Meet Our Team
Your pets are our priority
Heather Venables
VN Dip AVN MSc VetPhys L4 CertCanHydro MNAVP
2021 VestFest Excellence in Therapy Winner
Heather is the owner of PawFit. She became a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2010, earned her diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in 2015 and became a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist in 2017. After running Pawfit as a mobile business for 2 years, Heather opened her PawFit rehabilitation centre in 2020. Heather also enjoys opportunities to teach and regularly takes on students for placements.
Over the last few years Heather has gained a keen interest in rehabilitation and conditioning for sports dogs.
Heather works in the centre every Monday, every other Thursday and Fridays. She also helps to run a physio clinic at Eden Vets, near Crewe, every other Thursday.
Heather shares her life with two dogs, Buddy and Tosca, two cats, Lily and Tiger, a horse, Dorris, and her partner.
Fran Germain
Sports Therapy BSc Hons (SST) PgD VetPhys MNAVP
Fran joined the PawFit team after qualifying from Harper Adams University in 2019. Previous to this, Fran had been working as a Sports Therapist in private practice and professional rugby since 2014. helping and rehabilitating animals requires an in depth knowledge of biomechanics, which Fran has gained from her years of practicing sports therapy and from her continued professional development..
Fran is happy tackling the full size scale of dogs - from her Border Terrier, Bob, to Erik the Leonberger.
Fran is in the centre Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Kate Outram
BSc Hons MSc VetPhys MNAVP
Kate started at Pawfit in February 2021 after graduating with a postgraduate degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy.
She originally graduated with an undergraduate degree in Zoology, and has since gone onto complete her Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy.
Kate has a keen interest in specialist orthotics, and has completed training and CPD with both WIMBA and Scandi Orthopaedic to be able to fit custom orthotics, thermoplastic splints and braces. After also completing a course on Canine Kinesiology taping, she frequently uses this in practice to support rehabilitation.
Kate works in the centre Tuesdays, every other Wednesday and Fridays. She also helps to run a physio clinic at Eden Vets, near Crewe, every other Thursday.
At home, she loves sundog and scentwork training with her dog, Jenna, as well as keeping busy with her Connemara pony, Harvey and 3 legged cat, Nellie.
Laura Jo Winyard
BSc Hons PgD VetPhys MIRVAP (VP) Level3 CertCanHydro ICH
Laura joined the PawFit team in January 2023 and works Monday's, Wednesday's, Friday's and alternate Saturday's.
After qualifying as a veterinary physiotherapist from Harper Adams University in 2017, she worked at a busy hydrotherapy centre for 3 years, completing her Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy.
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Laura spends her time away from the centre with her Picardy Spaniel, Silas and Welsh Section D pony, Rocket.
Emma Murphy
BSc Hons PgD VetPhys MIRVAP
Emma joined PawFit in October 2023 after earning a Postgraduate Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She previously completed an undergraduate degree in Zoology and is aiming to complete her Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2026.
having grown up on a small holding with chickens, sheep, donkeys and dogs, Emma has always had a deep love for animals. before joining PawFit, she spent five years working in a local kennels and gained additional experience as a receptionist in a small animal veterinary practice in Nottingham whilst studying.
Dogs have especially been Emma's happy place and she is excited for another great year at PawFit, meeting new clients and their pets.
Emma works in the centre every Wednesday, every other Thursday and most Saturdays as well as running our physio clinic at Eden Vets near Crewe, every Monday.
Kate Starkie
BSc Hons Equine Science and Mgmt MSc VetPhys
Kate joined the PawFit team in 2022 after qualifying with a PgD in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Harper Adams University and offers PawFit support with clinic days and home visits for dogs in Lancashire and Merseyside alongside her own business Starkie Vet Physio.
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Kate spends her time competing in agility and also man trailing with her own dog, Luna, who also has her Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen Award. they both enjoy long walks in the lake district and cuddling on the couch at home.
Suzi Zawistowicz
BSc Hons Level 4 Cert Canine Hydrotherapy MIRVAP ICH
Suzi has been at PawFit since the rehabilitation centre opened in December 2020. She trained at Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy Centre and later for her Level 4 Certificate at K9HS. Suzi works at the centre Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Suzi has gained plenty of experience handling and working with dogs over the years, competing in agility with her Labrador, Meg and Kelpie, Skip.
She also has a particular interest in dog training and behaviour. At present Suzi is studying to gain her Veterinary Physiotherapy Masters at Nottingham University.
Once she has finished her Masters Suzi is planning on getting another dog.
Hazel Hicklin
Social Media Manager and Assistant
Hazel joined PawFit in April 2021, setting up an Instagram account and running this alongside PawFits Facebook account. She can also be found at the Centre helping out, and taking on administration duties. From an early age Hazel has loved all animals and shows great care and compassion for them. Having previously worked in health and social care, she is now using her knowledge and abilities to support animals. Away from PawFit, Hazel spends most of her time with her Cava-cockapoo Teddy and her husband. She also has her own small business as an artist/illustrator.