Saskia Fake
Veterinary Physiotherapist
Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa - Physio Team
Service Region: Auckland
Becoming a veterinary physiotherapist has been a wonderful journey, which probably started as a young girl looking after farm animals growing up in rural Hawkes Bay.
I worked as a human physiotherapist for 5 years before committing to a Post Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool. I then started my dream job working in a specialist small animal hospital, from there I went on to complete a Master’s in Veterinary Physiotherapy with a thesis on the conservative management of canine lumbosacral disease.
Working in a veterinary hospital is so rewarding. While I have a soft spot for big dogs, every day I get to work with a variety of animals & entertaining personality types (dogs, cats & the odd rabbit!). Our caseload can span from complex & severe medical cases, to elderly patients facing mobility challenges. But central to the love of my role as a veterinary physiotherapist is the commitment to enhance the quality of life for our animals.
If I'm not hanging out with my pets I'll be out getting coffee, doing yoga or watering my plants!
Saskia's qualifications include;
Masters of Science Veterinary Physiotherapy (MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy) - University of Liverpool, UK (2023)
Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc Physiotherapy) - Auckland University of Technology, NZ (2016)
Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ)
NZ Physiotherapy Board registered (NZPB)
About VSA Physiotherapy
At our Sylvia Park, Auckland West & Christchurch hospitals, VSA offers physiotherapy services for cats, dogs & animals that need extra help with mobility, recovery from injury, rehabilitation or arthritis. Both your regular veterinarian & your VSA specialist can advise how physiotherapy may help your pet.
Sarah Cruickshank & her VSA Physio team provide in-depth assessments & treatments to speed recovery & maximise outcomes. They lead the field of veterinary physiotherapy & rehabilitation in this country.
World-class physiotherapy facilities
The facility at VSA includes some of the best equipment available including K-laser, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) & exercise rehabilitation tools. One of our service features is an underwater treadmill - which assists in recovery of strength, proprioception, ambulation & mobility in our patients with neurological or orthopaedic disease.
In order to maximise recovery & restore function, surgical in-patients at VSA have immediate post-operative physiotherapy input. Pet owners are given individualised home exercise programmes & education by one of our VSA Physios, ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of continued care.
P: 09 320 5645 (Sylvia Park & West Auckland Hospitals)
VSA Physio provide the following services;
Canine physiotherapy & hydrotherapy
Feline physiotherapy
Exotic animal physiotherapy
Animal rehabilitation