After completing a degree in Equine Science in 2009 through the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Jemma went on to gain her Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification in 2014, allowing Jemma to further her Veterinary knowledge and understanding of both small animal and equines.
 
During her education, Jemma always had a a keen interest in physiotherapy techniques, so it was only natural that she undertook the animal physiotherapist qualification with The College of Animal Physiotherapy Ltd.
​
Jemma has worked in practice to rehabilitate many dogs undergoing orthopaedic procedures, neurological conditions and various ailments through the methods of physiotherapy and veterinary nursing combined. Jemma has further since completer her Canine Hydrotherapy Level 3 certificate with Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy and is looking forward to acquiring some training and teaching qualifications in the near future.

Outside of work, Jemma has worked with horses for over 15 years, competing her own ID X to Medium Level Dressage, judging numerous dressage competitions and now owning a Shire to continue her dressage future. She owns a particularly special Bull Lurcher and enjoys cani-cross and man-trailing events with her.

It has always been a dream of Jemma's to open a specific rehabilitation centre for canine's that uses a holistic approach to the patients needs to get the best treatment protocol in place to maximise results for these furry friends!

During my school years I studied sport with a keen interest for sport rehabilitation. However, after finishing university I soon realised the career path I had chosen wasn't exactly something I was passionate about and my true passion was working with and caring for animals. I've owned dogs and horses all my life and in my younger years took part in some dressage and show jumping competitions with my section D mare.
 
In 2016 I started looking for a job working with animals and found a receptionist position available at my local vets. I instantly fell in love. I progressed in the veterinary world and in 2018 I started working as a student nurse in a very fast pace veterinary hospital in South Wales. I loved every aspect of the job and I learnt a lot about supporting and caring for animals with medical, neurological and orthopaedic conditions.
 
In 2019 while I was working as a nurse, Howie my little terrier cross came in after being injured and abandoned.
After he'd undergone a few different operations to fix his broken legs we were referred to JCB Animal Physio to help with his recovery and that is where my journey really began.
 
I started working at the centre part time whilst still working as a veterinary nurse and also studying Canine Hydrotherapy. In 2022, I completed my level 3 certificate with Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy and at the beginning of 2023 started working full time here at the centre, bringing both my passion for animals and rehabilitation together in the same job has been a dream come true.

In the next year I hope to start my Physiotherapy qualification as well as to take on more managerial aspects of work within JCB Animal Physio Rehabilitation Centre while the centre grows.

Casting back to 2014, I graduated from Hartpury College after completing my ‘BSc Animal Science’, where I originally fell in love with hydrotherapy after working with canine and equine clients, along with completing my dissertation on how buoyancy aids affect canine heart rates in a hydrotherapy pool.
 

Since leaving Hartpury, I have gained my PGCE and have been lecturing at a local FE College in various departments including ‘Animal Care’ and ‘Equine’. I have really enjoyed working with the students to get the best out of them, however I have always wanted to return to my physiotherapy/hydrotherapy dream- so here I am!
 

I am currently completing the final year of my MSc ‘Veterinary Physiotherapy’ at Writtle University and I have been studying here for the past 3 years. Since starting my course, I have developed my physiotherapy skills and I have also completed my ‘Level 3 Hydrotherapy’. I have also developed a keen interest in how electro-therapies can help reduce pain, promote healing and influence biomechanics- this is my current area of research for my dissertation.
 

I am a true dog lover and I am owned by a Newfoundland named Moose and a French Bulldog named Brian, so I am used to handling dogs of all shapes and sizes! I also have a horse and three cats- a small zoo some may say. I adore all dogs (and cats… and horses…) and want to make it my mission to help as many animals to live their best, pain free lives! These animals are precious to us and I will treat them all with the highest care and compassion.
 

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask- unless it’s anything Geography related.. I’m useless at that.

I am very excited to be a part of the amazing team at JCB and will be starting in December 2023!