"In January 2021, Elsie was rushed into UCD 
after an accident suffering with a spinal extrusion. Due to the nature of the injury, it was decided the best outcome was to provide conservative care without surgery for her recovery. It took some time as to be expected for Elsie to regain proper use of her hind legs again, and I largely have the work of Maria to thank for how well Elsie managed to recover from this incident.
Maria has helped Elsie regain strength in her legs and most importantly help to manage her chronic pain. It is incredibly evident the difference that physiotherapy makes to Elsie's welfare, as I begin to notice her decline if she has not attended an appointment for some time.
Our appointments also benefit me hugely as Elsie's owner, as Maria has given me invaluable advice on adjustments I can make to help Elsie and to make her life easier such as some exercises I can do at home and reviewing how to improve Elsie's lifestyle such as making sure she has firmer flooring for stability (putting rugs down for grip) and the use of kinesiology tape to support her. One of the issues I really struggled with was getting Elsie into the car as she did not like to be picked up as I believe it was painful for her. Maria came up with a solution for my concerns and provided Elsie with a special handled harness and I can now lift her into the car with ease.
Physiotherapy is definitely the key to ensuring an animal makes a successful recovery from an accident/surgery etc and continues to enjoy a good quality of life.
As Elsie has chronic weakness in her hind legs from her accident and pain, I do not believe she would be able to manage without physiotherapy. The difference in her mobility the day after her appointments is noticeable and providing her with pain relief is not enough of a solution. Looking beyond just pain relief, but how to support her and improve her strength has been key for her longevity.
I do not think that Elsie would still be able to enjoy her walks or have as good a quality of life without the care that she receives at ARC with Maria."
Regards, Zianna & Elise
I just wanted to update you on the progress Ash has made since being in Maria's care from September 2023 - March 2024.
As you know Ash suffered a spinal injury in September 2023 the onset was very sudden & he lost all the use of his back legs.
When we decided to proceed with the surgery I really did not understand the journey that lay ahead in terms of Ash’s rehab & recovery.
I myself suffered a prolapsed disc & paralysis of my foot so had some understanding of the pain Ash was in & assumed his experience might echo mine, have surgery, no more pain, immediately able to bear weight & walk again with some numbness & weakness that settled over time.
I really didn’t understand just how poorly & vulnerable Ash would be post surgery. Bruno performed a miracle working on Ash to remove the pressure on his spinal cord we will forever be grateful for his tremendous skill & expertise.
I remember very clearly our first meeting & I was feeling very low & hopeless for Ash & his future. It felt like maybe I had made the wrong decision to proceed with surgery. I feared his quality of life was so diminished it might be cruel to keep him with us. You Maria were so positive & optimistic & straightforward talking & managed my expectations. The work you did with him twice a week initially for the first few months then moving to once a week was invaluable.
You assessed where he was at, gave me very clear guidance on how much movement & how much rest was required. You sent me home each week with a new piece of equipment & a new movement to practice trying to get nerve endings to reconnect down his spine. You supported me with all the questions & worries I had and I was so far inside the crisis that I wasn’t seeing the small improvements that you noticed & highlighted to me. It was an incredibly slow process but each week you tweaked his movement regime or you did some new strapping to help support him further & eventually we got some movement in his hind legs. We spent the first 6 months fearful of setbacks which did occur.
In a minor way he seemed to lose a little bit of strength at times and he had the bigger set back of having to have his tail amputated by vet Joseph who did an amazing job also. Your support & treatment throughout gave me the confidence to keep pursuing the rehab. It was a full 12 months after his crisis in September 2024 that I felt Ash was living a good quality of life again. He enjoys family life at home. He went on our holidays to Kerry & Wexford and we bought a buggy to allow him join us for the long walks & he gets out & probably over does the zoomies he’s so relieved to have some freedom.
His walk is 90% perfect there is a little drag in his hind legs and he walks at a funny angle, no straight lines for him, but he loves his shorter more frequent walks. He is probably relieved to not have to join me on my cardio walks & now they are all leisurely at his pace exploring the world & all the smells on offer.
We regularly look back on the miracle that he is and are extremely thankful to vet Bruno for his gifted surgical hands and to you Maria for your ability to read an animal so well & know what Ash needed at his lowest moments to support him & help him mobilise pain free. I would have been lost in the months following the surgery without your help. It was a very difficult journey for Ash & me & we are incredibly grateful for all your help.
I hope that you continue to help animals like Ash & their owners navigate this very difficult & challenging path. Keep up the amazing work it’s truly miraculous. Happy New Year to all the team in UCD vet hospital including all the lovely support staff who always were so kind to me at each & every visit."
Kindest regards, Barbara
"Hello, I 
would like to send you some feedback regarding your services, my dog Raki has been going to physio with Maria for about a year and I'm really happy with the results, although Raki has age-relatedarthritis I can definitely see the results of the physiotherapy and so does his vet who always praises how well the dog is doing considering his condition.
He has great mobility and leads a normal life, Maria is a very professional physio and very friendly, she has managed to build a relationship of trust with my dog (who is very shy with strangers). Raki loves her and it is a pleasure to see him happily going to his session with her. She is also a great help to me as she has given me different information and tips on things I can do with the dog to improve his life at home. Its great be able to always have the same professional for the physio sessions, it does make a difference.
The reception team is very professional, friendly and efficient, its very easy to contact them whenever I need to change appointments by just sending an email and the reminders I get via text and email are also very helpful.
Regarding practicalities, the location is easily accessible from the M11, parking is also easy, green area available a few steps away and food/drink available nearby as well. (btw the new waiting area seating looks great)
So many thanks to Maria and all the team and keep up the good work."
Best wishes,
Sandra and Raki
"Dear Colleague
As a veterinary surgeon, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Maria Jose Gomez Sanchez for many years. I frequently refer cats and dogs to her physiotherapy service at the Animal Rehabilitation Centre, UCD. I have seen first-hand the incredible difference she makes in patient recovery and quality of life. I am consistently impressed by her expertise, professionalism, and dedication to improving the well-being of our animal patients.
Maria has a deep understanding of animal anatomy and the various conditions that can affect our patients. Whether it's recovery post spinal trauma or sporting injuries or surgery, management of patients post vestibulitis, strength and conditioning for performance dogs or managing chronic conditions like arthritis, she applies a wide range of therapeutic techniques with great care and skill. The results are often remarkable — our patients experience significant improvements in mobility, pain reduction, overall comfort and well-being.
One of the things I particularly appreciate about working with Maria is her considered approach towards clients and patients alike. Her approach is always patient-centred, and she has a wonderful rapport with both animals and their owners, making the treatment process as stress-free as possible. She keeps me informed throughout the treatment process, providing detailed updates and collaborates closely to ensure the best outcomes for our shared patients.
I wholeheartedly recommend Maria and the Animal Rehabilitation Centre to any veterinarian seeking a highly skilled, compassionate physiotherapist to support their patients' recovery. Her dedication to animal care is unmatched, and I look forward to working with Maria for many years to come."
Yours faithfully,
Dr Mary Geary M.A., M.V.B., M.R.C.V.S.
