About Us

Therapaws

At Therapaws Canine Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation Centre in Bracknell, we believe the health both physical and mental of your dogs is of the utmost importance. Our staff are dedicated to providing a stress free, safe and friendly environment for your dog to aid in a quick recovery and fitness.

Pool

Our pool is 2.1m x 3.8m and it has platforms at different heights to accommodate for different sized dogs.  In the pool, the dog is completely non-weightbearing and the dog is able to swim more freely with the ability to turn, promoting increase in range of movement.

The hydrostatic pressure of the water combined with the water temperature of 29-31°C offers:

• Relief from pain, swelling and stiffness
• Muscle relaxation
• Improved circulation

Underwater Treadmill

Our underwater treadmill is made by HydroPhysio, therefore, it is able to accommodate larger breeds as well as small breeds. It has several features which optimise the treatment we can offer our patient, including side platforms so that our hydrotherapists can be hands on to correct gait and it has doors at either end so the dog does not have to turn around to exit the treadmill. The water height can be adjusted to increase or decrease weightbearing and the speed, incline and duration can be altered to achieve the optimal gait pattern. The treadmill allows for early rehabilitation for spinal injury or surgery patients. The treadmill is useful for straight line movement, and so is particularly beneficial for spinal patients as the spine can be kept in a neutral position. We are able to observe and film from all sides.

Staff

Di Martin
Owner

Di Martin is the Business Owner of Therapaws, she established this in 2006 alongside her dog training company Click-2-Heel. Being involved in competitive sports and having had dogs with injuries she is passion about ensuring dogs receive top quality treatment to ensure they are fit and comfortable and free from subtle injuries which overtime can cause pain and discomfort. Dogs are so good at hiding minor issues and Di is passionate about ensure dogs are fit and pain free to live life to the full.

Di Martin has more than 30 years of experience training puppies, dogs, and their owners. Di’s passion is for clients to experience the unique relationship she has with her own dogs and strives to find methods that will inspire everyone. She is often invited as a guest presenter and trainer at obedience and dog training clubs across the UK and Europe. Her science background has driven her to gain a full understanding of the leaning theory and science of modern dog training, cracking the code of how dogs think, feel, and learn. She strives to help owners connect better with their dogs, providing face-to-face training along with ground-breaking online video, pictorial, and written materials to support all human learning styles. She is a prominent figure in dog sports, running seminars internationally to help like-minded people develop their understanding of canine behaviour and training. She is a championship judge and handler, winning Crufts herself with Obedience Champion Colliewood Candy Girl in 2011. Di is an advanced instructor under the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme and a certified Behavioural Adjustment Training (BAT) instructor for aggression and anxiety-based behaviour. She has great experience in solving behavioural problems and works with clients to put in place practical step by step approaches to resolving complex issues. Di combines this with general confidence building, advanced handling techniques as well as interactive training games to ensure dogs have the best programme of development. She has helped tens of thousands of dogs and their owners to build better relationships and meet their training goals, be it for family dogs, working dogs, therapy dogs or competitive sport dogs.

Hollie Essex
Hydrotherapist

Hollie started at Therapaws doing work experience in October 2020, and then went on to complete her Level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy at Animal Jobs Direct in May 2021. She has also recently completed her Level 3 Advanced Treadmill techniques course. Hollie has always been around dogs, helping with dog training and training her own dogs, so is very passionate to help other dogs, which encouraged her to follow a career in canine hydrotherapy. In her spare time, she likes horse riding, cars, and spending time with her friends.

Amelia Deakin
Hydrotherapist

Amelia joined Therapaws in November 2022, after qualifying with a Level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy from Greyfriars Rehabilitation Centre. She has been around animals since a child, with currently having 3 rescue dogs of her own: Polar; a mix breed of Staffordshire and English bull terrier, Nellie; a Cavachon and Ivy a Cavapoo. She first found her interest in the industry through Polar, who has been undertaking hydrotherapy and other therapeutic techniques for the past 6 years, to control her osteoarthritis, which has transformed her quality of life for the better. In the future, Amelia wishes to advance on her knowledge and look into other rehabilitation techniques including: massage, laser therapy and acupuncture. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, walking, fitness classes and being outdoors.

Nicole Skyrme
MNAVP Veterinary Physiotherapist & Hydrotherapist

Nicole started working part-time at Therapaws in January 2023 as a canine hydrotherapist and physiotherapist. She qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist in August 2022 with a postgraduate diploma and is currently undertaking her final research year to gain her Master’s in veterinary physiotherapy. She has completed her Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy for Veterinary Physiotherapists including applied water treadmill techniques, at Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre, which enables her to perform treatment in both the hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill. She has her own business as a self-employed veterinary physiotherapist, treating both horses and dogs. Nicole has spent practically her whole life around animals, which is largely the reason for her academic and professional interest in horses and dogs and being passionate about following a career in animal rehabilitation. At her family home, she has always lived with dogs, cats and has been fortunate to have her own horses since a young age with sheep most recently joining the family in 2019. She has her own dogs, which include a teacup Chihuahua called Titan, Miniature Pinscher x Pomeranian called Tilly and a Labrador x Collie rescue called Bobbi. Her spare time is largely spent out riding, looking after and competing her horses, as well as spending time with the dogs, taking them on walks and spending time with her friends, boyfriend, and family.

Sally Medcalf

ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist

I am a Chartered Physiotherapist and graduate of the Royal Veterinary College with a MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy. My mission is to provides excellence in physiotherapy through a holistic and caring approach, and to support owners to be fully involved with their animal’s treatment and management, so they can enjoy a long and happy life together. I have a special interest in the management of sports dogs, but also love treating the oldies, who have such serenity about themselves. Whether your pets are canine athletes, or much loved companions, you can be assured they will all be treated with care, respect and their compliance. I am committed to a multi-disciplinary approach and enjoy working closely with the team at Therapaws to provide the best possible treatment programme for your pet.

Kirstie McCracken
Administrator & Student Hydrotherapist

Kirstie started working at Therapaws in September 2021. She is currently working towards her Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Hydrotherapy. She has had dogs all her life and so has a good understanding of reading dogs body language and their likes and dislikes. Kirstie has been riding horses since the age of 10 and had owned her own horses for over 8 years, where she competed in equine sports events. She was inspired by Di Martin during 1-1 training to start the hydrotherapy course and work at Therapaws. She is a mum of 3 children and 4 dogs, so most of her time is spent with them. She also enjoys training her Standard poodles. Kirstie is also part of the Click2heel dog training team and is currently working 3 evenings a week at puppy and ELS classes. Alongside studying for her hydrotherapy qualification Kirstie is also in the process of completing the MARKA dog training course and has taken part in the 3 day in person training.

Tina Rose
Administrator

Tina joined Therapaws in 2019 to provide administrative support. In her spare time, she enjoys training and competing with her dogs and studying dog-related courses.