Leading veterinary academic Dr Susan Kempson is the new president of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). She will be supported in the role by the new NAVP vice president Lady Willoughby de Broke.
The appointments come alongside the launch of a new MSc veterinary physiotherapy course at Harper Adams University College, in conjunction with the NAVP.
Dr Kempson is a senior lecturer in veterinary pre-clinical sciences at the University of Edinburgh (Royal Dick) Veterinary School and has been teaching anatomy for over 30 years. A leading researcher and widely published, she has been the winner of the Pfizer Teaching Award in four successive years from 2005 and is an internationally respected authority in her subject.
Dr Kempson has been teaching and examining on veterinary anatomy for the NAVP since 2007 and now lectures on comparative veterinary anatomy and the principles of locomotion to students on the association’s Masters course.
Describing her objectives as a teacher involved in veterinary physiotherapy, she says: “Veterinary anatomy is a vital and dynamic subject and it is important to guide the student’s developing powers of observation and their ability to relate the subject to the husbandry and care of living animals.”
Lady Willoughby de Broke is a lifelong horsewoman who attended Pony Club and hunted before enjoying a successful career in eventing, competing at Badminton in 1985. Now living with her family in Warwickshire, she still enjoys eventing.
Welcoming each to their new NAVP roles, NAVP director of education Dr Gail Williams said: “To have Dr Kempson, who is such a well-respected figure in veterinary circles, taking on the role of our president is a huge endorsement of the work we are doing to promote veterinary physiotherapy.
“Lady Willoughby de Broke also brings a special perspective to the role as a successful eventer who understands the importance of promoting equine fitness from the owner and rider’s point of view. She is a great supporter of the NAVP and the work we are doing to ensure that both the veterinary profession and owners are able to rely on properly qualified physiotherapy professionals.
“Along with the launch of the Harper Adams Masters course, these appointments underscore our professional standards and the recognition of our role by the broader veterinary world.”
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