A Comprehensive Approach to Health & Rehabilitation

Incorporating physiotherapy, behaviour and environmental management for long term results, for all animals.

Care

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Who are we?

Your animal’s best movement starts here

Matthew and Louise Shackleton are Chester-based Veterinary Physiotherapists offering a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and the prevention of mobility and neurological issues. We partner with you and your veterinary team to ensure the best results for your animal.

🐕 For Pets (Chester and surrounding areas)

If your pet is struggling with movement, stiffness, or pain, we can help.

We are a fully mobile service and primarily treat dogs, cats, and rabbits (plus other pets) in and around Chester. Treating pets in their familiar home environment is key to keeping animals happier and minimising stress during therapy. The foundation of our treatment is tailored exercise prescription, empowering you to actively support your pet’s recovery. This is combined with essential guidance on environmental and husbandry adjustments. We use hands-on (manual) treatment and electrotherapies (such as laser), to support your pet’s recovery.

🦒 Specialist & Exotic Animal Expertise

Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy offers a unique level of expertise, reinforced by our extensive background, zoo industry memberships, and status as published authors (contributing a scientific book chapter on physiotherapy for ageing zoo animals).

We are some of the few Veterinary Physiotherapists insured and uniquely qualified to treat exotic and zoo species, providing specialist rehabilitation and prevention services to zoos and private owners nationally and internationally.

We use this high-level knowledge to provide CPD, workshops, and talks for veterinary and zoological professionals worldwide.”

Highly Qualified

Experienced

Vet Recommended

Complete Support

The services we offer

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Treatment and assessment of dogs, cats, pet exotics and small animals.

Zoo consultancy and Physiotherapy

Full assessment of environment, behaviour and activity for treatment and prevention.

CPD and training

Training for zookeepers and veterinary professionals.

Book A Free Consultation Call

Professional memberships

Who we have worked with

Happy Clients

Sally Kemp

We can’t thank Matthew enough for his support and advice with our 3 year old dog and her sciatica. Matthew is supportive and very caring remaining in touch between sessions, this offers reassurance and clarity to keep on track. The rehabilitation programme provides holistic support, with advice and guidance not only for Rosie but also environment factors in the home and how and where she walks. The programme helped us to measure Rosie’s progress and make adjustments with practical solutions offered at each session. Having access to the online video information has been really helpful. They are informative and clear offering extra reassurance. The programme, has offered us a step by step approach backed up by Matthew’s extensive knowledge and support for which we are grateful.

Louise Murtagh

Olive's agility trainer guessed that she had a couple of problems and suggested her being checked out by a physio. Within 10 minutes of arriving Matthew diagnosed the issues and we started our rehabilitation programme. A couple of months in and she's made such good progress. She's acting like a giddy puppy in the training arena and it looks like her pain has subsided. Can't wait to start strengthening exercises soon.

Mallyfairclough Mally22

12 weeks ago we thought our dog would never walk again after a spinal stroke, now he is walking on his lead and running round the garden. Matthew was recommended to us by a friend and his guidence and advice has been the catalist for Stans recovery. Matthew has provided a physio schedule for Stan that had delivered results that we didnt dream possible and his friendly and polite manner is second to none. I would highly recommend Matthews physio services to anybody who has a loved pet that is struggling with mobility.

Lisa Lisa

Absolutely fantastic. The work both Matt and Louise have done with my dogs is outstanding. It’s rare to find people truly passionate about what they do and they genuinely care about their clients. I can’t thank them enough for the continued support for Toby koda and Rosie and I’m sure the others will have their turn too. I truly can’t recommend Shackleton veterinary physiotherapy enough.

aimee hodge

Delightful man, with a wonderful work ethic got my pup back on his feet after a cruciate ligament injury 100% recommend the Shackleton's for pet care! Thank you Matthew! 🙂

Paul Gomersall

Our 12 year old Labrador was recently diagnosed with Diabetes. As a result he was unable to move any distance and also without great discomfort. At the recommendation of our vet, we contacted Matt (Shackleton Physio) The change and progress our dog has made since Matt has been treating him is amazing and he is making a great recovery, now being mobile and much more comfortable. Matt is very experienced, knowledgeable and professional. He has a great manner with both pets and owners and explains everything very clearly, putting everyone at their ease. I would have no hesitation in recommending Matt to anyone with pet Physio requirements.

Suzanne Nimmo

Matt and Louise are fabulous and can’t thank them enough for their help and expertise with our beagle, Barney. The knowledge they have is impeccable and they teach you how to do physiotherapy exercises easily at home, with everyday items. The sessions are in-depth, easy to understand and they really get to know your pet. You can see the passion and dedication for their work from the moment you meet them. We definitely recommend them for all your pets physiotherapy needs!

Dave Marshall

Our beloved Cocker Spaniel ruptured her cruciate ligament in November 21 and she underwent reconstructive surgery with Medivet Heswall. Sharon the vet recommended that we have physiotherapy for her and I was sceptical that it would help. Matthew came and worked with her (and us) for a number of months. We followed his advice and my scepticism has been proved totally wrong. She is now 9 months post op and is as lively and full of fun as she was pre-op. She manages good walks and is able to run with her new best pal an 8 year old Beagle. We do take care that she does not over do things but without doubt she would not be able to the things she does now without the absolute expertise of Matthew. I think we tend to believe that animals will recover without human intervention but I am now sure that this is not the case. Without Matthew’s assistance advice treatment and guidance I am sure she would have a limp and be a very unhappy dog. I honestly cannot recommend Matthew highly enough. Our thanks don’t seem enough for giving us our girl back!

Glyn

We have been with Matthew for a year now and have seen a great improvement in our dog Sooty. He has gone from hopping to being very strong and comfortable which has been a joy to see. Matthew is very caring and explains all of the exercises. We highly recommend him and couldn't thank him enough for his help

Nicola Williams

Shackleton veterinary physiotherapy provided the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Cattery with some fantastic CPD and also provided us with extremely valuable advice on some of the cats within our care. Matthew has a very holistic approach to his treatments and ensures that the client fully understands the exercises that are implemented and the theory behind each intervention.

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