Butterwick Animal Rehab Clinic Team
We help people who are worried about their dogโs health and want their dog to lead a more active, normal and pain free life!
Mark Harding
Veterinary Physiotherapist and Owner
Mark is passionate about dogs getting better and living their best life. He oversees the treatment plans for all our patients and is constantly looking for new ways to explain things to mumโs and dadโs, often partial to a good analogy or metaphor and has been known to throw in the odd drawing but itโs fair to say โartโ was never his strong point.
He also is very passionate about our staff development and is constantly looking for new ways to enable us to understand dogs and their owners. Mark has over recent years been asked to help train the future generations of Veterinary physiotherapists and hydrotherapists so that they too can help owners.
Emma Simpson
Front desk Superstar
Emma grew up and resides in Darlington. For much of her life, until recently, sheโs always owned dogs and is never happier than when sheโs surrounded by them! Emma has always loved customer service having worked in a multitude of different sectors from retail to hospitality to engineering! Emmaโs passion lies within the theatre world, where she is regularly seen on the stage in Gainford, Darlington as well as running all of their marketing activities. When sheโs not treading the boards, she loves spending time outdoors and going on long walks.
Melissa Payne
Veterinary Physiotherapist
Born in London and raised on the Isle of Wight Melissa has has a passion for animals from a young age after moving to the country. Growing up she pursued this passion by volunteering at various clinics and shelters including a bat hospital! Melissa took her love for animals into her education by studying equine management at college and spending a number of years following this working as a polo groom. Melissa furthered her education and passion for working with animals by undertaking a degree in veterinary physiotherapy, during this time she had the opportunity to work with rescue dogs and this cemented her desire to pursue a career working with dogs and helping them be their best and healthiest selves. Melissa has a lurcher of her own who she loves spending her time with walking through the countryside and exploring new places.
Hollie Thornton
Veterinary Physiotherapist
Hollie grew up in Darlington, always surrounded by animals growing up and developing a passion for them early on. She began with studying an extended diploma in science with hopes of training within the Veterinary industry one day. Throughout college, she discovered a course in Veterinary Physiotherapy after several months of research which she knew would be well suited to both her passion to work with animals and encouraging their recovery. Hollie completed a 3 year degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy affiliated with the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP), which covered anatomy all the way through to the correct handling and care of both small and large animals. Hollie has two dogs, Gus and Nellie who she spends a lot of time with outside of work.
Vicky Wilton
Canine Hydrotherapist
Vicky grew up in a small village in County Durham, from a young age she discovered she felt more at peace with animals than anything else. Moving to London at 16 she pursued a career working with children. 6 years later a summer trip back home to the countryside awakened her passion and was enrolled on a course for Animal management to start only a month later. This was the start of her passion for helping animals in need and a 7 year veterinary career came of the back of completing her diploma.
Vicky is a mother of two boys and has two dogs, sky and sully. Her free time is spent in the countryside enjoying time with her family.
Trevor Ditchburn
Canine Hydrotherapist
Trev grew up in Guisborough, North Yorkshire. From the age of two, there have always been dogs in his life, the first being a rough collie called Rona, whom was his best buddy growing up. He has owned Rottweilers for the last 25 years, and is currently the proud owner of two fantastic boys, Apollo and Zeus
Trev retired from the Police after 28 years service, and decided to fulfil a life-long dream of a career working with, and helping animals. Butterwick was the ideal choice, being a customer when Apollo tore his Cruciate ligament, and seeing first hand the professionalism and ethos the team has. Trev loves travelling abroad, experiencing new cultures and cuisine, and spending time outdoors with his dogs
