Effective Canine Exercise Prescription: Improving Compliance and Outcomes

Description:

You can prescribe the perfect exercise programme, but if the client doesn’t carry it out at home, progress stalls. So how do we design rehabilitation programmes that owners actually follow—and that deliver meaningful results for the dog?

In this practical and engaging session, Laura explores how therapists can improve compliance, motivation, and outcomes through smarter exercise prescription. Drawing on extensive experience in canine rehabilitation, Laura will share strategies for selecting appropriate exercises, structuring progressions, and communicating clearly with owners to maximise adherence."

"This talk will focus on real-world clinical challenges faced by therapists every day, with practical solutions that can be implemented immediately in practice. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of ideas to help clients stay engaged, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and make home exercise programmes a more effective part of canine recovery. This session is primarily aimed at new graduate therapists developing confidence in exercise prescription, though experienced clinicians may also gain useful insights and practical ideas to enhance their rehabilitation programmes.

Speaker Bio: 

Laura Hackett is a canine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist and the founder of Apollo Animal Physiotherapy & Hydrotherapy. Her clinical work focuses on evidence-based rehabilitation for canine patients, to restore mobility and to optimise long-term health and performance. 

Laura has a particular interest in exercise prescription and rehabilitation programme design, with a focus on improving client engagement and compliance to achieve better outcomes for patients. Through daily clinical practice she has developed practical strategies that help therapists bridge the gap between ideal rehabilitation plans and what owners can realistically implement at home, recognising that successful rehabilitation depends not only on appropriate clinical techniques but also on designing realistic, achievable home exercise programmes that owners can confidently implement.

Alongside her clinical work, Laura contributes to the development of the veterinary rehabilitation profession and is passionate about advancing standards, supporting professional collaboration, and sharing practical knowledge that helps therapists improve patient outcomes.