Embark moots physiotherapy for street pooches

Saturday, 1 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The adage that dogs are just like humans was perfectly emphasised when veterinary physiotherapist and lecturer, Beth Roberts from Harper Adams University UK, recently visited Sri Lanka to conduct extensive treatment for Embark’s hospitalised pooches. Having realised that the sick and disabled dogs at the hospital can benefit greatly with apt physiotherapy, just as humans benefit from this science, Embark says it has, since early 2012, left no stone unturned across the globe in its quest for a veterinary physiotherapist who would create the added dimension of scientific rehabilitation for the canines under the care of the hospital. A promising email in August 2013 eventually heralded the visit of Beth in December. Conferred a Master’s degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy and a Specialist Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy, Beth’s 10 years of experience added the scope required to giving the animals, some of them partially or fully paralysed, a chance to revert to some semblance of normality, a Spokesperson for Embark said.

It was also rewarding that Beth understood the dogs’ psychological state as well, which is crucial in comprehending the extent of rehabilitation and care that each dogs requires. Beth commented on how rewarding the experience has been, working with such a dedicated team which is a wonderful example to the rest of the World with its efforts in rescue and rehabilitation. “I look forward to my return in 2014 – in particular, I cannot wait to visit some of my cases from this trip,” she said. Beth’s daily visits to the hospital saw her assess each dog, through an extensive and systematic examination process including the examination of muscles, bones and ligaments. For two weeks, she conducted extensive treatment processes alongside the Best Care Animal Hospital team, educating its team on the process. The treatments were customised for each dog, depending on the extent of the disability and they included: relaxation massages, hot and cold thermotherapies, rehabilitation and exercise therapy as well as specialised treatment for dogs that have neurological complications or have undergone amputations. The dearth of sophisticated equipment and facilities was challenging as she meted treatments in both hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. “But Beth’s love for animals took precedence, and with absolute determination she managed with the available resources, compensating for the lack of it with her hands and basic aids, which included gym balls and harnesses,” the Spokesperson said. Physiotherapy for animals is new to Sri Lanka and a dynamic of veterinary science that has not yet taken precedence as have other areas of speciality. Being keen to utilise Beth’s speciality and experience, Embark hosted a workshop for local veterinarians, fosters and shelter owners at the conclusion of her visit, as an initial step in cascading the science as well as in emphasising the importance of veterinary physiotherapy. Embark’s objective is to eventually permeate veterinary physiotherapy as common practice in Sri Lanka, providing a new lease of life to animals that suffer from disabilities, primarily due to being victims of traffic accidents.