Rob's Veterinary

06/06/2026

An interesting and emerging field in canine behaviour.
https://shro.org/animal-neurodiversity-science-beyond-behavioral-standards/

Many of you will already be familiar with the work of Temple Grandin, who helped broaden our understanding that different individuals can perceive and process the world in different ways.

Researchers are now exploring whether similar concepts may help explain certain behavioural patterns observed in animals. Whether these ideas ultimately become widely accepted remains to be seen but is certainly an interesting area of ongoing research.

Over the years I've certainly encountered canine patients whose behavioural presentations don't always fit neatly into traditional frameworks. It will be interesting to see how this area of research develops in the coming years.

For those who would like to explore some of the scientific literature:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11273832/

Animal Neurodiversity: Research conducted on Beagle populations has identified mutations in the SHANK3 gene (associated to human autism) with similar syntoms

02/06/2026

Current Appointment Availability:
Albury:
June 16th - 2 x equine appointments are available at AWEC
June 23rd & 30th - Canine & Equine Appointments available both days.
July & August - No appointments available
September - TBA

Canberra:
June 3rd -13th - Canine appointments available through The Foreshore Vet in Kingston.
July 21st & 30th - equine appointments available
August - No appointments available
September - TBA

Send a message to learn more

23/05/2026

⭐️ Warrell Park Amoen ⭐️

Here at Riverton Riding School we are lucky enough to have some incredible schoolmasters to teach the next generation of riders. However owning a team full of school masters usually means aged horses and some old injuries that need managing. We have an incredible network of experts working together to keep all our horses happy and sound including farriers, bodyworkers and vets. There are very few horses we haven’t been able to keep on top of but there’s been a couple we couldn’t quite figure out. That was until Dr Rob Willis came on the scene - known as our magician Rob can fix anything.

An old, cripple quarter horse with rotation in both front feet and arthritis in his stifles is now back jumping 80cm and loving his job. A 28yo Clydie X is kept comfortable and sound with Robs help. The biggest miracle he’s performed is on our old showjumper Amoen.

He’s never been “quite right behind” but been happy to carry on and do the job. After a while, Moe started stopping at competition and showing no interest in jumping - very unlike him! We decided it was best for him to let him do what he was happy with and that was teach kids on the flat. As time went on he grew an interest for jumping again but still didn’t seem 100%. He was dragging his back end and falling out of the canter a lot - most put this down to “lazy” behaviour. I decided to take him to Rob and I now have a different horse on my hands.

In one session we addressed the issue, treated the site and came up with a plan moving forward. The “lazy horse” no longer exists, previously a horse that required spurs and a whip now needs no extra aids. He canters around the paddock, he tracks up behind and he’s generally more settled in himself. As a 16 year old gelding who’s jumped Grand Prix we thought he wouldn’t see a competition arena again but with Robs guidance I believe we will get him back out competing with the students.

We’re very lucky to have Rob in our corner sharing his expertise and knowledge with our team. He is an invaluable part of keeping this operation going!

Claudia & Mo.

21/05/2026

📣 Albury Appointment Availability Announcement

Dr Rob is almost fully booked, with only limited appointments still available for musculoskeletal/pain consultations.

Our next Albury-Wodonga appointment availability is June 15th & 16th, with limited spots remaining on June 16th. 🐾 🐴

If your pet is needing a musculoskeletal/pain assessment or you’ve been meaning to book in, please contact us ASAP to secure an appointment.

📞 Best contact: 0490 038 208

Thank you!

19/05/2026

Meet Gabby,
Gabby presented for assessment today with Grade 1 IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) - the earliest stage of disc related spinal pain.
Cases like Gabby are an important reminder that not all IVDD patients initially present with neurological deficits or obvious gait abnormalities.
Many Grade 1 IVDD dogs will:
> Walk normally
> Retain normal limb function
> show minimal spinal pain on palpation
.... but they remain in a significant hyperaesthetic pain state due to early disc protrusion, nerve root irritation and associated inflammation.
These patients are commonly mistaken for gastrointestinal cases because they often present with:
> tense abdomens
> groaning or discomfort - particularly when the abdomen is palpated
> reluctance to move comfortably

Importantly, many have no vomiting or diarrhoea - and routine bloodwork and abdominal imaging are usually normal.
In breeds such as Dachshunds and miniature Dachshunds, IVDD should remain high on the differential list when middle-aged dogs present with unexplained abdominal discomfort or altered behaviour.
Cases like Gabby are a good reminder that subtle pain presentations can sometimes reflect underlying spinal disease long before more obvious neurological signs develop.

18/05/2026

Movement, mobility and chronic pain issues in animals are often more subtle than many people realise.
In both horses and dogs in particular - reduced performance, stiffness, behavioural change, altered posture or reluctance to move can sometimes reflect underlying musculoskeletal discomfort long before obvious lameness is seen.
My clinical focus since 2011 has been veterinary mobility medicine, chronic pain management and more recently, neuromuscular dysfunction - combining veterinary medicine, acupuncture, movement assessment (gait analysis) and neuromuscular interventions to help improve not only performance and function but also comfort and quality of life.

Commonly, I work with:
> Horses with subtle performance or movement concerns
> Dogs with arthritis, spinal pain or mobility decline
> Ageing animals requiring long term pain management and mobility support
> Animals with chronic musculoskeletal issues impacting day-to-day function

It has been incredibly rewarding to see the positive changes many animals can make when pain, mobility and movement quality are assessed together - particularly in cases where subtle (or not so subtle) chronic discomfort may have been impacting performance, behaviour or day-to-day quality of life.

More information can be found at:
www.robsveterinary.com

18/05/2026

Next Available Appointments

1. Albury/Wodonga:
June 15th & 16th. Bookings are now being taken.

Canine Appointments: Dog Education Centre - Wodonga.
Equine Appointments: AWEC, or travel to your property can be arranged

2. Canberra:
Canine Appointments - The Foreshore Vet, Kingston - Wednesday-Friday availability May 21st to June 12th
Equine Appointments - On Property - May 29th & June 2nd

For all appointments except The Foreshore Vet appointments please contact Dr Rob directly on 0490 038 208 or email: [email protected]

For canine appointments in Canberra please contact The Foreshore Vet directly on 6188 4255.

Thanks!
Rob

Send a message to learn more

14/05/2026

📣 Appointment Availability Announcement 📣

Dr Rob is almost fully booked next week, with only limited appointments still available on Tuesday morning.

If your pet is needing a musculoskeletal assessment or you’ve been meaning to book in, please contact us ASAP to secure a spot. 🐾

Best contact: 0490 038 208

Thank you!

12/05/2026

I cannot speak highly enough about Rob.
After discovering the horse I am leasing, Leroy, was not feeling his best and was moving a bit ‘off’, I wanted to get him checked out and was recommended to Rob so I booked an appointment.
After an evaluation of Leroy’s movement and discussing my concerns, Rob successfully realigned both of Leroy’s hips and performed acupuncture on his front leg.
After a few days off, Leroy came back feeling absolutely amazing. There has been so much improvement in his movement and overall happiness. Leroy is now moving very freely and correctly without discomfort, and he is now willing to go forward into the contact in which he was reluctant to do before Rob’s treatment.
I cannot believe the amount of improvement I have seen in Leroy, he is genuinely a much happier horse overall and is now feeling so much more comfortable.
Rob has been absolutely fantastic to deal with, he is so kind and always makes sure the horse is comfortable and genuinely cares about both the owner and the horse.
After Leroy’s treatment, Rob has been consistently checking in about how Leroy is progressing and is always happy to answer any questions I may have.
I seriously cannot thank Rob enough!!

- Sierra & Leroy

24/04/2026

Hi everyone,
I'm really looking forward to joining Dr Tanya & her team for my upcoming locum at The Foreshore Vet in Canberra this coming week. It's an exciting opportunity, really looking forward to meeting the Foreshore team.
I'm also now taking equine bookings for horse owners in the Canberra area on May 15th. I will have other equine dates during May and will confirm them for you as they come to hand.
For those interested in equine appointments in Canberra I'm a veterinarian who specializes in pain management, performance and riding issues in horses. I don't regard myself as a bodyworker - my service lies somewhere between veterinary and what people call bodywork - acupuncture, veterinary medications and osteopathic/chiropractic interventions are my area of expertise.
For equine bookings, I'd love to help you with your horses during my time in Canberra. My number is 0490 038 208.
Thanks,
Rob

https://www.theforeshorevet.com.au/