About Theravet
Theravet was established in 2000 and has been in its current home for the last 7 years. Theravet has grown over the last 20 years in its reputation for offering the very best in veterinary rehabilitation and has become of one the largest and most comprehensive stand-alone practices in the UK, whilst maintaining a very personal and gently focused service. All of the staff at Theravet are fully qualified with many years’ experience in their fields and all are registered with industry recognised professional bodies. Not only that, but all the staff are dog owners and/or horse riders themselves so they don’t just become involved on a professional level – every member of staff is invested in your animal at a very heartfelt level. We are a team who really care.
Take A Look Around
Based in the idyllic and peaceful surroundings of Chipperfield, Hertfordshire, the practice is within easy reach of the M25, M1, M4, M3 and A41 and lends itself perfectly to the rehabilitation and recovery of animals. Theravet work very closely with referring Veterinary Surgeons, Specialist Referral Centres and Owners.
To start a patient attendance there are a few steps to follow. All animals are treated only with the consent of your veterinary surgeon, but owner led enquiries are welcome and we will do the rest to ensure a correct and well supported referral process. If you are an owner please feel free to call us, discuss your pet and register and we will then make contact with your veterinary surgeon. For veterinary surgeons who wish to refer, please just give us a call, send us an email or download and send the consent form which can be emailed with any relevant history. At Theravet we strongly believe in a multi-disciplinary approach, so whatever your choice of treatment we will keep in contact with the primary and/or referral vet and ensure they are kept informed of the treatment plan and progress.
Theravet has worked with a wide range of animals from elderly pets to working and service dogs, children’s ponies to royal racehorses, companion dogs to GB team Agility dogs. We also treat farm animals, cats and domestic furries – year on year we do our very best for your very best friends.
Our equine service is provided on a mobile basis.
Over the last 10 years Theravet has built a reputation for excellence in the South, servicing clients across the spectrum from charity work to royal racehorses and taking referrals from as far afield as Europe and the USA.
All our staff are chosen for their professionalism, experience and personal skills, but importantly also for their love and dedication to your pets. We recognise that peoples pets are very much part of the family and as such, our care and thought for your pet is an essential part of what makes our team excel.
Meet The Team
Emma Craigie Halkett
Veterinary Physiotherapist & Partner
BA(Hons) PG Dip AMM MA Adv Cert Veterinary Physiotherapist. IRVAP.
Emma graduated in 1998 and in 2000 set up her first Veterinary Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy Centre in Hampshire as Theravet. This built up a successful reputation and in 2013 she sold her Hampshire Practice to a colleague and moved Theravet to its new purpose built home in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire where Emma had previously grown up. During her post grad years Emma went on to do specialist post graduate qualifications in both McTimoney manipulation and Veterinary Physiotherapy gaining a high-level Distinction. Emma has also written a number of articles for veterinary publications, has appeared on veterinary radio phone ins and participated in ongoing research. Emma is the physiotherapist for members of the GB agility squad and has treated sports horses to a high level. Her interests lie in Canine Sports and Working dogs and in post-operative spinal and orthopaedic cases. Her equine experience covers elite performance horses to retired family ponies. Emma also lectures on clinic days for the Veterinary Physiotherapy Degree at BCA.
Emma is a proud working mummy and lives locally in the village. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, climbing and riding. Em used to own a Weimeraner and Hanoverian x Warmblood, now both sadly gone but both of whom helped shape her love of animals.
Jennifer Lucas
Veterinary Physiotherapist
BSc Hons Adv Cert Vet Phys MIRVAP AHPR
Jennifer has always had an interest in animals and gained a First Class BSc(Hons) in Animal Biology in 2014. Jennifer’s dissertation focused on the kinematics involved when agility dogs jump over hurdles and it was this study that sparked her interest in canine kinematics, injury and rehabilitation. From this, Jennifer went on to complete her Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Physiotherapy through CEP Training in 2017. She is currently undertaking a Level 3 Certificate in Hydrotherapy.
Jennifer is a member of IRVAP and is registered on the Animal Health Professions’ Register (AHPR).
Ellen Lindfield
Veterinary Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) NAVP
Ellen graduated from Harper Adams University with a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Physiotherapy and she is a member of the NAVP. Her love for animals started from a young age, growing up horse riding and spending time on my Grandfather's farm; it was then She knew she wanted a career with animals! This combined with her interest in biology and anatomy led her to pursue veterinary physiotherapy. Throughout her studies she developed an interest in hydrotherapy and is looking forward to continuing this with the team at Theravet. Outside of work she loves spending time with friends and family and will often be found with my miniature daschund Flynn, and her family's greyhounds Max and Lola!
Emma Hedderson
Veterinary Acupuncturist
BSc MA VetMB MRCVS
Having had a life-long passion for animals, Emma initially gained a first-class BSc honours degree in Equine Science at Wye, Imperial College before going on to Cambridge University where she graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2008.
After Graduating she worked in full time Equine Veterinary Practice for 4 years before having her daughter Lucy.
Emma had a keen interest in complimentary treatments as well as conventional medicine since she rescued 2 geriatric dogs 14 years ago. They both had several medical disorders which were unresponsive or contraindicative to drug medication, so she began to explore other avenues of treatment for them.
Her current Lurcher is unable to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but as an elderly boy is suffering with arthritis and other geriatric concerns. As Emma explored ways to help him she discovered acupuncture through a veterinary colleague.
Emmy Figg
Veterinary Hydrotherapist
BSc
Emmy has a huge passion for working with dogs and helping give them the best life possible. Aside from her Hydrotherapy qualification, Emmy additionally holds a Canine Massage qualification and runs our patient and post competition massage clinics. When not at work, Emmy competes in Agility around the UK and has competed at Crufts 8 years in a row. Due to this she has a specialist interest in Canine Sports Medicine and Conditioning.
Eleanor Lovejoy
Hydrotherapist and Massage Therapist
BSc (Hons) ICH
Eleanor has always had an affinity with dogs, her dream career always involved wanting to help animals, quickly finding a passion for animal rehabilitation. Following graduating her BSc(hons) degree in canine hydrotherapy and massage she has definitely got her dream career off to the perfect start!
She enjoys all rehabilitation cases from neurological to fitness and conditioning, seeing the benefits therapy can bring to our clients wellbeing, comfort and mobility is most important to her.
Megan Barnard
Hyrotherapist and Massage Therapist
BSc ICH
Megan has a real love for dogs and has wanted to pursue a career in hydrotherapy since she was 15. Having studied a BSc Hons Canine Therapy degree at Writtle University College from 2019 to 2022 she gained many skills, and qualified as a Hydrotherapist and Massage Therapist. Her dissertation focused on how hydrotherapy helps recovery of CCL injuries. she is very focused on how the effects of hydrotherapy can be utilised for recovery. She Has a passion for learning and have continued with advanced level studies into Level 4 Hydrotherapy. She takes pride in her work and is excited for her future in the team.
Harriet Birdsey
Veterinary Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) Adv Cert Vet Phys MIRVAP
Harriet graduated from Hartpury College in 2014 with a degree in Equine Management (BSc Hons). She then went on to complete the ‘Canine and Equine Physiotherapy Training Course’ accredited by Middlesex University. Graduating from this in 2016, she became fully qualified veterinary physiotherapist and a member of IRVAP, joining our team in September 2016.
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