The Story behind Senior Paws: A journey of connection, compassion and cherishing senior dogs
April 18, 2024
Did you know that pets can benefit from physical therapy just like humans? Can senior dogs regain their mobility through physical therapy?
In this feature, we interviewed Deirdre Duggan, founder of Pet Paws Physio, exploring her journey becoming a veterinary nurse to establishing Pet Paws Physio, a Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy centre in East Cork.
Deirdre Duggan
From Veterinary Nursing to Canine Rehabilitation
Upon arriving at Pet Paws Physio, situated in picturesque rural Ireland, we were greeted by a warm ambiance. The space was comfy and decorated with a modern non-slip mat and an array of equipment for dog physical therapy. Founder Deirdre Duggan began sharing her story of pursuing her dream, while her companion, Ernie, a gentle 15-year-old dog, quietly added to the welcoming atmosphere.
This center, dedicated to Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, is a testament to Deirdre's passion and commitment. Here, she not only spends quality time with her family and cherished older dogs but also applies her more than 20 years of expertise in veterinary nursing and pet physical therapy to the fullest.
Deirdre's path into the world of veterinary care was paved early on, as she observed her father, a large animal veterinarian from South Kerry. Despite recognizing the challenges and risks involved, Deirdre's affection for animals, particularly small ones, remained steadfast.
I always knew I kind of wanted to work with animals, I used to be out testing cattle with my father, I think he could foresee that the veterinary life, is hard. People romanticize it, but it's actually very emotional, tiring and stressful. He even broke his collarbone once. It can be really dangerous as well.”
Although her father initially opposed her pursuit of a career as a veterinary nurse, concerned about the hardships she might endure, he eventually became moved by her determination and wholeheartedly supported her decision.
As she embarked on her profession, qualifying through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 2001,and worked in various practices in Dublin, Cork, and Australia, also serving as head veterinary nurse in a small animal hospital in Cork City. It was during this time that she started noticing many of the older dogs she had known for years coming in for visits, exhibiting slower movements and signs of pain. Despite veterinary examinations and medication, some dogs' conditions continued to worsen, sparking her curiosity.
I could see all these older dogs coming in and deteriorating, and I just thought, is that it? That you just deteriorate and then you die? I just didn't want that for my dogs. That was really the catalyst for motivating me to follow my curiosity."
Especially, her two little Jack Russell terriers, Fia and Drew, became an important part of her life, witnessing their journey from youth to adulthood and eventually old age. This experience motivated her to do everything she could to maintain the quality of life for senior dogs.
When Deirdre contemplated alternative approaches to improving mobility in pets besides traditional medication, she experienced a serendipitous sequence of events. She stumbled upon an article about veterinary physiotherapy in the BVNA (British Veterinary Nursing Association) Journal, which served as her "Aha moment," realizing that this could be the answer to helping the older dogs she had been observing.
Simultaneously, she received a phone call from, Shane Guerin, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in soft tissue surgery with Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital, whom she also worked with before. He invited Deirdre to set up a physiotherapy department for Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital's, which included an inpatient and outpatient referral service and hydrotherapy service. Back in 2009,pet physiotherapy wasn't a common practice in Ireland. There were only a handful of individuals delving into it, with limited resources available locally.Deirdre took the initiative to introduce physiotherapy services to Gilabbey.
He asked me, 'Would I have an interest in coming back?' And I said, 'I absolutely, one million percent would, if they would support me in pursuing my career in physiotherapy.' And he said, 'Absolutely, 100%.' He was very, very supportive!"
Her journey into veterinary physiotherapy began with practical Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in the UK gradually expanding into formal qualifications. Initially, she explored various aspects of physiotherapy and canine physiotherapy before specializing in hydrotherapy, obtaining her certification from Canine Hydro Services in Suffolk.
During a CPD course, Deirdre had the opportunity to meet Barbara Houlding, a leading small animal veterinary physiotherapist and an expert in canine hydrotherapy. Barbara also served as the co-director of the Small Animal Rehabilitation Therapy Course at the University of Nottingham. Motivated by Barbara's expertise, Deirdre pursued hydrotherapy training while also assisting in establishing a hydrotherapy pool at Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital.
“I did her hydrotherapy course first, and at the same time. We put in a pool into Gallaby. So I was working in the canine hydrotherapy pool, which is a fabulous modality to work with for all dogs. The biggest thing that I learned from the whole thing was you're never done learning.”
In order to acquire more knowledge in pet rehabilitation, Deirdre participated in more than three different hydrotherapy courses and successfully completed her postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Rehabilitation Therapy at the University of Nottingham, under the guidance of Barbara Houlding. This comprehensive program involved regular practical sessions alongside online learning, a commitment she balanced alongside her professional responsibilities. However, the learning journey wasn't without its challenges.
"It was intense, really, really intense, but I absolutely loved it. It was very rewarding. With the hydrotherapy course, we had exams every module. Then, with the post-grad, we had assignments to hand in, along with written and practical exams. In these exams, we were given different scenarios that we had to address, answer all questions, and even demonstrate exercises. Surprisingly, I actually came first in my class."
Despite the rigorous demands, her dedication and perseverance led to significant achievements, establishing her as a prominent figure in veterinary physiotherapy. Through her continuous efforts and collaboration with the veterinary team, she accumulated invaluable experience, working with patients facing a spectrum of ailments, including orthopaedic, neurological, medical, and behavioral issues that impacted movement and function. In 2018, she received a nomination for the Companion Animal Person of the Year award, securing the position of runner-up.
“I was always so excited to go to work. I just loved working with all the different patients and learning. Every day was such a wonderful learning experience.”
Looking back on her effort put into the animal’s care as physiotherapist and rehabilitation therapist, she finds great comfort in witnessing the restored mobility of the dogs she has helped, particularly those with especially challenging circumstance.
One such memorable success story is that of Harry, a Corgi, who presented with a grade 4 spinal injury, disc protrusion, and IVDD. Harry underwent spinal surgery, specifically a hemilaminectomy, to remove the problematic disc material. However, following the surgery, Harry faced a significant set back as he was unable to walk for six weeks. He lacked motivation and appeared almost depressed. Determined to help him, she customized a comprehensive rehabilitation program, combining physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions.
Despite the initial hurdles, Harry's owner remained committed, bringing him in for therapy sessions two to three times a week. Remarkably, after six weeks, Harry began to walk again, marking the beginning of his incredible recovery. With time, he continued to progress, eventually regaining full mobility.
I learned so much from him and even years later his owners used to call me out to the front desk to say hi to Harry, and they were still saying ‘we're so grateful for what you did’ which was so lovely.”
The Incredible Journey of Entrepreneurship
In 2020, amidst various life changes, she made the courageous decision to step away from her career before the Covid-19 lockdown was announced. Instead, she chose to stay at home, in company with her family, including her three aging furry family members. However, leaving behind the familiar environment of the clinic, where she felt content and fulfilled, was a tough adjustment.
When I was in my area in the hospital, I felt really happy with lovely patients, and clients. I left and I was really sad to leave, but I really knew deep down it was the right thing to do. I was thinking, am I going to be a stay-at-home mom now, maybe this is it forever.”
Surprisingly, fate had other plans. A friend and veterinarian, Lisa McAuliffe, approached her with a request for physiotherapy services for a client in need. It changed everything.
I think I lost a lot of confidence. It seems crazy now looking back, but really, a lot of those things are yourself listening to that doubting voice. You’re stopping yourself from progressing. So I saw that one client. The minute I saw the client, I was like, oh my God, how can I not do this? So that was the start.”
This single encounter marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Through a series of serendipitous events, opportunities arose, including renting a room at a local doggy daycare for her working studio, and led to Pet Paws Physio being established in the same year. Despite facing setbacks like losing the space and navigating through various locations, she persevered, eventually establishing her own practice from her own home.
This allowed her to fully utilize her time, applying her physical therapy skills to serve more elderly dogs. As the owner of three aging furry companions, she also cherished the opportunity to spend quality time with them. Though Drew and Fia passed away in 2021 and 2022 respectively, only Ernie by her side right now, she feels immensely grateful for the time she had with them.
I was privileged enough that I could work from home. It's really handy with Ernie too. I can be with him in between clients, be with my children and go to work, then do some treatments. I just feel so blessed that I had the time with them, and that I was able to put in that time with them.”
After listening to Deirdre's inspiring journey of establishing Pet Paws Physio.We also noticed that on the walls of the studio, numerous photos of dogs who had received treatment from Deirdre hung alongside heartfelt messages from their owners.
Although some having passed away, including the photos of her beloved dogs Drew and Fia, they continued to hold a special place in Deirdre Duggan's heart, serving as a testament to the profound impact she has had on countless furry companions and their devoted humans.
Stay tuned for the future installment, where we delve deeper into common pet physical therapy practices, sharing professional insights and tips from Deirdre on how to care for senior dogs. We'll explore the precautions pet owners should take to prevent mobility issues in their furry companions' later years, along with home-based physical therapy techniques you can implement. Don't forget to follow Senior Paws for more insightful articles!
