Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy | Pets | Zoo consulting

A comprehensive approach to health and rehabilitation

Incorporating physiotherapy, behaviour and environmental management for long term results, for all animals.

The services we offer

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Treatment and assessment of dogs, cats, pet exotics and small animals

Zoo consultancy and Physiotherapy

Full assessment of environment, behaviour and activity for treatment and prevention

CPD and training

Training for zookeepers and veterinary professionals

Who are we?

We are UK-based Veterinary Physiotherapists who specialise in a holistic approach to rehabilitation, and the prevention of musculoskeletal and neurological disease in both domestic and exotic animals. We work in conjunction with pet owners and other professionals (Veterinary staff and zookeepers) to tackle disease and prevent reoccurrence. As well as using manual treatment when appropriate, we use a comprehensive approach of environmental, behavioural and functional management.

We work with domestic animals in the North-West of England and North Wales, and with specialist cases (Zoo and Exotics) UK and worldwide. Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy is some of the few Veterinary therapists who are insured to work with/treat exotic animals, due to their background, training and memberships within the zoo industry. We also offer a variety of workshops, CPD and talks for zoological and veterinary professionals, and educational institutions.

What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Find out more

1 June 2024 at 11:48:59

Enrichment workshop - YWP

Matthew recently ran our new Functional enrichment workshop for keepers and university students, at Yorkshire wildlife park. Attendees learnt about anatomy, pain, adaptation, disease, life stages and behaviour, and then designed enrichment for a number of species in the park that already had existing conditions, including giraffe, lions, camels, capybara and meerkats.

7 July 2023 at 11:03:42

Royal veterinary college

Matthew was invited down to give a lecture on the ethical application of physiotherapy and rehabilitation in captive wild animals, and deliver a workshop on functional assessment for vets, and the use of positive reinforcement training for treatment.

7 July 2023 at 11:01:27

Paignton Zoo - Lameness workshop

We were invited down to the collection to deliver our lameness workshop for the keeper and veterinary staff at the collection, and visiting treated a variety of animals within the collection.

Shackleton veterinary physiotherapy provided the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Cattery with some fantastic CPD and also provided us with extremely valuable advice on some of the cats within our care. Matthew has a very holistic approach to his treatments and ensures that the client fully understands the exercises that are implemented and the theory behind each intervention.

Nicola - RSPCA Vet nurse