Meet the RAMP Council

Jo is a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in the treatment of equines, she is primarily a clinician with a background in training event and point-to -point horses, she has a BHSAI qualification, has been a registered Centred Riding Coach and listed BD Dressage judge. She was at the forefront of developing the whole horse rehabilitation model used in many sectors today. She has a special interest in the prevention of injury and treats hairy ponies and elite equines with equal care and attention.

I am a newly qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist from Hartlepool. Qualifying as an ACPAT Vet Physio in June I opened my own clinic in September this year, North East Veterinary Physiotherapy with the focus to specialise in small animals. For all I have not been in practice long, I do have significant transferable skills from previous professions such as the retail and the education sectors. I am confident that all these skills that I can bring to RAMP and support the development of the organisation.

Vav Simon DC AMC FRCC, Past President of RAMP is a Doctor of Chiropractic for both humans and animals. As a long-qualified practitioner, she has both lectured and examined on the course that trained her and has many years’ experience sitting on council for the professional association. As past President of the McTimoney Chiropractic Association animal group and past Director of Academic Affairs of the Royal college of Chiropractors Animal Faculty she gained the knowledge and skills to found RAMP.

Alice is a member of the NAVP she completed her MSc. Veterinary Physiotherapy at Harper Adams after a BSc. Equine Science degree at Hartpury.
Alice runs a busy Equine physiotherapy business in South Somerset treating a wide range of horses and enjoys the variety an average week can bring. She has a particular interest in the use of evidence-based electrotherapies and is a keen eventing enthusiast, enjoying competing herself at low level and supporting clients on their competition journeys.

Amanda Stears MSc Professional and Higher Education, BSc (Hons) formerly Physiotherapy Lecturer and MSc Placement co-ordinator Physiotherapy in the Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Radiography Division. Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh. Amanda developed BSc and MSc modules within her faculty.
Having served a double term as Education Officer ,Amanda is now Education Consultant for RAMP.

Su has been a higher education teacher and researcher for 30 yrs. Working in two universities at senior levels. Su is a qualified Nurse and has a doctorate in education, many of her roles have involved curriculum planning, teaching, quality assurance and leadership for professional health courses in the UK and overseas. Su is an experienced qualitative researcher and has published books and journal articles.
More recently she was a faculty Director of Equality and Diversity at Northumbria University.

Emma was Chair of the Royal College of Chiropractors Animal Faculty, following on from many years on the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association managing committee, working with different governments internationally to get chiropractic for animals recognised and regulated throughout the world.
Having taught Animal Chiropractic from 2006 to 2020, and various other far ranging animal based subjects for many years, she was Team GB Agility Chiropractor from 2009 - 2015.

Marisa is a chiropractor working in private practice treating both humans and animals. She has been an experienced lecturer and examiner at post-graduate level.
She sat on the GCC Council, Education Committee and Investigating Committee.
She was key in creating the RCC Animal Faculty and was Director of the RCC CPD and was past Chairman of the Animal Faculty and MCA Animal Group.
She was founder of a multidisciplinary Clinic treating both humans and animals in 1997, selling it in 2020 although she continues to work there.

Holly has worked in equine clinical practice for over 15 years, initially in the Greater Manchester area and then returning home to Scotland. Practicing first in Lanarkshire, she completed her post-graduate certificate in ‘Equine Internal Medicine’, becoming a recognised Advanced Practitioner in this subject in 2016. During her time in Lanarkshire, Holly taught final year students from Glasgow University and during the season, was also on-duty for flat racing at Hamilton. Holly then moved to Central Equine Vets in 2019, becoming partner in 2022. She enjoys all aspects of ambulatory work and its wide-ranging nature, particularly the investigation of ‘poor performance ‘cases and geriatric care. Holly recognises the importance of professionals across all disciplines working together to ensure optimum equine health and welfare and her involvement with RAMP will help continue to foster these good working relationships.

Sarah Sharp Mchiro, PDAC, MRCC, LRCC (Animal)
After 20 years of working in the city for a top tier investment bank Sarah finally escaped and pursued her passion for helping people and their animals. Sarah is a Doctor of Chiropractic for both Humans and animals. Having graduated from the McTimoney college of chiropractic Sarah then went on to study animals and graduated as a Veterinary Chiropractor from Options for Animals in the UK. Sarah is registered with GCC, MCA, IVCA, BVCA and RAMP.
Having owned and competed horses across a variety of disciplines over the years Sarah has a keen interest in looking after both the horse and rider and the interaction between them. Sarah is extremely passionate about providing the very best care for animals and is keen to further the research base and raise awareness of the high standards of RAMP registered musculoskeletal practitioners for animals both large and small, helping to drive the profession forward.
Presently Sarah overseas the Application process for RAMP.

Miriam Main BVM&S MRCVS

Miriam graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 2010. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in a variety of veterinary practices, including charity work in the Cook Islands, mixed practice in Cornwall, feline-only clinics in Edinburgh, and emergency out-of-hours services.

In 2024, Miriam founded her own independent veterinary practice in Edinburgh. Her practice combines traditional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, Western herbal medicine, regenerative medicine, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy. Miriam is deeply passionate about using these integrative approaches to help her patients lead comfortable, active lives—supporting them through illness, injury, and their senior years.

Miriam resides in Edinburgh with her husband, children, a sweet Fell pony, a grumpy ginger cat, and a lively Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Julia qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1983, joining a practice that encompassed both human and animal osteopathy. She completed a master’s degree in osteopathic medicine in 2002.
She has lectured nationally and internationally at postgraduate level and has been involved in master’s programmes and postgraduate diplomas in both the development stages and as an external examiner for the University of Wales.
She has published research papers and co-authored books on the subject of osteopathy for animals, including publication of Osteopathy and the Treatment of Horses.

Sonya is a Chartered Physiotherapist with a private practice treating both humans and animals in North Wiltshire.
As one of the Founders of RAMP and the inaugural President she was heavily involved in RAMPs early years and creation. Her passion for raising standards and publicising RAMPs aims and objectives, means that she is still involved in PRevents and helping RAMP run smoothly by providing constitutional advice.
As a clinician her main field of expertise has become the care and mobilisation of the equine spine for all equines from happy hackers to elite athletes.

Emily graduated from Writtle University College with an Integrated Master’s Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. During the duration of her degree, Emily gained a particular interest in how physiotherapeutic techniques have a positive impact on an animal’s biomechanics. Following the completion of her degree Emily gained her level 3 certificate to provide treatment plans incorporating both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. As well as being RAMP registrant, Emily is also a member of NAVP and IRVAP.

Nicola’s journey into animal care began at a young age, growing up on a farm surrounded by animals of all sizes. This early foundation taught her a deep respect for animal health and instilled a desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives through specialised and compassionate treatment. Nicola graduated from the University of Greenwich in Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, followed by further studies at McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Animal Manipulation.