About Niamh

BSc (hons), MSc (Phys Pre-reg), PgDip (VetPhys), MiSCP, CORU, ACPAT A

Niamh O’Connor is a Chartered Physiotherapist, specialising in the physiotherapy treatment of horses and dogs. Niamh has extensive training completed, both in human and animal physiotherapy. Niamh started her training by completing a BSc in Sports & Exercise sciences at the University of Limerick. She then went on to complete a MSc in Physiotherapy (pre-registration) at Northumbria University in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Upon qualifying, Niamh worked in musculoskeletal services in the NHS, gaining a wealth of experience in orthopaedics, occupational injuries, chronic pain conditions as well as in sporting settings. Niamh returned home to practice in Ireland in 2020, taking up a role in private practice. It was at this time that she decided to do what she had always dreamed of - train as a veterinary physiotherapist.

She started her postgraduate diploma in veterinary physiotherapy at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire in 2021. This was done part-time and Niamh commuted over and back for her training whilst working full-time with human patients. Niamh completed her training in 2023 and is now a chartered physiotherapist specialising in animals. She continues to see human patients alongside her equine and canine clientele.

Niamh has extensive experience of the equine industry, having been immersed in it from a young age. She participated in showjumping in her teens, however she developed a love for dressage in her twenties. Her passions lie in Classical dressage and “dressage for the horse, not the horse for dressage”. She believes in having respect and compassion for the horse as an athlete. She has a home-produced gelding whom she participates in dressage with and considers him to be her greatest teacher.

Niamh is also dedicated to animal welfare and currently fosters a mare from a rescue. She also has two cocker spaniels who complete her furry family!