Laura Buckey has been with Clent Hills Vets since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2009. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, you will know she’s a super calm and collected character – just as well, as she’s now trained to stick special needles in your pet to help them feel better…
Don’t be alarmed, Laura is practising acupuncture, an ancient yet progressive form of medicine that is safe for pets as well as people and has many benefits. Keep reading to learn more about veterinary acupuncture and why Laura is a huge fan.
Who is Laura Buckey?
Laura Buckey, Veterinary Surgeon BVetMed MRCVS, is a highly experienced and skilled member of the Clent Hills clinical team. She loves nothing more than being ‘scrubbed in’ and performing life-changing surgery. Laura explains, “I love surgery because you are essentially fixing an animal that is depending on your skills and care. You can see an immediate improvement and really benefit the animal.”
Laura is another of Clent Hills’ Vets that performs laparoscopic spays and highly recommends this non-invasive alternative to traditional methods.
Why did Laura become a Vet?
Growing up, Laura was always surrounded by dogs. Her Dad always had working dogs around the house and he bred their beloved springer spaniels. It was her love of dogs that inspired Laura to become a vet.
Today, Laura has two cats and two springers of her own. Carrying on the family tradition, Laura’s dog Amber is mum to Roscoe, Penny, April, Peanut and Woodstock, who are all loving pets of her Clent Hills’ colleagues.
How Laura got started with veterinary acupuncture
Laura used to suffer from long-standing back problem sciatica, for around 18 months following her return to work after having her first child. When she became pregnant with her second child and being unable to take painkillers, Laura tried acupuncture and was surprised at the results – her sciatica pain was cured and she was now virtually pain-free.
Having experienced the tremendous benefits of acupuncture, Laura wanted to see for herself if this popular treatment for humans could help animals suffering from chronic pain.
Recognised by the ABVA
Laura underwent an intensive ABVA recognised training course in October last year and learned why acupuncture is so beneficial for pets, as well as how and when to administer it. She has been working with a number of Clent Hills’ pets since with some really positive results. See how spaniels Diesel and Vinnie are getting on.
The ABVA (Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists) maintains a basic standard of education, ethics, practice and discipline to ensure the wellbeing of pets receiving acupuncture under veterinary care.
What is veterinary acupuncture?
We asked Laura to explain:
“In a nutshell, veterinary acupuncture is a complementary form of therapy that can be used alongside your pet’s current course of treatment to relieve pain, improve recovery rates, increase resistance to disease and assist with some behavioural issues. With the right results, acupuncture can significantly improve symptoms and may be able to decrease your pet’s reliance on medication.”
“Acupuncture blocks pain signals, stimulates cells, increases circulation and produces the body’s natural painkiller hormones amongst other benefits. It works with many major body systems and can be used to treat conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disease, skin conditions, nerve disorders and some behavioural issues to name a few. Acupuncture can be carried out on most cats, dogs and rabbits without any discomfort or distress. I’ve seen some pets even fall asleep during treatment.”
Find out more and read our Frequently Asked Questions about veterinary acupuncture.