Welcome to the first blog of ‘The Animal Physiotherapist’. This will be a place for sharing knowledge, experience, and passion for animals to help them live healthier and happier lives through specialised care and physiotherapy. This blog will serve as a valuable and helpful resource for pet parents, veterinarians and animal lovers seeking information on how physiotherapy can enhance quality of life for their beloved pets. Starting a blog has been on the ‘to-do list’ for a while but never quite made it to the top of the list. There were always other things to do, other priorities and the tendency to get round to it ‘later’. The trouble with ‘later’ is that it often never comes! Launching the blog became a goal for 2024!
This brings us on to goal setting. Traditionally, we are encouraged to make ‘new year resolutions’ at the end of December. In Scotland, this is the darkest month of the year and we have often overindulged in winter festivities – not the easiest circumstances to stay motivated for keeping any well-intentioned resolutions. As the first signs of Spring begin to appear and the hours of daylight get noticeably longer, I find this a better time to make resolutions and goals for the year. The arrival of Spring with nature sprouting the first shoots and buds is a welcome symbol of new beginnings and regrowth. As nature blooms around us and the days get longer, there is a sense of rejuvenation and energy that can help us to renew our aspirations and goals.
Part of the Physiotherapist’s role for any patient (human or animal) is to set goals for treatment or rehab. The principles of goal setting and how to set yourself up for success can be applied to many aspects of life where you want to achieve something. For your dog, it may be that you would like to go for longer walks or move up a grade in agility. For your horse it may be that you would like to try a new discipline, progress in eventing or have a summer of happy hacking. Maybe your cat has been housebound due to injury and you would like them to be able to adventure outside again.
Here is an example structure of how to get the most out of goal setting and
setting yourself up for success. I have used physiotherapy goal setting as an
example, but you can adapt the steps to your own requirements.
- Assess Your Current Situation: Begin by evaluating your current condition
and identifying areas that require attention. Consider any limitations, pain, or
discomfort you may be experiencing. This self-assessment will help you set
realistic and achievable goals. - Define SMART Goals: SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, and Time-bound. When setting your goals, make sure they are
specific to your needs, measurable so that progress can be tracked, achievable
within your capabilities, relevant/realistic to your overall well-being, and time-
bound to provide a sense of urgency. - Break It Down: Large goals can be overwhelming, so break them down into
smaller, manageable steps. This approach allows you to celebrate milestones
along the way and stay motivated throughout the process. - Seek Professional Guidance: Consult with a qualified physiotherapist who
can assess your condition, provide expert advice, and help you set realistic
goals tailored to your individual needs. They will guide you through
appropriate exercises, techniques, and strategies to achieve your desired
outcomes. For non-physiotherapy related goals, is there someone else who
can help you if necessary? - Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your physiotherapy sessions,
exercises, and any improvements you notice. Regularly reviewing your
progress will not only help you stay motivated but also allow you to make
necessary adjustments to your goals and treatment plan.
The SMART principles as applied to my goal of launching this blog were
Specific – Launch first blog post
Measureable – Have the blog post written and put on website
Achieveable – Make time to write, have list of topics
Realistic / Relevant – Write about topics I am familiar with
Time – Have first blog ready before distribution of February newsletter
And there we have it, the first blog ready for the newsletter and an example of
goal setting in action! Now I can get on and set goals for my dog, Ivy. Now it’s
your turn. What are your goals for you and your animal companions? Please do
get in touch if you would like help with this.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling year ahead!