Sarah Bell

BSc (Hons), MIRVAP(VP), AHPR,NAVP

Hello!

As a teenager, I wanted a career in Veterinary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation . I was always slightly in awe of the physio “magic” that kept my horses going and for the knack they had in predicting a potential problem. I wanted to understand how they did what they did, and whether I could learn to do it as well.  

However, the time wasn’t right for me to undertake the training at the time, and my career followed a more traditional route of working in a corporate environment in the pharmaceutical sector. Later, I left pharma to work for a number of charities, setting up new services for people with either a Brain Injury, Autism or a Learning Disability. I loved the difference I could make to people's lives but still yearned to work as a vet physio.

Finally, I got the chance to pursue my dream and in 2023, qualified with a First Class Honours BSc from the Royal Agricultural University  in Veterinary Physiotherapy – something which I am extremely proud of.

Dressage horse recovering from a tendon injury

I’ve been involved with horses since I was a child, owning and competing my own horses in Dressage, British Eventing and Show-jumping until a few years ago, when my one-in-a-million event horse, developed an inoperable bone spur and had to retire.

Anyone who is connected with horses, knows that despite their size, they can be quite fragile beings and over the years as an owner - I learned how to manage and help horses with kissing spines, osteoarthritis, sacro-iliac dysfunction, tendon injuries, and laminitis to name a few common conditions.

My last horse (pictured) gave me the inspiration for my dissertation – he suffers with a muscle disease known as an idiopathic myopathy or muscle disease of an unknown cause, and really struggled with faster work once he reached maturity. I was curious to know if carefully controlled exercise could be part of the solution, and together with a wonderful group of study volunteers, identified some in-hand exercises which demonstrably improved pain and also movement.

Download a PowerPoint of the study.

I adore my two dogs - one does a bit of agility training, whilst the other prefers to shout encouragement from the sidelines – yes, you’ve guessed it - they’re terriers! I only do it for fun but it is addictive, and I think I may have to introduce them to Hoopers soon – if only for my own sanity.

Until recently, I’ve always had German Shepherds– so am familiar with the common problems such as hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

During our Physiotherapy  training, we spent over 50% of our time learning and working with qualified practitioners to manage canine cases such as these. I have learned so much during my degree– I just wish I could turn the clock back sometimes, to treat some of my old dogs.

Event horse recovering from injury and enjoying rehabilitation

Qualification and Accreditations:

I am so excited about now having my own Veterinary Physiotherapy practice, and hope to demystify some of the physio  “magic” I witnessed for my clients, so that working as a team, we wrap most appropriate care and treatment interventions around each animal.