About Emma
A career built around understanding how animals move, recover and perform
For more than 25 years, Emma Fretwell has worked at the intersection of chiropractic, rehabilitation, movement and performance, building a respected reputation within both clinical practice and the canine professional world.
Emma's qualifications include...
BSc (Hons) Chiropractic
Animal Rehabilitation
Animal Chiropractic
Canine Rehabilitation Certificate
Advanced Animal Chiropractic
Osteoarthritis Case Manager Certificate
Originally qualifying in 2000, Emma’s career has spanned human and animal chiropractic, rehabilitation, research, teaching and elite canine sport. Over the years, she has worked with thousands of dogs, from family pets and older companions through to agility, working and competition dogs performing at international level.
Her approach has always centred around one thing: understanding the individual dog in front of her.
Rather than focusing purely on symptoms, Emma looks at the wider picture. Movement patterns, strength, compensation, recovery, lifestyle, performance demands and long-term wellbeing all play a role in how a dog feels and functions.
That combination of clinical reasoning, practical experience and collaborative working has made Emma a trusted name amongst owners, veterinary professionals and fellow practitioners alike.
A practical, collaborative approach to canine wellbeing
Throughout her career, Emma has worked closely alongside multidisciplinary veterinary and rehabilitation teams, helping support dogs through complex orthopaedic, neurological and performance-related challenges.
A pivotal point in her professional journey came through working with veterinary referral teams at Vale Vets in Gloucestershire, where Emma became heavily involved in the rehabilitation and management of chronic and complex cases. The experience deepened her understanding of differential diagnosis, rehabilitation planning and collaborative patient care.
This work later evolved into the development of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation environment, bringing together chiropractors, physiotherapists, hydrotherapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and rehabilitation professionals to support better patient outcomes through shared clinical reasoning and teamwork.
That philosophy still shapes Emma’s work today.
She believes the best outcomes are achieved when knowledge, communication and experience come together around the patient, with owners feeling informed, supported and involved throughout the process.
Education, research and professional leadership
Alongside clinical work, Emma has remained heavily involved in the development and progression of the animal chiropractic profession.
She previously served on the managing committee of the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA), contributing to education standards, professional development, accreditation processes and international teaching initiatives.
Her roles within the profession have included:
Head of Clinical Research for the IVCA
RAMP Committee Member for 4 years
International examiner and lecturer
Chair of the Animal Faculty at the Royal College of Chiropractors
Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractors
Research and continued learning remain central to Emma’s philosophy. Her work has included involvement in research surrounding chiropractic care, gait analysis and rehabilitation outcomes, alongside extensive postgraduate study and professional development throughout her career.
Emma was also the first animal chiropractor in the UK to complete the CCRP qualification through the University of Tennessee.
More than treatment alone
For Emma, rehabilitation and wellbeing are never solely about appointments or techniques.
They are about helping dogs maintain comfort, confidence, function and quality of life in a way that feels realistic and supportive for both dog and owner.
Education plays a huge role within that process. Emma is passionate about helping owners better understand their dogs, empowering them with practical knowledge and building confidence through clear communication and honest guidance.
Her approach combines professionalism with warmth, empathy and humour, creating an environment where both owners and dogs feel supported throughout their journey.
Dogs have shaped Emma’s life from an early age, and that connection continues to influence everything she does today.
Away from practice, teaching and speaking, she remains deeply involved in the canine world and continues to have a particular passion for movement, performance and helping dogs live active, comfortable lives for as long as possible.
Years of hands-on experience across clinics, rehabilitation environments, sporting events and professional education have given Emma a unique perspective that bridges science, practical application and genuine understanding of the relationship between dogs and their owners.
Supporting dogs from everyday life to international competition
Emma is widely recognised for her work within the canine performance and agility world.
In 2009, she was appointed Team Chiropractor for Kennel Club Team GB Agility, supporting dogs competing at European Opens and World Championship level for a number of years. Since then, she has also worked with Team England and Team GB competitors across international agility events.
Working within elite canine sport provided valuable insight into performance conditioning, injury prevention, strength management and the physical demands placed on canine athletes at the highest level.
Today, Emma continues to work with active and sporting dogs alongside rehabilitation cases, older dogs and general wellbeing support, applying the same attention to movement quality, function and long-term health across every stage of life.
Work with Emma
Whether you are looking for clinical support, rehabilitation guidance, speaking opportunities, professional collaboration or educational input, Emma would love to hear from you.