Heather Whitfield

In 2005, the idea of Paws-itive Paws-abilities was born out of a yearning to live a passion and a clear decision to pursue her dream. Heather Whitfield – founder and Managing Member of the company always had a great inclination to work with Animals.  The concept of creating a company that would give every client and companion animal a positive experience relating to care and rehabilitation was a high priority and in order to do that, various possibilities in terms of methods and modalities needed to be put into practise – hence Paws-itive Paws-abilities was the perfect and well-fitting name.  

Heather has been involved in the Companion Animal industry since 2005 when she first started as a puppy handler and then progress to qualify as a dog trainer. She started to present puppy socialization classes and went on to present basic dog obedience training classes… and was hooked for life! In 2007 she qualified as a canine Behavourist and in 2008 as a Tellington Touch Practitioner.  During the same period, she studied in the UK and qualified as a Canine Hydrotherapist. By 2009, Heather had completed her studies and apprenticeship and opened Paws-itive Paws-abilities. 

The initial business strategy was to have Animal Hydrotherapy and Rehabilitation as a core business and develop secondary businesses which are all one way or another related thereto. Once most of the systems and processes were developed, the plan was to open a Centre of Excellence.  This dream came full circle, when Heather could purchase the perfect property and open a facility which is by all standards world class.  

Today Paws-itive Paws-abilities it is a well-known “Centre of Excellence”. The Centre caters for an array of Companion Animal related entities which include a fully-fledged Veterinary Physiotherapy Practice, Step-down Clinic, Pre- and Post-Operative Rehabilitation, a Hills dog training school and behaviour practice just to name a few.  

Paws-itive Paws-abilities is a state-of-the-art companion animal Rehabilitation Facility for Veterinary Physical Therapy. This established business is situated on a beautiful and tranquil property in Clubview, Centurion and the business has been in operation since January 2008, registered as a Closed Corporation.  Paws-itive Paws-abilities is a formal registered SMME supporting the Veterinary Industry through internships and animal care support.  It is a critical supportive Rehabilitation and Ethology Agency and functions in close collaboration with 95% of Gauteng’s Specialist Veterinary Hospitals (situated in close proximity to the practice) and 5% private referrals who seek this niche service to improve the quality of their pets’ health and behaviour.

Heather is an Accredited by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) as a Veterinary Physiotherapist and is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee (UT) and Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning (VAHL). She is Inaugural and Life Member of SAAPRA (South African Animal Physical Rehabilitation Association) and IAVRPT (International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy)