our Small Animal Veterinary Hospital in Bedford. Shelby holds an MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy in addition to her many years of experience as a certified Canine Hydrotherapist.
Shelby qualified with a Level 4 Canine Hydrotherapy Professional Award in 2011 and has worked as a Hydrotherapist since then with many different dogs. Helping some through rehabilitation, post injury and surgery, some with their arthritis management and other top agility and cani-cross sporting dogs, with fitness and muscle health.
Shelby joined our team as a Hydrotherapist in January 2020 and qualified with a Post Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy in the Summer of 2023. Shelby achieved her MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2024. Shelby has a background in Canine psychology and behaviour.
She believes this allows her to assess each animal and work with them as an individual, helping them to best achieve their goals. Shelby loves working with dogs of all ages and breeds and has a particular love for sighthounds.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is part of the multi-modal approach complementing Veterinary treatment for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions.
It involves both observational and hands-on assessment and individual evidence-based treatment to reach optimum function.
Treatment may encompass manual therapies such as massage and joint mobilisations, electrotherapies such as LASER alongside remedial exercises and environmental management.
Why is physiotherapy beneficial?
Physiotherapy is beneficial both for rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions but also prevention of injury and improving performance in athletic dogs.
• Can be initiated early on
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces pain
• Improves rate of healing
• Improves range of motion of joints
• Improves joint health
• Increases core stability and strength
• Improves balance and coordination
• Restores functional movement
What to expect
The first session will be around one hour duration with our Veterinary Physiotherapist and will include:
• History taking
• Full hands-on assessment
• Gait and functional movement assessment
• Prioritising and addressing findings/goals through use of modalities which may include, LASER, Massage, Remedial exercise, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy
• Individual treatment plans including home management and targeted exercises
Follow-up appointments will be arranged for assessment and progression on an individual basis.
Shelby brings her knowledge and many years’ experience in canine hydrotherapy and behaviour to this role, allowing her to assess and adapt the best working methods for each individual to perform to their optimum level.
An observational assessment is completed followed by a thorough hands on assessment of the dog’s joints and soft tissues. After the assessment, a treatment plan will be devised specifically for your dog.
Treatments may include massage, mobilisations, manipulation, stretches, electrotherapies, taping and exercises to target strength, agility, endurance, balance, proprioception or any other issues that may be found during the assessment.
Please allow a full hour for the first assessment. Appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
We can arrange for you to attend one of our 3 sites, for your convenience.
How do I book an appointment?
To receive Physiotherapy treatment at Scott Veterinary Clinic, Bedford, your pet must first be referred by a Veterinary Surgeon. If you are already a client at Scotts and have seen a vet here, this will be organised internally for you after discussing it with your vet.
If you attend a different veterinary practice and would like to be referred for physiotherapy treatment, simply press the link “Download Hydrotherapy/Physiotherapy Referral Form“
and ask your Vet to fill in this form.
Please send the completed form to hydro@scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk We are also happy to receive this in paper form, for the attention of Shelby Webster, Physiotherapist.
Once we have a completed referral form, we will request a full clinical history from your Veterinary Practice. You will then be contacted by our physiotherapist, to discuss starting treatment with your pet.
Please note you do not have to be a registered client of Scott Veterinary Clinic to benefit from this service. If you have any questions regarding this process, please call to speak with one of our team on: 01234 261622 (or via email hydro@scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk.)
£75.90 per session
Home visits
Nadia Kopec MSc, ACPAT Cat A, RAMP, BSc Hons, MCSP, HCPC
Nadia is an ACPAT Cat A physiotherapist based in Bedford and provides a home visit veterinary physiotherapy service for horses, dogs and small animals covering Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire.
We have worked alongside Nadia for many years, and we have seen first-hand Nadia’s passion to provide an effective and quality service to all animals and their owners.
Please contact our team for more details: 01234 261622
Like to know more about Hydrotherapy? Click here