Here to Help You and Your Animals
Dr Debbie Prattley

Whether it’s older animals who need help to improve their mobility and settle sore joints and muscles, sporting or working dogs or horses needing to get back to 100% performance, or pets recovering from surgery, there are ways I can help. I like to be practical, down to earth and effective, working with you to find the best way to help your animals. I have many years of experience and tons of qualifications!
I graduated from the Massey University vet school (last century!) with an interest in physiotherapy, despite not really knowing what it was. Rehabilitation wasn’t a thing then! After locuming in the UK and doing government vet work for a while, I came back to New Zealand and found myself a nice wee lifestyle block to live on with horses, dogs and some sheep. When my lovely mare started being grumpy and pinning her ears back when I rode, like any owner would I tried to help her. I tried a few approaches, but it was a vet colleague with expertise in chiropractic and acupuncture who got us on the right path. While I was hugely grateful, I also felt frustrated by not being able to help Suse myself. Realising that other horse and pet owners might be having problems that our normal vet skills didn’t cater for, I starting training—and I haven’t stopped since, because there’s always so much more to learn.
That list of qualifications…
BVSc – Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Distinction), Massey University
MRes – Master of Research, Glasgow University
MOst – Master of Osteopathy, Unitec
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy (Veterinary Science), Massey University
PGDipAnChiro – Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Chiropractic (Distinction), RMIT
CVA – Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture, IVAS
CCRP – Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, University of Tennessee
Other courses
Veterinary Behaviour, Centre for Veterinary Education, University of Sydney
Behaviour Analysis paper, University of Waikato
Biodynamic Osteopathy Phases 1 & 2; Power for Change
CranioSacral Therapy 1 & 2, Upledger Institute
Zero Balancing 1
Canine V Elective – Canine Sports Medicine Course, University of Tennessee
FDSA Canine Fitness Trainer (Bronze course)
Accredited Saddle Fitters of Australasia Saddle Fitting Course
Introductory Saddle Fitting, Society of Master Saddlers UK
Saddle Reflocking, Cumbria School of Saddlery, UK
Equine Athletics and Functional Assessment, Animal Rehab Institute, Florida
Equine Touch Levels 1-3
Lecturer, British Equestrian Trade Association Introduction to Saddle Fitting Course, Auckland 2018; Introductory and Intermediate courses, Auckland 2019