A clear explanation for dog owners

You may come across the term “Specialist” when exploring veterinary services, including areas such as sports medicine and rehabilitation.

It’s an important title with a specific meaning, so we feel it’s helpful to explain how it is used—and how it relates to this area of care.

What is a Veterinary Specialist?

In the UK, the title “Specialist” is protected by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

It can only be used by veterinary surgeons who have completed a defined training pathway and are included on the RCVS Specialist Register.

This typically involves:

• Several years of additional supervised training (residency)
  
  
• Advanced qualifications at diploma level
  
  
• Formal assessment and examination
  
  
• Ongoing review to maintain Specialist status
  
  

This ensures the title is used consistently and accurately across the profession.

How this relates to sports medicine and rehabilitation

Veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation focuses on supporting dogs with movement, function, and physical performance—whether recovering from injury or maintaining long-term mobility.

This may include:

• Pain and lameness
  
  
• Musculoskeletal conditions
  
  
• Post-operative recovery
  
  
• Mobility and functional movement
  
  
• Conditioning and support for active or working dogs
  
  

It is a developing and evolving area of veterinary care. Clinicians working in this field often undertake a range of postgraduate training alongside their clinical work, contributing to a growing body of knowledge and practice.

Our position at The Renew Centre

At The Renew Centre, we do not use or describe our team as Specialists.

We are a referral rehabilitation centre working within the field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, alongside primary care veterinary surgeons.

This means:

• Dogs are referred by their vet
  
  
• Care is delivered in collaboration with the referring practice
  
  
• Treatment plans are designed to complement ongoing veterinary care
  
  

Maintaining this collaborative approach supports continuity, clear communication, and patient wellbeing.

Our clinical focus

Our work is dedicated to supporting dogs with:

• Pain and lameness
  
  
• Musculoskeletal injury
  
  
• Rehabilitation and recovery
  
  
• Sports and performance support
  
  

We see these cases regularly and often follow them over time, allowing us to monitor progress and adapt plans as needed.

Training and professional development

Our team has undertaken postgraduate training across areas including:

• Canine rehabilitation
  
  
• Diagnostic imaging
  
  
• Veterinary acupuncture
  
  
• Hydrotherapy
  
  
• Chiropractic care
  
  

We continue to engage in ongoing professional development to ensure our approach remains informed by current knowledge and clinical practice.

A collaborative approach to care

Rehabilitation is most effective when it forms part of a wider clinical plan.

We work closely with referring veterinary surgeons to:

• Share findings and progress updates
  
  
• Adapt plans where appropriate
  
  
• Support each dog’s individual needs over time
  
  

This joined-up approach reflects our commitment to partnership-led care and long-term wellbeing.

In summary

• “Specialist” is a protected title in UK veterinary medicine
  
  
• It can only be used by those recognised by the RCVS
  
  
• We do not use this title
  
  
• We provide focused support within veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation
  
  
• Care is delivered as part of a collaborative veterinary approach
  
  

If you would like to understand whether rehabilitation may support your dog, your veterinary surgeon can advise on the most appropriate next steps.