Passionate then, passionate now…

When we started in 2011, our vision was simple: to create a unique veterinary rehabilitation service with excellence and quality at its heart… and to be recognised as one of the leading providers of veterinary rehabilitation services in the UK.

Today, nothing has changed – and we remain as passionate and dedicated as ever. Our mission is to treat each and every pet (and their owner) with the utmost care and compassion throughout the entire veterinary process. What else we focus on: minimising pain, and restoring the animals we treat to their maximum physical and mental wellbeing.

Every member of our team is committed and motivated to working together. To that end, we encourage excellent levels of communication and create a working environment which allows each team member to contribute to their full potential.

New centre, dedicated people

Based in beautiful rural Hertfordshire, the Davies Therapy and Fitness Centre opened in November 2016, and is an exciting new addition to our existing specialist veterinary services.

Our dedicated team of caring Chartered Physiotherapists, Hydrotherapists and Anaesthetists are here to provide help and support in the effective and speedy recovery of your pet after injury or surgery. They’ll work with your general practice vet and specialist where appropriate to provide all of your pet’s care under one roof.

Reception

Hydrotherapy suite

Therapeutic exercise area / gym

Consultation / treatment rooms

Meet our team

Sarah

Chartered Physiotherapist

Diane

Head of Physiotherapy
Chartered Physiotherapist

Louise

RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Fran

Head of Anaesthesia
RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Dionne

Therapy Assistant

Kim

Chartered Physiotherapist

Jade

Therapy Assistant

Sarah Conley, MCSP, HCPC, ACPAT Cat A, BSc Equine Science and Management, MSc(Pre-reg) Physiotherapy, PGDip Veterinary Physiotherapy, PGCE

Chartered Physiotherapist

Following five years lecturing in equine studies and then working as Assistant Head of Department for Further Education at Myerscough College in Lancashire, Sarah became a Chartered Human Physiotherapist in 2012. Since then, she has worked as a human physiotherapist in both acute and primary care settings, before specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. After completing a post graduate diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool, Sarah now works as a Veterinary Physiotherapist working with small animals at Davies Veterinary Specialists and freelance in equine practice.

 

Diane Messum, MCSP, HCPC, ACPAT Cat A, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy, RAMP

Head of Physiotherapy
Chartered Physiotherapist

Diane has been a Chartered Human Physiotherapist for over 14 years, qualifying from the University of Birmingham in 2002. She went on to specialise in musculoskeletal outpatients and hand therapy where she developed knowledge and skills that were key to her current practice within the small animal field. Diane completed her Masters Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2007, awarded by the Royal Veterinary College, London. Diane now leads a growing team of passionate individuals with diverse experiences from within physiotherapy and rehabilitation.    

Louise Clark, BVMS, CertVA, DipECVAA, MSc (Clinical Management of Pain), FRCVS

RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Louise is a European and RCVS-recognised Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She was awarded her Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2003 and moved to Davies Veterinary Specialists to Head the Anaesthesia team in 2007. In 2014, Louise was awarded an MSc (Distinction) in the Clinical Management of Pain from Edinburgh University. She is currently the Honorary Treasurer of the Pain Council at the Royal Society of Medicine, an invited examiner on the European Diploma examination and a past Treasurer of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists.    

Fran Downing, BVSc MSc DipECVAA MAcadMEd MRCVS

Head of Anaesthesia
RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

After graduating from Liverpool University in 2007, Fran spent two years working in a busy mixed practice in Lancashire. She then returned to Liverpool University to undertake an internship in small animal anaesthesia. Since then, Fran has completed a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia and spent time as a Lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. She joined the anaesthesia team at Davies in 2013, gaining her European Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia the same year. She became an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia in 2015 and was appointed Head of Anaesthesia in 2022.

Dionne Reay-Parish

Therapy Assistant

Kim Ainsworth, MCSP, ACPAT Cat A, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy

Chartered Physiotherapist

After graduating in physiotherapy from the Royal London Hospital in 1986 Kim spent 30 years in clinical, research and teaching human physiotherapy. She qualified in veterinary physiotherapy at Liverpool Veterinary School in 2015, continuing to complete a masters through research. Since then she has worked in small animal practice involving all areas of rehabilitation, especially with dogs who find clinical settings worrying and owners that want an individualised approach.

Jade Chandler, Animal Care Level 2 diploma

Therapy Assistant

Jade was previously a supervisor in Dog Daycare before joining Davies.