Continual professional development
Current events and services
Consultancy
Do you need advice on enclosure utilisation, design, training, enrichment or any aspect of management to help encourage and maintain physical health? Do you want to talk about how your animals current activity levels, management and behaviour may impact on its fitness and health, and how a holistic approach may benefit the animals in your care.
You can book an online consultation, to discuss topics of your choice.
Starting at £35 for an hour, with longer time slots available.
Book a free 15 minute consultation, to start talking about the animals in your care, or CPD opportunities for your organisation. This session will give me the opportunity to advice you on options, and what might be the best fit for you.
Book a guest speaker session, for your college, university or conference. I have over 7 years experience teaching to degree level, and have been a guest speaker at a variety of colleges, universities and conferences (Veterinary and Zoological). If you have specific requirements, feel free to email or arrange a free 15 minute call.
Consultancy
Guest speaker
*When you subscribe to this FREE webinar you will receive a ZOOM
link a week in advance of the webinar. Click here to register.
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal issues of varying aetiology are a common form of
pathology in zoo species, and standard protocols are used to treat
this in zoos. Some interventions are purely pharmaceutical and
. Is this enough, and if rehabilitation techniques are used, can those
from humans and domestic species be applied safely and effectively
to exotic species? Further, are our standard approaches to zoo (and
domestic) animal management and keeping causing some
musculoskeletal pathology?
This talk will cover the management of musculoskeletal and
neurological health in daily husbandry routines, as well as rehabilitative approaches for lameness and associated pathology. Additionally, and using evidence from zoos and from the literature, it outlines how rehabilitation/physiotherapy modalities could be altered to better fit the management of an exotic species, and how traditional approaches may be to the animal's detriment.
Topics:
- The importance of a holistic and full team approach when managing and treating lameness, considering numerous factors such as environment, behaviour, management, training....
- Can rehabilitation be applied safely within a zoo environment?
- What lessons can we learn from human health care?
See less
Zoospensefull webinar - Fully booked
Zoo professionals - Lameness webinar - 2020
I also very recently hosted a webinar on Lameness, predisposing factors and its management, which was attended by over 300 professionals from all over the world (vets, vet nurses, technicians, keepers and physiotherapists). We were able to raise £250 for the Komodo Survival Program
(a research and conservation
organisation in Indonesia),
who have been a great help
in my research.
Title: Lameness and rehabilitation: Are we setting off on the
right foot?
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal issues of varying aetiology are a common form of
pathology in zoo species, and standard protocols are used to treat
this in zoos. Some interventions are purely pharmaceutical and
surgical. Is this enough, and if rehabilitation techniques are used,
can those from humans and domestic species be applied safely
and effectively to exotic species? Further, are our standard
approaches to zoo animal management and keeping causing
some musculoskeletal pathology?
This talk will cover the management of musculoskeletal and
neurological health in daily husbandry routines, as well as
rehabilitative approaches for lameness and associated pathology.
Additionally, and using evidence from zoos and from the literature,
it outlines how rehabilitation/physiotherapy modalities could be altered to better fit the management of an exotic species, and how traditional approaches may be to the animal’s detriment.
Topics:
-
What management changes can be made to maintain health and recovery, in addition to (?) current practices, and how might they predispose animals to MSK pathology (examples of current enclosures for evaluation)?
-
How current rehabilitation might be altered for use with exotic species (examples from the literature)?
Annual BVZS conference - 2020
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Annual Reptile and Amphibians working group (BIAZA) conference - date TBC
I have been kindly invited to speak at the next RAWG symposium to present my research into Komodo dragon gait, and lameness. RAWG is an event for leading zoo professionals throughout Britain.
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Annual ABWAK conference
I have been kindly asked to speak at the next ABWAK symposium, this is an annual event attended by zoo professionals from Britain and Ireland, and showcases new techniques and information for exotic animal keepers.
Attendee testimonials
'Grateful to Matthew Shackleton for conducting a knowledgeable series of webinars on veterinary physiotherapy. It was a completely new concept for me to learn and explore.
About the webinars:
1. Being a student of MSc zoo conservation biology, this series helped me understand the various factors that need to be considered while designing an enclosure to avoid lameness and Gait in the captive animals, particularly the heavy-bodied ones.
2. The slides used in the presentation were neat and detailed reflecting the speaker's passion for the subject. He explained every bullet point and example thoroughly (explains why the webinars were fully booked) giving us a deeper insight into veterinary physiotherapy.
3. I wish this subject was a part of our Zoo Conservation unit (opportunity for collaborations Matthew! ) as it covers a major topic about how proper and ethical animal management plays an important role in their overall well being.
I encourage people to attend this webinar if he conducts the same again (I will surely share the link). Matthew Shackleton is a trained professional and also works with the Komodo Survival Program. If you wish to make a donation towards the KSP, then please find the link at the end of this post.
My favorite piece- "Behavioural and environmental interventions".'
- Gargi. R - Conservation researcher