Britain is a nation of animal lovers, and none more so than the army of veterinary professionals who care for the country’s pets and livestock.
Here in Cheshire we’re very much cut from the same cloth – from the furry friends who inhabit our homes to the hoofed or winged critters that are cared for by our fantastic farmers, they’re all a massive part of our lives.
This summer, Rachael Billington from Knutsford decided to use her passion for animals to establish a new business to ensure they are kept fit and well.
The 22-year-old recently completed a BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapy degree at Harper Adams University, and in July she launched Cheshire County Vet Physio.
Ms Billington is a fully-qualified and insured veterinary physiotherapist, capable of treating all creatures great and small: from a guinea pig to a cow, and anything in between.
The treatments she offers include manual therapies – such as massage, stretching, joint manipulation and mobilisation, and remedial exercises – as well as laser therapy which involves using infrared light to help reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing.
“You get to play a massive part in the rehabilitation of an animal and I think it’s really rewarding to play a part in some of the cases I’ve treated,” Ms Billington said.
“When I was on a placement at uni – I saw a little dog that was basically paralysed in its back legs and when it came in it couldn’t stand for itself,” she recalled.
“In the last week of my 22-week placement, the dog walked across the room on its own.
“It was really rewarding to watch the dog go from not being able to stand at all to being able to walk across the room.
“We used acupuncture and laser and different stimulations to the back legs, remedial exercise to get the nerves working again in the dog’s back legs.”
She added that not only was it satisfying to see the progress made by the animal, but also to see the worry gradually lifted from the owner’s face.
Ms Billington is accredited by the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP), meaning she is required to meet strict standards of proficiency and professional conduct.
She currently runs weekly canine clinics in Middlewich and Mobberley, and travels all around Cheshire to provide equine and other treatments.
She is also a member of Knutsford Young Farmers, despite having not come from a farming background.
“Young Farmers has been a massive part of my life,” she said. “It’s just nice to have a group where everyone is so supportive and friendly.
“I don’t know why I didn’t join earlier because I’m having the best time.”
She said her friends and family had supported her in setting up her new business, and that they had lifted her spirits during the stressful moments of getting it off the ground.
As for her own pets, Ms Billington has a horse, two cats and lots of chickens.
She has worked with a range of animals – including dogs, cats, horses, cows and wildlife as well as competition animals, such as agility dogs and eventing horses.
Her aim now is spread the word about her new business and to establish more clinics in local veterinary practices.
Customers can get in touch with her by calling 07435 884 815 or by emailing rachael@cheshirecountyvetphysio.co.uk with enquiries.
Cheshire County Vet Physio can be found online at www.cheshirecountyvetphysio.co.uk as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
