Kent’s Leading Veterinary Rehabilitation Specialists
The Gold Standard In Physiotherapy And Hydrotherapy For Dogs
Restoring Mobility One Paw At A Time
Empowering dog owners to provide the best life for their canine companions.
Our mission at Apollo Animal Physio is to help support you in protecting, healing + maintaining your dog’s health to optimal condition. We offer an experienced, specialised and personalised service, seeking to understand your dog for the individual they are. Our neuro-musculoskeletal specialists work alongside your Vet to provide you and your dog with optimal care.
Whatever your dog’s age or problem, we at Apollo Animal Physio will support you and your vet to determine the underlying causes of pain or movement dysfunction, and provide solutions via a tailored mix of a multitude of therapies and services. Our pursuit is to help your family friend and your sporting companion to live a longer, happier, healthier life – enabling you to do more of what you love together.
At Apollo Animal Physio, we are confident to achieve significant improvement when it comes to movement, function and pain management. Our proactive approach includes continued alignment to your individual dog’s needs, which may inform the re-evaluation of treatment goals and their rehabilitation plan, so that the therapy continues to be targeted towards your dog’s needs.
Don't just take our word for it - see our extensive customer feedback.
How to Book an Appointment
Step 1 - What treatment should I book?
Please head over to our Services page if you are unsure of the right treatment to book.
Step 2 - Register or book an appointment.
Fill out our new patient application form if you are new to the practice. If you are already registered with us, please book an appointment using our Existing Patient Online Booking.
Step 3 - What happens after registration? (New Patients)
- Once received by us we will liaise with your vet to obtain relevant history & consent.
- Once this is achieved, you will receive an email explaining all of the next steps required leading up to your booking.
For further enquiries, please head to our FAQs page. If you have questions prior to booking that cannot be answered, please send us an email.
Patient Pathway
Preliminary Information
The consultation begins with the physiotherapist gathering essential information about the dog, including its breed, age, medical history, and any previous diagnoses or treatments. We will ask about your dog’s everyday routine, behaviours and habits.
Veterinary Referral
In many cases, a veterinary referral may be required before initiating physiotherapy. The physiotherapist may request relevant veterinary records and collaborate with the veterinarian to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the dog’s health.
Initial Assessment
The physiotherapist performs a comprehensive physical examination, assessing the dog’s gait, range of motion, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and overall mobility. This assessment helps identify areas of discomfort, stiffness, or weakness. We will take a body condition score and weigh your dog.
Client Input
The pet owner plays a crucial role in the consultation. They provide insights into the dog’s behavior, daily activities, any observed changes, and specific concerns. This information helps in understanding the dog’s lifestyle and tailoring the treatment plan accordingly.
Joint Palpation and Mobility Testing
The physiotherapist conducts joint palpation to identify areas of inflammation, pain, or sensitivity. Mobility testing is performed to assess how well the joints move and to identify any restrictions.
Treatment Options Discussion
Based on the assessment findings, the physiotherapist discusses potential treatment options with the pet owner. This may include therapeutic exercises, massage, joint mobilization, aquatic therapy (hydrotherapy), heat or cold therapy, and other modalities.
Customized Treatment Plan
A personalized treatment plan is developed collaboratively, taking into account the dog’s specific condition, overall health, and the owner’s ability to implement the plan at home. The plan may include both in-clinic sessions and at-home exercises. We will follow up after this with some nutritional and supplement advice. We are not sponsored or driven by any nutraceutical or dietary companies which means our advice is absolutely independent.
Education and Home Care Instructions
The physiotherapist educates the pet owner on the nature of arthritis, the goals of physiotherapy, and the importance of consistent at-home care. Clear instructions are provided on how to perform prescribed exercises, administer medications, and monitor the dog’s progress. We want you to be empowered at home so we will teach you easy techniques and exercises that you can incorporate into your daily relationship with your own dog in between treatment sessions. We will also help you to evaluate small environmental changes within your dog’s home that can make all the difference to your dog’s everyday life.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the dog’s response to treatment, adjust the plan as needed, and address any concerns or questions from the pet owner. We aim to leave you in control; by teaching you how to use Client Specific Outcome Measures. Through monitoring your dog’s individual pain/ coping indicators, YOU can gauge improvement or deterioration and act accordingly.
Collaboration with Veterinarian
Ongoing communication between the physiotherapist and the veterinarian is maintained to provide a holistic approach to the dog’s care. Adjustments to the treatment plan can be made in collaboration with the veterinary team.
Our Practice Ethos
Every animal deserves the best available treatment
At Apollo Animal Physio, we firmly believe that each human being has something in this world that they are supposed to devote their time and passion towards. The Japanese call this idea ‘Ikigai’ – a reason for being. There are four parts to this concept. The first is “that which you love” – we at Apollo Animal Physio all have had a strong, deep connection to animals since we can remember. If you had a dog, you could almost forget any interaction – we would be talking pretty much exclusively with your dog!
We all have animals which we love dearly. They are our version of meditation every day – our absolute favourite part!
The second part to ‘Ikigai’ is “that which you are good at” – our devotion to animals has led us down a path of self-enlightenment regarding animal welfare. In retrospect, Laura has had animals in the past who were signaling that they were not 100% comfortable. However, she was not aware of their condition, simply because she did not know to look for the signs!
It is imperative to be a lifelong learner with an open mind to truly be the best that you can be, vocationally and generally.
Owners should be supported and informed when it comes to their animals' care
Our animals may have longer, happier, more functional lives
We Work Closely With All Local Vet Practices
Empathetic, Passionate Professionals
Contact Us
- 07300 020 514
- bookings@apolloanimalphysio.com
- apolloanimalphysio@gmail.com
- Apollo Animal Physiotherapy, Old Haine Road, Ramsgate, CT12 5AG
