Physiotherapy: The Physiotherapy service uses a variety of physical rehabilitation techniques to aid in the recovery of patients undergoing a variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

Physiotherapists:

Helen Fentem-Jones Cat A ACPAT, MCSP. MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy, MSc Physiotherapy

Jemma Fry BTEC ProfDip Sports Massage, AdvCertVPhys, FdSc, MIRVAP

The Physiotherapy service is led by Helen Fentem-Jones, Helen is a chartered physiotherapist who gained considerable clinical experience working as a physiotherapist in human medicine and surgery prior to undertaking further training to become a category A ACPAT (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy) member. Helen is assisted by Jemma Fry.

Jemma has a background of experience in both equine and human sports massage from working in mixed veterinary practice. Subsequently, Jemma under took further training, achieving the Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy with Canine & Equine Physiotherapy Training (CEPT) at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School.

Physiotherapy uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being. We aim to offer a physiotherapy service that is progressively dynamic, patient-centred and focussed towards continued excellence with ongoing development of knowledge and skills in the veterinary physiotherapy field. We provide an in-patient service, working in close collaboration with the clinical specialities to improve follow-up and adjunctive care. We also offer an out-patient service both for the follow-up of discharged patients and for initial assessments of patients from our referring veterinary surgeons. Both our inpatient and our outpatient services encompass a broad range of treatment techniques, both land based and water based, in our state of the art physiotherapy & hydrotherapy facility.

We maintain close communication with our referring clinicians to maintain case care continuity and monitoring of progress.
Physiotherapy can assist and compliment traditional treatment strategies in veterinary medicine and surgery including:

  • Neurology: assisting return to function in medically managed patients and postoperatively for neuro-surgery patients
  • Medicine: maintenance of function during acute medical illness
  • Orthopaedics: supporting and accelerating return of limb function following surgery for developmental and degenerative problems and traumatic injuries
  • Critical Care: management of the recumbent patient, giving preventative treatment protective against problems with the musculoskeletal or respiratory systems
  • Analgesia: acute and chronic pain management.
  • Care of elderly patients, e.g chronic osteoarthritis

"The treatment and care my dog (Boss) has received from Helen at Dick white Referrals Physiotherapy dept has been second to none. There has been consistent and noticeable improvement from the very first session. I am sure a lot of this marked improvement is due to the fact his treatment has been undertaken in such a way he has never been stressed at any point and now looks forward to his appointments. Consideration for other health conditions have been taken into account throughout his treatment and where needed other members of staff at DWR have been consulted. I would highly recommend the Physiotherapy Department at DWR and all the DWR hospital."

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Our services include:

  • Neurology
  • Medicine
  • Orthopaedics
  • Critical Care
  • Care of elderly patients
Dick White Referrals - Helen Fentem-Jones

Helen Fentem-Jones: Physiotherapist

Cat A ACPAT, MCSP. MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy, MSc Physiotherapy

My path to get to where I am now is a long but interesting one; I started on my goal be part of the Veterinary profession when I was 18 years old, taking on the temporary position of trainee veterinary nurse in a Veterinary Hospital in Shropshire in my gap year prior to going to university.

My first degree was a Bachelors in Equine Science at the University of Bristol and upon achieving a First Class honours on completion of this degree in 2002, I was at a junction as to which career path I would follow. I decided on Physiotherapy, and so undertook a Masters in Human Physiotherapy at Kings College London, completed in September 2004. Thereafter, I worked at Peterborough District Hospital, working with musculoskeletal, neurological and critical care patients. After the required two years experience in human physiotherapy, I started my Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College, completing this in 2009.

I joined Dick White Referrals in 2009, with the exciting opportunity to found and develop a state of the art Physiotherapy service within close collaboration with all the Specialist disciplines. Our aim is not only to give the best available physiotherapy and hydrotherapy service for our patients, but also to maintain a professional, friendly and informal collaboration with all physiotherapists that will be continuing treatment for our patients as they leave our hospital.

Outside of work I enjoy riding my horse, a rescued Arab-cross called Masquie and walking my dog, a black Labrador called Bobby.

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Dick White Referrals - Jemma Fry

Jemma Fry: Physiotherapist

BTEC ProfDip Sports Massage, AdvCertVPhys, FdSc, MIRVAP

I have always had a keen interest in animals and their welfare and over the years I have become more interested in how they move and how physiotherapy and massage can improve performance and help animals recover from serious illness and injury.

Initially I gained a range of qualifications and experience in both equine and human sports massage, however, my interest in small animal medicine increased whilst working in a mixed veterinary practise in Essex. I wanted to expand my qualifications to enable me to help a range of animals with physiotherapy and I took the opportunity to complete an Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy with Canine & Equine Physiotherapy Training (CEPT).

I joined Dick White Referrals in 2011 to become part of a team of veterinary professionals and a specialist physiotherapy and hydrotherapy centre. The excellent facilities and experience of the staff here aim to ensure the best possible care for all the animals in the hospital.

In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog, horse riding and skiing.