WHEN an animal-loving Spa graduate moved into her chosen profession it wasn't long before she honed her skills to also help patients with four-legs.

Twenty-five-year-old chiropractor Charlotte Hurst can now boast to treating an extremely varied range of patients. After all, how many people will treat your pet after they have treated you?

Even though Charlotte, who is based in Himbleton, near Droitwich Spa, qualified in human chiropody just over a year ago, it was not long before her attention moved to animal care as well.

Charlotte has been around animals from a very young age and has ridden horses ever since she can remember. Even now she spends her free time training three point-to-point thoroughbreds.

She regularly treats human patients and offers a full health check at her consultations. She helps people with general aches and pains to more serious conditions.

However, it is now animals that take up a lot of her time, as she told the Advertiser.

"It was a natural progression to move from people to animals. My work also helps me train horses. For an animal to perform to the best of its ability it needs good motion in all of its joints," she said.

After completing her four-year course in Oxford and then specialising in animal chiropody, Charlotte has now set up her own business at Saldon's Farm in Himbleton. She also offers house calls for her patients.

She is currently treating a child with hip problems and helping a patient with Parkinson's. She treats cats and dogs, as well as bigger animals like horses and even cows.

"The business was slow to start with, but word has started to get around," she said.

"So far I have not had anyone wanting me to treat both them and their pet at the same time - but I could."

Charlotte also believes that it is important to maintain good flexibility in joints and to be aware of bad posture which can lead to other aches and pains. She also offers free spinal checks to her patients.

She now hopes her business will go from strength to strength and is planning to work with vets in the town.

"I think it is quite rare that I can treat animals and people, especially in the Droitwich area," she added.

If it's you or your pet that has the occasional aches and pains Charlotte can be contacted on 07717495133.