STAAR Conference is proud to announce our Instructors
Ilaria Borghese
Lead Instructor
MS, MA, OT
Founder & President | Thera-Paw, Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO | STAAR Conference
Founder & CEO | Vital Vet, LLC
Ilaria Borghese brings more than 25 years of experience spanning scientific research, clinical practice, product innovation, and veterinary education. Her work has focused on bridging these disciplines to develop practical solutions that improve animal mobility, rehabilitation, and quality of life.
Ilaria earned her MS in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut and served as Clinical Coordinator for the Brain Research Center at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC. She later continued her research at Yale University School of Medicine, publishing articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, before earning her MA in Occupational Therapy from New York University.
Inspired by the mobility challenges of her own Greyhound, Ilaria founded Thera-Paw, Inc. in 2001. Working closely with veterinary practitioners, she has developed innovative approaches to custom soft bracing, splinting, and assistive mobility devices for animals with special needs. She teaches internationally and co-authored a chapter on assistive devices, orthotics, prosthetics, and bandaging in the 2013 Wiley textbook Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
In 2010, Ilaria co-founded STAAR (Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation), bringing together leading experts and veterinary professionals for advanced, hands-on education in rehabilitation, sports medicine, and fitness. In 2020, she founded Vital Vet, an online resource connecting veterinary professionals and pet parents with trusted information, innovative products, and educational resources focused on animal mobility, rehabilitation, and wellness.
Ilaria has a longstanding interest in Greyhounds. She has lectured and published articles on paw-related conditions in retired racing Greyhounds and conducted and co-authored one of the largest epidemiological studies on the breed.
Throughout her career, Ilaria has sought to connect scientific knowledge with practical clinical applications, whether through developing assistive devices, collaborating with veterinary professionals, or creating opportunities for hands-on learning. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing animal rehabilitation and helping animals achieve the best possible quality of life.
Lowri Davies
Lead Instructor
BSC (HONS) Equine Studies, L5 Diploma in Canine
Exercise Rehabilitation and Therapy, Diploma Merishia Massage.
Lowri Davies graduated from Bristol Veterinary School in 1992 and developed her interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation whilst working in specialist equine practice.
Lowri completed her IVAS certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture in 1999 and her CCRT accreditation in 2004. In the same year she established the SMART Veterinary Referral Centre – the first specialised sports medicine and rehabilitation clinic for small animals in the UK.
She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2015 and is past president of the British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine association. Her clinics have a large Europe wide client base and Lowri is called upon regularly to lecture internationally on the subject.
Lowri has also contributed to a number of texts on pain management and rehabilitation as well as authoring “Care of the Canine Athlete”. Her main interests are musculoskeletal ultrasound, sports medicine and the management of complex pain cases.
James Guthrie
Lead Instructor
BVM&S MBA CertAVP(GSAS) PgCertVBM CCRT DipECVS DipACVSMR DipECVSMR MAcadMEd FRSB FRSA FRCVS
Dr Guthrie is one of the most highly qualified veterinarians in Europe and the only veterinarian in the UK to be a Diplomate (veterinary equivalent of human consultant surgeon) in both small animal surgery (orthopaedics, soft tissue and neurosurgery) and canine sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Dr Guthrie treats dogs and cats at a specialist veterinary hospital in Surrey; Fitzpatrick Referrals (the site of Channel 4’s ‘The Supervet’). His clinical passion is to maximise patient outcomes with minimally invasive surgery coupled with regenerative medicine and rehabilitation therapies, by using the latest advancements in medical technology.
Dr Guthrie is at the forefront of advanced surgical techniques, specialising in cutting-edge procedures that significantly enhance the quality of life for dogs & cats. With a high case load that spans a broad spectrum of conditions, James excels in the routine and unusual surgical cases. Utilising minimally invasive techniques, arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, joint resurfacing, custom patient-specific implant design, and complex trauma reconstruction.
Dr Guthrie is dedicated to restoring and enhancing the health and mobility of animals through both surgery and non-invasive treatments. With a focus on regenerative therapies, James utilises advanced techniques such as stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and shockwave therapy to accelerate healing and promote tissue repair. Additionally, Dr. Guthrie integrates customised orthotics, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy into comprehensive treatment plans, offering a holistic approach to rehabilitation.
Dr Guthrie trains the next generation of Specialist Surgeons as they complete Residency and Internship programmes at Fitzpatrick Referrals. He is a Guest Lecturer and Clinical Instructor Mentor at the University of Surrey. Dr Guthrie has lectured and shared research results at international and national conferences; along with producing digital Webinars. He was a board member (2023-2026) and co-coordinated the educational conferences for the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association (BVOA). In addition to this Dr Guthrie is a member of the ECVSMR Examination Committee; preparing questions for the Diplomate Examination, and is an Educational Consultant for Arthrex; one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of surgical equipment and implants.
In 2025, Dr Guthrie founded ExamVet. A concierge coaching service to help veterinarians and vet students to pass examinations, so that they can focus more time on helping animals than stressing over their test results.
Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach
Lead Instructor
Amie Hesbach is a doctor of physical therapy with over twenty-five years of experience with human patients and over twenty with small animal patients. She has expertise and experience in the application of manual therapy and facilitation techniques (including PNF and IASTM), corrective functional exercise training, and proprioceptive and neuromuscular retraining in orthopaedic, athletic, and neurologic patients. She has a clinical interest in the application of physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques to maximize the potential for NeuroPlasticity and recovery in her patients.
Dr. Hesbach was educated at the University of Montana (DPT, Physical Therapy), the Medical College of Virginia (MS, Physical Therapy), and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (BS, Biology). She completed a post-graduate NeuroRehabilitation residency in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) at the Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo, California.
Dr. Hesbach is certified in Canine Rehabilitation through both the University of Tennessee and the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Hesbach has published and lectured on both human and animal rehabilitation in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, and Japan and continues to offer webinars and clinical coaching to pet parents and pet physical therapy and rehabilitation colleagues online.
Dr. Hesbach is a past president of the Animal Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She owns and operates EmpowerPhysio, a mobile pet physical therapy and rehabilitation practice near Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Hesbach was honored with the award of the IAVRPT Animal Rehabilitation Practitioner of the Year in 2022.
Jane Oatley
Lead Instructor
Dr. Jane holds over 30 years experience in small animal orthopaedic surgery. Over time, I have also tried to improve my. My job is only done when my patients return to their normal lives as pets, assistance dogs or athletes. She is a very experienced orthopaedic surgeon able to take on more advanced procedures including complicated fracture repairs, arthroscopy and joint surgeries. Dr. Jane also offers in depth work-ups for complicated lameness and pain management. Dr. Jane has specialised her skillset for advanced diagnostics of muscle, tendon and ligament injuries, as well as myofascial pain.
Dr. Jane holds an RCVS Certificate in small animal orthopaedics and in 2016 became one of only a small number of surgeons awarded RCVS advanced practitioner status in this field. She also has a special interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation, and particularly enjoys working-up and managing injuries in agility and working dogs.
Felicity Parris
Lead Instructor
Felicity Parris is an internationally recognised Chartered Physiotherapist and Veterinary Physiotherapist, celebrated for her pioneering contributions to small animal rehabilitation, professional education, and welfare-centred clinical practice. With over 15 years of specialist experience, she has become a trusted voice in advancing standards across the veterinary and canine therapy professions. Felicity is the founder of The Canine Rehab Co and SVPS Education
The Canine Rehab Co operates a mobile physiotherapy and hydrotherapy franchise network, delivering accessible, evidence-based rehabilitation to dogs across Sussex and Kent. Felicity’s clinical work is grounded in excellence, compassion, and a deep understanding of canine biomechanics and functional recovery.
Through SVPS Education, Felicity has built a global platform providing high-quality continuing professional development for veterinary and rehabilitation professionals. Her teaching is known for its clarity, practicality, and ability to empower therapists to elevate their clinical reasoning, refine their hands-on skills, and grow with confidence.
Felicity is also the founder of Wagaway Travel, a lifestyle and travel brand supporting professionals to create balance, adventure, and wellbeing alongside their careers.
Beyond her professional achievements, Felicity is a proud mum of two lively children, supported by her husband and their much-loved Labrador, Bear, who frequently appears in SVPS webinars and educational content as a patient and charismatic demo dog.
Elena Saltis
Lead Instructor
Elena graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine with a degree
in Physical Therapy. She went on to establish PhysiotherapyNZ Limited, a
successful multi-clinic physiotherapy practice in the South Island of New Zealand.
In 2009, Elena earned her postgraduate qualification as a Certified Canine
Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) in
the USA. She continued to expand her expertise through extensive advanced
postgraduate education and training, and subsequently became an instructor for
CRI.
Combining her background in human physiotherapy with her passion for animal
rehabilitation, Elena founded Animal PhysioNZ Limited, a multi-clinic animal
physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice in New Zealand. She also established
Animal Orthopaedics Surgery, comprising two specialist veterinary orthopaedic
surgical clinics.
An experienced international educator and speaker, Elena has taught and presented
extensively around the world, delivering advanced courses, practical workshops,
clinical internships and conference presentations. She is passionate about
advancing the field of animal rehabilitation and sharing her clinical knowledge,
expertise and hands-on skills with fellow professionals.
Beyond her clinical and educational work, Elena is deeply committed to animal
welfare and philanthropy. She established a rehabilitation clinic within a Galgo
rescue sanctuary in Spain, providing specialised rehabilitation care to rescued dogs.
She also founded Street Tails, a charitable initiative dedicated to providing veterinary
care, essential supplies and ongoing support for the pets of people experiencing
homelessness. Elena is also involved in the Canine NeuroPark Charity Trust, a
specialised canine rehabilitation park.
Throughout her career, Elena has been driven by a commitment to improving the
quality of life of animals, advancing clinical standards and inspiring the next
generation of animal rehabilitation professionals. Her enthusiasm for teaching,
sharing knowledge and promoting excellence in rehabilitation remains at the heart of
her work.
Deb Torraca
Lead Instructor
Dr. Debbie Torraca began her career in human physical therapy (PT) and specialized in orthopedics, sports medicine, and pain management. With a solid foundation in human PT, she has adapted her skills (including her expertise in the Mulligan Technique) to her work with animals. Dr. Torraca is a pioneer in the field of canine physical rehabilitation and is a core faculty member of the NC State Veterinary School’s Certified Companion Animal Therapy (CCAT) program. She also founded and heads the Certified Canine Manual Therapy (CCMT) program at UTN.
Following her doctorate in Physical Therapy from UTN-Chattanooga, she transitioned to her work with animals and has been practicing canine rehabilitation for more than 25 years.
Dr. Torraca has authored many chapters in veterinary textbooks and writes for professional journals and magazines dedicated to the dog enthusiast. She has been a speaker and instructor at many veterinary conferences including the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT), American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC), and Western States Veterinary Conference (WSVC). She sits on the advisory board for Companion Animal Health and has been a key speaker at the American International Medical Laser Association.
Dr. Torraca is a longtime member of American Physical Therapy Association Special Interest Group (APTA-SIG) and has held the office of President. She is also a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). She is an active member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, the American Bullmastiff Association, the Clumber Spaniel Club of America, and various other local dog clubs and organizations including the Connecticut Police Canine Unit.
Alex Collins
Assistant Instructor
Alex owns and runs Flexidog Therapy and Training Workshops where she specialises in Canine Functional Osteopathy, Exercise Rehabilitation and Fitness programs for sports and working dogs. She is an active competitor in agility for the past 19 years and has recently qualified her springer spaniel, Fergus, for the ABC semi-finals at the London International Horse show in 2026. Alex creates content for and teaches on the L4 Gatehouse Canine Physical Trainer Course. She is also a significant contributor to ‘Conditioning Your Canine’, an online exercise fitness and rehabilitation tool for practitioners to help their client achieve successful clinical outcomes with dog training tips.
Alex brings her enthusiasm for positive dog training, clinical reasoning with theoretical and practical knowledge of sports and working dogs to develop, support and enthuse canine therapists.