Clinic
About
Valiant Veterinary Physiotherapy (VVPhysio Ltd) is a specialist small animal rehabilitation clinic in Melton Mowbray, set up and run by Dr Carol Ann Batchelor.
The clinic is equipped with a wide range of physiotherapy equipment, including a top of line hydrotherapy treadmill.
​
Our team is made up of several fully trained veterinary physiotherapists with additional hydrotherapy training, plus physiotherapy assistants. All staff are dedicated and passionate about continuing to update their professional education by keeping up to date with research and attending regular training days and courses.
​​​
This allows us to provide excellent patient care via individually tailored therapy programmes, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome for your beloved pets.
​
All therapy is carried out under veterinary referral in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
​
Physiotherapists
Carol Ann
Dr Carol Ann Batchelor BSc(Hons) CertSAHydro CertEdVPT AdvCertVPhys PhD; a fully insured and registered member of ​The Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and The Institue of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH). She created Valiant Vet Physio in 2013 working as a mobile therapist then set up the clinic in February 2017.
​
Carol Ann has spent many years studying various aspects of animal biology, biomechanics and rehabilitative therapy. She obtained her Bachelor degree in BioVeterinary Science and was awarded the Pfizer BioVeterinary Science prize in 2006. She then went on to study and obtain her PhD at the University of Liverpool specialising in canine anatomy, biomechanics and musculoskeletal adaptation in 2010.
​
After deciding to pursue her interest in animal rehabilitation she completed her Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Physiotherapy with CEP Training, gaining the top student award for her year, in 2012. After this in 2013 she obtained her Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy with Whitehouse Training Ltd. Carol Ann then went on to gain her Clinical Educator Certificate with CEP Training and accredited by the University of Middlesex in 2014.
​
Carol Ann has previously spent four years working full time for the Dogs Trust as their first ever canine hydrotherapist and physiotherapist, providing her with a wealth of experience working with a range of nervous and reactive dogs.
​
She also has an interest in teaching and research; she is a trained Clinical Educator and and spent several years as one of the core lecturers and clinical providers of the CEPT veterinary physiotherapy course.
Carol Ann enjoys walking and training (tricks and scentwork) her crossbreed dog Cleo. She also enjoys reading, photography and archery, including horseback archery.
​
Publications by Carol Ann:
Hercock CA et al. (2011) Observer variation in the evaluation and classification of severe central tarsal bone fractures in racing Greyhounds. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2011;24(3):215-22.
Hercock CA (2010) Specialisation for fast locomotion: performance, cost and risk. PhD Thesis
Hercock CA et al. (2009) Validation of a client-based clinical metrology instrument for the evaluation of canine elbow osteoarthritis. J Small Animal Practice Jun;50(6):266-71
Claire
Claire Foster (nee Richardson) BSc(Hons) CertSAHydro PGDip Vet Physio MSc Vet Physio; a fully insured and registered member of The National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since August 2020.
​
Claire has spent many years studying animal biology and rehabilitation. She gained her BSc in Animal Biology at Nottingham Trent University in 2010. She then went on to pursue her passion for animal rehabilitation by completing a PGDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Harper Adams University in 2014. Since then she she gained her Level 3 Small Animal Hydrotherapy Certificate and Accredited Clinical Educator (ACE) Certificate in 2019. And has recently finished her MSc Research Project investigating the effect of hydrotherapy on the behaviour and welfare of dogs in rehoming centres.
Claire has spent the last 5 years working as a Veterinary Physiotherapist and Hydrotherapist at Dogs Trust, which has provided her with extensive knowledge of canine behaviour and welfare, and experience working with a variety of breeds and conditions. She previously worked as a Canine Carer for the Dogs Trust and at boarding kennels and is confident working with some of the more nervous and anxious dogs. Prior to the Dogs Trust she spent a year at Dick White Referrals, where she expanded her knowledge and clinical skills working with orthopaedic and neurological patients.
Claire enjoys keeping active in her spare time, going for walks and training (scent work, tricks, enrichment) with her rescue Jack Russell Ruby, as well as running, swimming and baking.
​
Alys
Alys Rowley BSc (Hons) PGDip (Vet Physio) CertSAHydro is a fully insured and registered member of The National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) and Animal Health Practitioner Register (AHPR). She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since July 2022.
​
Alys achieved a first class degree in Psychology from the University of Southampton in 2015 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Writtle University in 2021.
She has also completed her Level 3 Small Animal Hydrotherapy Certificate at Writtle University and her Level 4 Hydrotherapy Certificate.
​
Alys has lots of experience to bring to our team having worked various roles within the veterinary industry, including jobs at Dick White Referrals where she worked as a neurology nursing assistant; Animates Vets where she worked as a physiotherapist and hydrotherapist; and self employed as a mobile veterinary physiotherapist. These roles have given her an in-depth knowledge on neurological and orthopaedic conditions; their surgical interventions and conservative management.
​
Alys enjoys her spare time walking her dogs and riding her horses, as well as drawing and swimming. Daisie and Rosie, her two mischievous dogs, go everywhere with her and can't wait for the next adventure.
​
​
Becky
Becky Harvey BSc (Hons) Vet Physio CertSAHydro is a fully insured and registered member of the The Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP). She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since October 2022.
​
Becky has spent four years studying for her BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Physiotherapy and she graduated from Harper Adams University in 2022. During this time, she completed a Honours research project investigating how the water levels in the treadmill during hydrotherapy influence canine heart rate.
​
She has also completed her Level 3 Small Animal Hydrotherapy Certificate.
​
Becky has worked in various areas of the animal sector and has experience with a wide range of species. She is especially passionate about small animal care and animal behaviour, and loves incorporating this into her work. She is looking forward to continuing to build her knowledge base, while working as part of the team at Valiant Veterinary Physiotherapy.
​
Becky enjoys spending her time creating; particularly drawing and sculpting, as well as relaxing with her rabbit Willow who has a habit of getting into mischief.
​
​
​
​
​
Gemma
![20210925_115050[302] (1).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fce697_5b87d1fb61ef4a068a9db8512befb50a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_317,y_0,w_1830,h_2464/fill/w_300,h_404,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20210925_115050%5B302%5D%20(1).jpg)
Gemma Reid BSc (Hons) PG Dip (Vet Physio) is a fully insured and registered member of the The Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP). She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since October 2021.
​
Gemma graduated with a BSc(Hons) in Animal Science from University of Nottingham in 2018. She immediately started working at MARS Petcare as a dog and cat trainer. When she worked at MARS she enjoyed incorporating various general conditioning exercises into the cats and dogs training programs, and became passionate about rehabilitation.
​
Gemma followed this passion and in September 2021 she started training for her PGDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the University of Nottingham. While studying for her PG Dip she has worked as an integral part of the Valiant Vet Physio team as a physiotherapy assistant gaining a wealth of knowledge in physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. In July 2023 she completed her PG Dip. Then she continued her studies at the University of Nottingham working towards her MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy which she completed in September 2024. ​
​
Gemma has a wealth of additional experience working with Animals having previously worked as a dog sitter/walker, been a volunteer at her local Dog’s Trust in Kent and taught horse riding at Camp America in Pennsylvania in 2017.
​
She enjoys horse riding, finding it a really good way to relax and she loves to learn. Her family have always owned cats and she now has one of her own, a Waltham retiree called Kalahari, who is deaf and arthritic but still manages to zoom around the garden and catch bees!
​
​
Charlotte
.jpg)
Charlotte Newberry BSc (Hons) Vet Physio is a fully insured and registered member of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Therapists (RAMP). She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since August 2022.
​​
Charlotte graduated with a Bsc in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Harper Adams University in Sept 2024.
​
During her Veterinary Physiotherapy course Charlotte spent a placement year with us working as a physiotherapy assistant to allow her to expand her knowledge of the industry and develop her physiotherapy skills. She then continued to work as a physiotherapy assistant during her holidays until she finished her course.
Charlotte has previously spent time gaining experience within the animal sector, having worked in a kennels and cattery, volunteered at a dog groomers and volunteered at a veterinary practice.
​
In her spare time Charlotte enjoys spending time with her pets including her three Dachshunds called Branwell, Preston and Hindley. She has also recently taken up horse riding which she really enjoys as it allows her to develop her skills with horses.
Justyna
Justyna Mucha BSc (Hons) Phys, BSc (Hons) Vet Phys, L3 Cert Canine Hydrotherapy is a fully insured and registered member of IRVAP. She has been a member of the Valiant Vet Physio team since January 2024.
Justyna studied human physiotherapy in her native country of Poland, during which she spent time volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia where she worked with various wild animal species and noticed in some of those animals orthopaedic and neurological conditions similar to ones that human experiences which inspired her to study veterinary physiotherapy. She returned to Poland to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Human Physiotherapy from The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland and graduated in July 2016.
​
Afterwards, she moved to the UK to study Veterinary Physiotherapy gaining her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Harper Adams University in July 2022. Her honours research project investigating the effect of dog positioning on range of motion of the elbow and hip joints in healthy dogs was presented at the 11th Symposium of the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy hosted by the University of Cambridge.
Justyna has previously worked as a trainee canine hydrotherapist at a small animal hydrotherapy centre in West Sussex and In September 2023 she completed her Level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy at K9HS.
She is looking forward to growing her knowledge and skill base at VVP.
Justyna enjoys being active and spending her spare time outdoors, especially enjoying cycling, hiking and skiing.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
​
​
Physiotherapist Assistants
Katie
Katie Davies is the latest addition to the Valiant Vet Physio team.
​
Katie is a student at Harper Adams University currently studying for her BSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She has joined us for her placement year to allow her to expand her knowledge of the industry and develop her physiotherapy skills.
​
She has previously spent time gaining experience withing the animal sector, having worked as a stable hand at Somerby Equestrian Centre, and as a park ranger at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm. She has also spent time volunteering at Pablos Horse Sanctuary and completing work experience at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray.
​
In her spare time Katie enjoys riding her loan horse called Toby, and spending time walking agility with her working Cocker Spaniels Nelly and George.
​​
​
​​​​​​​
​
​
​
​​​​​​​​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​