Why Physiotherapy Can Be Life-Changing for Dogs – featuring Zoe Clarke from Caledonia Veterinary Physiotherapy

If you’ve ever noticed your dog slowing down, getting stiff, or just seeming a bit “off,” it can be hard to know how to help. Physiotherapy can make a huge difference – not just for recovery after injury, but for preventing problems before they start, easing pain, improving mobility, and supporting your dog’s long-term health and wellbeing.

I use Zoe Clarke of Caledonia Veterinary Physiotherapy for both my own dog and horse, and her approach is nothing short of brilliant. She’s calm, knowledgeable, and looks at every animal as an individual, always considering the full picture rather than just the symptoms.

Here’s what Zoe says about her work:

“Physio is beneficial for a range of dogs and conditions. I see a variation of canine clients, ranging from management of the elderly arthritic client, conservative management of degenerative conditions to post-surgical rehabilitation. Essentially I am there to help reduce pain and help the dog and the owner break that cycle, looking at the picture holistically. We do this by combining specific prescribed home exercises to improve strength and make adjustments to their day to day routine / surroundings that may be aggravating injury.”

What to Expect from a Session

“Canine sessions are usually around 45 minutes in length, We begin by discussing the history of your dog. This will include taking a medical history, discussing any changes in behaviour, and getting an idea of their day to day exercise routine. I will then watch your dog take a walk and a trot up, this allows me to observe gait patterns and asymmetries. All important in leading me to understanding where your dog is compensating and additionally sore. Then we get hands on, initially with a palpation assessment of the musculature and individual joint range of motion. I’ll assess for areas of weakness, overdevelopment, hypertonicity. We then treat accordingly, using a mixture of manual therapy, laser therapy, passive stretching and joint mobilisations.”

That hands-on assessment gives Zoe a clear picture of how the dog is moving, where pain might be present, and what kind of treatment plan will help most.

The Importance of Early Intervention

“Early intervention and regular maintenance work in your canine patient can be very beneficial in preventing or controlling disease degeneration. Identifying poor conformation qualities or areas of weakness allow us to manage daily demands and build appropriate strength and management techniques.”

Zoe’s approach is all about prevention as much as recovery. Regular maintenance, especially for older dogs or those with known joint issues, can prevent small problems from becoming major ones later on.

Simple but Powerful Advice for Owners

“I think my biggest piece of advice in older dogs, is make sure they are living on surfaces they can actually get a grip to walk on. Laminate flooring really doesn’t benefit our pets unfortunately, runner rugs can be hugely beneficial to let them move confidently around the house. Ditch the ball thrower toy! Repetitive, obsessive ball throwing can lead to repetitive strain injuries and/or aggravates joint disease prematurely. By no means stop playing fetch with your dog, but ensure it’s controlled, they have had a chance to warm up before darting off across a field or use scent exercises to help with enrichment instead. Keep an eye on your dog, make sure they’re keen going out on a walk, how do they behave when you ask them to jump in / out the car, do they manage the stairs in your house ok? Have you noticed new unexplainable, aggressive behaviour? Do they excessively lick? These are all signs that your dog may benefit from physiotherapy.”

That last point is such an important reminder. Subtle changes in behaviour often tell us more than we think – discomfort can show up as irritability, restlessness, or a reluctance to do everyday things.

Zoe’s Journey into Veterinary Physiotherapy

Zoe’s love for animals started early, having grown up surrounded by them. It was her own mare’s injury and long rehabilitation that inspired her to explore veterinary physiotherapy.

“Having grown up always owning animals and being fortunate enough to have my own horses, it was my own mare needing a considerable amount of rehabilitation following an injury that led me to discover Veterinary Physiotherapy. I completed my MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College, graduating in 2021. I was very lucky at Writtle to get a lot of practical, hands on, experience within top class facilities. As well as a depth of anatomical and biomechanical knowledge. Completing my MSc means I am actually qualified to treat any animal! A job opportunity straight from graduating led me back North, to the Highlands, where I have worked as a Vet Physio since. I am so lucky to call this part of the world my “office”. It is so lovely to be a small part of a big team supporting and improving your horses or canines welfare and performance. I find rehabilitation work the most rewarding; facing and overcoming the different challenges at each stage. It is so lovely to watch owners reap the rewards of their dedication and hard work too.”

Final Thoughts

Zoe’s passion for what she does shines through in every word. Her holistic, compassionate approach focuses not just on healing but on helping dogs (and owners) live comfortably and confidently.

If you’d like to learn more, you can find Zoe at Caledonia Veterinary Physiotherapy – and if you’re local to the Highlands, I can’t recommend her enough.