Our Team

Charlotte Barton, MSc BSc(hons) MCSP ACPAT(cat A) RAMP:

Education and Qualifications:

Charlotte is a chartered physiotherapist with postgraduate specialist training in veterinary physiotherapy. She holds a Master of Science (Merit) in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College, London, and a BSc (hons) in Human Physiotherapy. Prior to this, she achieved a BSc (hons) in Agriculture and Animal Science, providing a strong foundation in animal health, biomechanics, and husbandry.

She registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). She is also an ACPAT (cat A) veterinary physiotherapist, and RAMP registered - a level of qualification recognised by many veterinary hospitals and referral centres as a requirement for referral. These registrations reflect advanced postgraduate training, clinical competence, and adherence to established standards within veterinary physiotherapy practice.

Experience & Clinical Focus

Charlotte qualified as a veterinary physiotherapist in 2004 and has over 20 years of clinical experience working within both primary care and specialist veterinary settings. For 15 years, she worked in a first-opinion veterinary environment, supporting local GP practices alongside her work in human physiotherapy. This provided a strong foundation in managing a wide range of musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, and neurological conditions commonly seen in everyday veterinary practice.

She later spent over three years working within a specialist veterinary referral hospital, where she managed complex cases as part of a large multidisciplinary team (MDT). This included close collaboration with veterinary surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, and specialist clinicians, some of whom were involved in clinical research. Her referral caseload included neurological rehabilitation following spinal surgery, with particular expertise in gait retraining, functional recovery, and teaching dogs to stand and walk again following neurological injury.

Charlotte also treated a high volume of orthopaedic cases, both traumatic and chronic, including post-operative rehabilitation and long-term management of conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and degenerative joint disease. Her role included hydrotherapy (including underwater treadmill rehabilitation), elements of respiratory physiotherapy, involvement in intensive care patients, and the use of splinting and supportive devices to improve limb alignment, stability, and functional outcomes.

Charlotte now works in primary care veterinary physiotherapy through her mobile practice, maintaining close working relationships with local GP veterinary practices and veterinary referral hospitals. She treats both dogs and cats, supporting patients following orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, neurological injury, and in chronic or progressive conditions.

Her current clinical work includes:

• Post-spinal surgery neurorehabilitation

• Gait retraining and functional recovery

• Splinting and limb support

• Orthopaedic rehabilitation (conservative and surgical management)

• Sporting and working dog injuries, including iliopsoas strain, biceps tendon

• Chronic pain management and osteoarthritis

• Quality-of-life and palliative care, particularly for older animals

Charlotte has a particular clinical interest in feline physiotherapy, an area that remains underutilised within veterinary rehabilitation. She has treated a growing number of cats following orthopaedic surgery, as well as cats with neurological conditions, including fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). Her current caseload also includes ongoing support for cats with osteoarthritis and age-related mobility changes.

Feline physiotherapy requires a tailored, low-stress approach, with careful handling, environmental modification, and realistic rehabilitation goals. Charlotte works closely with owners and referring veterinary practices to support mobility, comfort, and function in cats, both in the post-operative period and in long-term management of chronic conditions.

Her approach focuses on maintaining mobility, comfort, and function, while supporting both patients and owners through realistic, evidence-based rehabilitation plans.

She spent over 20 years working as a human physiotherapist at a busy London hospital as a specialist in pelvic health and musculoskeletal conditions. She continues to work part time in the private setting as a pelvic health physiotherapist. She also has a keen interest in sports injuries having worked for a professional rugby union team. During COVID-19 she was redeployed as an ICU nurse.