Canine Osteopathy

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Canine Osteopathy

Alison has experience in all aspects of osteopathy with a specialism in Canine Osteopathy. She graduated from the British School of Osteopathy (now known as the University College of Osteopathy) in 2003 with a First Class Honours Degree in Osteopathy and gained the Pathology Award. She is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and is a member of the Institute of Osteopathy. She completed a Post-graduate Diploma in Animal Osteopathy at the European School of Osteopathy.

Prior to 2003, having gained a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from Aston University in 1982 followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education for FE (PGCE) from Garnet College in 1983, Alison worked as a Biology Lecturer at Waltham Forest College of Further Education in East London for 13 years. After leaving teaching as a career she worked for BTEC (later to become Edexcel) as an Education Advisor for five years. She combines her experience as an educator with her osteopathic skills to encourage patients’ understanding of their, and/or their pet’s, structural problems.

Alison treats both human and canine patients in her Forest Row practice

The basic principles of Osteopathy apply equally to both humans and animals. By working on a dog’s muscles and joints any imbalances can be corrected thus helping your dog to lead a healthy, full and pain-free life. Osteopaths treat the body as a whole and diagnosis aims to uncover the underlying cause of the problem rather than just focusing on one particular medical condition.
Dogs can only show us that they are suffering by altering either their behaviour or their performance. Sometimes they show us clearly by developing a limp or a change in their gait (how they move), but often the signs are more subtle. They might hesitate to jump onto a sofa or into the car, they might show discomfort with a growl or whimper, or they might just look “out of sorts”. This is the time to act: before the problem has become ingrained and the dog has developed ways of compensating which just compound and confuse the problem.
Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, an Animal Osteopath is required, by law, to gain consent from an animal’s Veterinary Surgeon before proceeding with any examination or treatment.
After contacting Alison she will contact your vet for you to gain the necessary approval.

Why might my dog need treatment?

Traumas and Accidents: falls, road traffic collisions, slipping, fighting

Repetitive Activities: jumping on and off the sofa, in and out of the car

Competitions: Greyhound/Whippet racing, Agility dogs

Breed Weaknesses: Dogs with long backs and relatively short legs are prone to disc problems (e.g. Dachshunds); hip dysplasia (e.g. German Shepherds);
cervical vertebral instability (e.g. Weimaraners); osteochondritis dissecans
affecting the shoulders and elbows (e.g. Labrador Retrievers)

Lameness: Arthritic pain’s and hip dysplasia can cause the dog to compensate his/her walking gait, which can develop into secondary back problems.

Post surgery

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The registered osteopaths at Alison Read Osteopathic Clinic

Call us now on

07817416207

Canine Osteopathy