Our Services

Helping keep animals pain free, from the comfort of their home

Veterinary Pain Management


A young woman with long red hair wears scrubs, while smiling at her laptop, sitting at a table with a man, coffee mugs in a kitchen doing a veterinary consultation
A young woman with long red hair wears scrubs, while smiling at her laptop, sitting at a table with a man, coffee mugs in a kitchen doing a veterinary consultation

Identification of pain is the greatest barrier to effective management.

Our animals cannot tell us where, when and how much something hurts… or can they?

Pain assessment requires a behaviourally informed approach which is why assessing animals in their home environment, without the stress of a journey and vet practice is vital to see what they are trying to communicate.

Through pain scoring and behavioural evaluation, we see a truer picture of their daily pain status, and also where their lifestyle can be adapted for their health needs.

We do not carry or sell medications, meaning our recommendations are completely impartial and evidence based.

We offer consultations for horses, dogs, cats and rabbits.

Pain is not how it feels, it is how it makes you feel
— Professor Jackie Reid

Patients that might benefit include those with:

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Back pain

  • Developmental orthopaedic disease (dysplasia’s and deformities)

  • Behavioural problems

    • Up to 80% of a behaviourist’s caseload may suffer from chronic pain; DOI:10.3390/ani10020318

  • Unusual reactions to non-painful situations such as grooming

  • Pain associated with cancerous and non-cancerous tumours

  • Recovering from, or preparing for, surgery

  • With or recovering from injury

  • Cognitive decline

  • Needing palliative care

Our services are referral only. Your usual vet remains your primary, and out-of-hours provider.

Weight Management Plans


For many veterinary patients, weight management can play a large role in pain control.

Laura has further Clinical Nutrition training in canine and feline nutrition at Postgraduate Certificate level, and is experienced at working with her clients to formulate appropriate, realistic and achievable meal plans for her patients.

A wooden table with a silver laptop, a stethoscope, and a person's leg in scrubs. Part of a tiled floor is visible in the background.
A wooden table with a silver laptop, a stethoscope, and a person's leg in scrubs. Part of a tiled floor is visible in the background.

Western Veterinary Acupuncture


Close-up of a hand inserting an acupuncture needle into a horse's lumbar area, with a blurred background of a van.
Close-up of a hand inserting an acupuncture needle into a horse's lumbar area, with a blurred background of a van.

Western Veterinary Acupuncture is the placement of fine needles into ‘acupoints’, muscles, and anatomical landmarks, practiced following modern neuroanatomical principles, and incorporating dry needling.

Acupuncture works by:

  • Stimulating afferent nerves

  • Releasing endorphins

  • Modulating pain via effects seen locally, segmentally and in the brain

  • Affecting the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve

Patients that might benefit:

  • Animal with musculoskeletal pain - injuries, surgery, dysplasia’s and deformities, osteoarthritis, trigger points from exercise

  • Animals with neurological pain

  • Animals who do would benefit from the drug sparing effects of a multimodal approach to pain management

We are very happy to accept acupuncture referrals for animals already under the care of chronic pain clinics that are not easily accessible.

A person with light skin placing an acupuncture needle into a chestnut horse's splenius muscle, which is wearing a striped halter, against a brick wall background.

Why refer to Aponia?


“Working with Laura has always been an incredibly positive experience. Communication is easy, open, and professional, and there is always a strong sense of mutual respect and collaborative discussion around patient care. Laura’s knowledge, clinical reasoning, and willingness to be part of a multidisciplinary team make her a pleasure to work alongside. As a veterinary physiotherapist, the qualities I value most in a vet are clear communication, respect for allied professionals, openness to collaborative treatment planning, and a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for patients all of which Laura consistently demonstrates.”

– Sophie Parkinson, MVetPhys, RAMP Registered, Veterinary Physiotherapist


Get In Touch

If you're interested in a consultation for your animal or referring a patient, please contact us via the following form, by email at hello@aponia.vet or call Laura on 07792 495152