Canine Arthritis and Pain Physiology
1 Hour Bitesize CPD

I qualified as a RVN in 2008, having spent a year in an equine practice before starting my training as a small animal nurse in a busy, fast paced practice. After graduating as an RVN from Hartpury College, I was soon inspired to train student nurses and quickly developed a love of anaesthesia so as soon as I was able to, I did my A1 Assessor qualification. After several years training nurses in practice, and gaining as much experience as possible in emergency care, I decided to join Warwickshire College. Here, I trained as an Internal Verifier for Veterinary Nursing, did some lecturing, and supported the students and clinical coaches within their practices, as well as working some shifts in a local emergency care clinic. I couldn't stay away from practice for too long though, so I eventually returned to practice and begun to pursue my interest in anaesthesia, pain and healing. In 2015 I completed the ESVPS Nursing Certificate in anaesthesia, after studying everything from pain pathways, to neuromuscular blockers, to anaesthetic emergencies. Using this knowledge in practice was amazing, and gaining the support of the Vets I worked with meant that we were able to offer the highest level of care to our patients. Following on from this, I continued by furthering my knowledge of healing, pain and rehabilitation by completing a Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy. I am on the IAAT register as a Veterinary Physiotherapist, and specialise in Class IV Laser therapy in horses and dogs. The study of pain is intertwined with anaesthesia, and I love being able to know I can help not only with post-anaesthesia protocols but also with rehabilitation of my patients. I now have my own small physiotherapy business – Cotswold Animal Therapy- and I also continue to work part time as a senior nurse in a large practice, getting stuck into high-risk GAs wherever possible. I can often be found guest lecturing at the local college on topics such as resuscitation, or delivering in-house CPD within our Veterinary Group. I am also harbouring plans to do an MSc in the future, if time allows! My passion is supporting students and newly qualified nurses, who can find that taking their first steps into practice is a little daunting. I hope to be able to share my experiences, and pass on some of the useful information I have gained over the last 13 years in practice to help allow RVNs and students to develop their nursing style.