Author: Emma Ruggles, RVN, CertVNECC, APVN (Wildlife and Zoo Animals), L3CertSAHydro, MIRVAP (ICH)

ABSTRACT As a career, veterinary nursing offers many opportunities for development, diversification and specialisation, in areas ranging from small animals and exotics to emergency and critical care, surgical nursing and rehabilitation. In this article, the author reflects on her career path as a veterinary nurse, which also led her to qualify as a small animal hydrotherapist – a role she has found particularly enlightening and rewarding. The author is keen to make other veterinary nurses aware of the benefits of career development and diversification by sharing her experience. As well as reflecting on her own career journey, she provides an insight into working in the field of patient rehabilitation through a hydrotherapy case study involving a 4-year-old dog with forelimb lameness.
Keywords hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, veterinary nursing, career diversification

To cite this article: Ruggles, E. (2023) Alongside a career as a veterinary nurse – the road to patient rehabilitation. VNJ 38(5) pp 25-31.

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