ABOUT US
Our mission is to provide accessible & affordable rehabilitation services, promote canine health and wellbeing with a focus on owner education and promote preventative care and general wellbeing of our pets.
Our multi disciplinary team offers a range of services under one roof, working together as a collective to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic and acute pain.
'' Not for profit. For the love of, Winston ''
Our Story... Winston & Danielle
The Retreat was founded in 2018, by Winston & his humans.
Winston, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, came into our lives 10 years ago. Faced with a multitude of orthopaedic and neurological degenerative conditions we realised the importance of complimentary therapy to his current, and future quality of life.
Finding services inaccessible at the time, Winston took his owner Danielle on a journey - one still on going to this day.
Danielle experiences first hand the day to day emotional challenges faced by our patients owners. Our practitioners share their first hand experiences as well as their professional knowledge - we walk hand in hand on your pets journey of recovery and wellness.
We believe in focusing on a Bio-Psycho-Social clinical model - Never forgetting that each patient is an individual, with specific needs.
OUR TEAM
Danielle Perdue
Canine Hydrotherapist
Director
CertHSA RCH NARCH
Leah Philips
Veterinary Physiotherapist
Bsc PgDip VetPhys MIRVAP(VP)
Danielle previously worked as a Veterinary Assistant in a first opinion practice until completing her Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy in 2018. She is currently embarking on her Advanced Underwater Treadmill Certification and has experience in a multitude of Hydrotherapy Centres.
Danielle is a member of the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists, the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance and is a Canine Arthritis Advocate - Completing her Level 1 course in January 2023. She has a keen interest in species appropriate diet, as well as preventative canine care.
Danielle has 3 dogs and 3 cats at home, all with varying degrees of mobility issues, which gives her a personal appreciation to the successful management of canine mobility within the home.
Her interests include walking, aerial acrobatics and mentoring other rehabilitation practitioners in her free time.
As lead Hydrotherapist, she continues to push our Not for Profit aims and goals with the aim of creating a sustainable, accessible, community focused Canine Rehabilitation Centre.
Leah gained her PgDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy from The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 and is currently embarking on her MSc. Leah has worked with dogs for a number of years formally offering dog walking & pet sitting in and around Neath. Leah started her Journey to becoming a qualified Vet Physio 4 years ago when her own pet had to undergo a Total Hip Replacement at 20 months old. This was the start of Leah's journey.
Initially, Leah hosted a Saturday satellite clinic but has thankfully joined our team permanently as a lead practitioner, undertaking all initial veterinary physiotherapy initial assessments as well as undertaking Canine Hydrotherapy consultations in conjunction with Danielle Perdue RCH.
Penny Fordham
Canine Hydrotherapist
DipHSA RCH NARCH
Jessica Williams
Hydrotherapy Assistant
As far back as Penny can remember, she has only ever wanted to work in the animal care profession. Penny worked at a rescue and boarding kennels whilst still at school, then went on to train as a Veterinary Nurse. Penny's husband and her then ran their own pet shop for nearly 20 years where I developed a keen interest in species appropriate nutrition. Then along came Tommi, a rescue Tibetan Spaniel with no end of health issues which lead Penny to discover the world of Canine Hydrotherapy, resulting in me enrolling on the level 3 diploma in small animal hydrotherapy in 2021.
She successfully completed her Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Hydrotherapy in June 2023.
Penny believes in a force free approach and feel allowing dogs time to gain their trust and feel confident in your care will help to provide the best possible outcome from any treatments. Penny and her husband and are currently owned by 3 Tibetan Spaniels and 1 crazy cat and are hopefully adding a Tibetan Mastiff and a rough collie next year.
Penny has a real soft spot for Collies!
Jess has completed a BSc (Hons) Zoology degree and previously worked at a kennels as well as a doggy day care and was recently a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs where she socialised and trained a guide dog pup who lived with her, in a variety of contexts. Training included positive reinforcement as well as letting the pup decide its own limits.
This industry appeals to her as it consists of a holistic approach where physiology, behaviour, as well as being hands on, give the opportunity to increase comfort and happiness in patients.
She has had a range of pets including rabbits, hamsters, a guinea pig and gerbils. One rabbit had residual hindlimb issues as a result of an infection in early life. This hindlimb weakness helped Jess better understand the importance of physiotherapy.
She has enjoyed her first two weeks and learnt a vast amount about treatment plans. It has further spiked her interest in the range of conditions affecting these dogs and how to treat them case by case.
Jess’s hobbies include long outdoor walks at new places.
Isabella Kriescher
Rehabilitation Assistant
Isabella has worked closely with a range of small animals and dogs over the past 4 years. She has
previously worked in a pet store caring for the animals and advising owners of various pet species. She
has also worked as a dog groomer, kennel assistant and dog day care worker before joining the Retreat
family.
Isabella is currently enrolled on a BSc Veterinary Physiotherapy degree with the hopes of completing a
hydrotherapy qualification in the future. Her passion for Hydro and Physiotherapy is ever-growing and
she is excited to be a part of a wonderful, caring and rewarding field of work.
Isabella has two energetic fur babies (aka dogs; an Irish and an English setter) to keep her extra busy, as
well as enjoying horse riding in her spare time.
Issy recently completed her clinical practicals in Canine Massage in October 2023 as part of her Veterinary Physiotherapy BSc.
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