Wear One Of Few In UK To Offer Dedicated Osteoarthritis Treatment
2 years ago 
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The North East’s top specialist veterinary referral hospital has added to its services by becoming one of just a few in the UK able to offer specific rehabilitation treatment for osteoarthritis patients.
Lynne Burdis, a highly qualified and experienced veterinary hydrotherapist at Linnaeus-owned Wear Referrals, in Bradbury, County Durham, has recently succeeded in becoming a member of the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA).
Lynne, who joined Wear in October 2014, said her new qualification would help to boost the treatment Wear – which is one of just a few hospitals in the UK to offer hydrotherapy – can provide to it patients struggling with mobility and other effects of osteoarthritis (OA).
She explained: “We’re now one of a very small number of animal hospitals across the UK which is able to offer specific clinics for patients who suffer from OA.
“These specialised clinics will utilise the benefits of hydrotherapy and rehabilitation processes to help manage mobility and pain relief in affected animals.
“My VOA qualification shows I have undertaken extra training and studying, including knowledge assimilation, a final exam and continuous ongoing training in the subject of OA.
“It also illustrates that I am dedicated to the pursuit of OA management and rehabilitation for our patients and that I am qualified in establishing individual and unique rehabilitation programmes for each patient.”
'DEDICATION'
Darren Stubbs, hospital director at Wear, said Lynne’s qualification was a huge boost to the hospital’s patient offering, building on its existing hydrotherapy service.
He said: “The team here at Wear are delighted to see Lynne become a member of the VOA and it is reward for her hard work, dedication and excellence in the subject.
“It is also an important step forward for us, as the VOA recognition gives confidence to both pet owners and referring vets that we’re a veterinary practice and rehabilitation centre with a specific interest and expertise in the management of small animal patients who suffer from OA.”
The VOA’s mission statement explains why Lynne’s qualification is so important, saying: “Our primary effort and purpose is the creation of a platform to advance the management of osteoarthritis by developing theoretical and practical training opportunities, by providing access to the latest research, evidence and technologies and by the facilitation of a multi-professional collaboration to address and improve the results of disease management.”
Lynne holds the Advanced Diploma in Small Animal Hydrotherapy (Distinction) AdvDipSAHydro and is also a member of a number of professional bodies, including:
- MIRVAP(Assoc): Associate member of the Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists;
- MIRVAP(ICH) Member of the Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists;
- MIRVAP(MT) - Manual Therapist member; MCHA Member of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association;
- VOA(IA) Veterinary Osteoarthritis Association (Individual Member)
She qualified as a small animal hydrotherapist in 2006, initially gaining her small animal hydrotherapy diploma (DipSA Hydro).
In 2016, Lynne successfully gained an advanced diploma in small animal hydrotherapy, passing with distinction.
She has a special interest in canine bio-mechanics; small animal orthopaedics; small animal neurological/spinal rehabilitation and, having owned and worked dogs all of her life, she has first-hand experience of canine behaviour and skeletal disorders.
Wear specialises in providing expert multidisciplinary care, including oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, soft tissue, internal medicine, cardiology, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as an in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation service.
For more information on Wear, visit www.wear-referrals.co.uk or search for Wear Referrals on social media.
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