Supporting Veterinary & Animal Health Professionals
Practical advice, product research and mobility solutions to help you support your patients.
Let me help you find the right mobility and supportive-care solutions for your patients.
With over 30 years in veterinary nursing, I understand how busy veterinary practices can be.
I also know that finding the right mobility equipment or supportive-care product for an individual patient isn't always straightforward. There are so many options available, and researching them, comparing products and working out what might be most suitable can take time.
That's where I can help.
Through HandicappedPets Australia and Pets Need A Life Too!, I work with veterinary and animal health professionals to explore mobility, rehabilitation and enrichment options for their patients.
Sometimes the solution is straightforward. Other times it requires a little more investigation, contacting manufacturers or looking at alternatives that may not be readily available in Australia.
I'm happy to do that research for you.My aim is to provide you with practical information, suitable options and ongoing support, so you can concentrate on what you do best — looking after your patients.
And importantly, I don't just look at what an animal needs today. Wherever possible, I also consider how those needs might change in the future.
How Can I Help?
Finding the Right Equipment
Every animal is different, and what works well for one patient may not necessarily be suitable for another.
I can help you explore options for wheelchairs, mobility harnesses, braces, splints, rehabilitation equipment and other supportive-care products.
I'll consider the animal's size, condition, mobility, environment and individual needs, along with any recommendations from their treating veterinarian or rehabilitation professional.
Where possible, I also look at whether equipment can be adjusted or adapted as the animal's needs change.
Let Me Do the Research
Not every patient fits neatly into a standard product range.
Sometimes finding the right solution involves researching alternatives, contacting manufacturers, comparing products or investigating custom-made equipment.
I'm happy to do that legwork for you.I work with a range of Australian and international suppliers and can help investigate options that may not be readily available through traditional veterinary suppliers.
And if I don't know the answer straightaway, I'm more than happy to investigate.
Don't See What You're Looking For? Just Ask!
Although I carry a range of mobility and supportive-care products, I don't physically stock everything I can supply.
I work with a number of Australian and international suppliers and can often source products within a relatively short timeframe.
And if I don't have access to a particular product, I'm more than happy to investigate other options or try to find something suitable. Sometimes that means contacting manufacturers, researching alternative products or looking into custom-made solutions.
I can't promise I'll always find exactly what you're looking for, but I'm certainly happy to do the legwork and see what's available.
If you're looking for something specific, even if it's not listed on my website, please don't hesitate to ask.
Helping With Measurements, Fitting and Follow-Up
Choosing the right equipment is only part of the process.
I'm also happy to assist with measurements, sizing, fitting and adjustments to help ensure the equipment is suitable for the individual animal.
Depending on your location, this may involve photographs, videos, phone calls or video consultations. For local clients, in-person fitting assistance may also be available.
I can also work directly with your client where appropriate, helping them understand how to fit and use the equipment correctly.
And if something isn't quite right, I'm here to help work through it.
Looking Beyond Today's Needs
One thing I've always considered important is looking at an animal's future needs as well as their current situation.
For example, when recommending a wheelchair, I may suggest a model that can be adjusted or converted to provide additional support if required later.
That doesn't mean the animal will necessarily need that additional support. It's simply about considering the possibilities before making an investment in equipment.
Wherever practical, I like to help future-proof those decisions.
Of course, the most suitable option will always depend on the individual patient, their condition, and their treating veterinary team's recommendations.
More Than Just Dogs
Although dogs make up a large proportion of my mobility enquiries, my experience and product sourcing aren't limited to canine patients.
I've assisted with mobility and supportive-care solutions for cats and other companion animals, as well as animals such as sheep, goats and even a Lama.
Every species presents its own challenges, and sometimes finding a suitable solution requires a little creative thinking and research.
I'm always happy to discuss unusual cases.
Working Together for Your Patients
My role isn't to replace your clinical knowledge or recommendations.
It's to complement them with my experience in veterinary nursing, mobility equipment, rehabilitation support and enrichment, along with my knowledge of the products and suppliers available.
Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary nurse, animal physiotherapist, rehabilitation practitioner, hydrotherapist or another animal health professional, I'm happy to work alongside you.
You can contact me about an individual patient, discuss possible equipment options or simply ask whether something suitable might be available.
And if it would be easier for me to communicate directly with your client, I'm happy to do that too, with your involvement as appropriate.
Let's Find a Solution Together
If you have a patient who may benefit from mobility equipment, rehabilitation support or environmental enrichment, please feel free to get in touch.
You don't need to know exactly what product you're looking for.
Tell me a little about your patient, what you're hoping to achieve and any particular challenges you're facing, and we can explore the options together.
