Hannah Capon speaks with PhD researcher Georgia Wells about functional mobility in dogs—what it really means, how it differs from lameness, and why current tools like CBPI and LOAD only scratch the surface. Georgia shares the path from dog grooming to academia, her current research on developing a functional mobility scale for caregivers to use at home, and why assessing everyday activities like toileting, eating, and play could be key to detecting problems earlier. A must-listen for anyone invested in chronic pain, early OA detection, or environmental modification.

Georgia Wells is a PhD candidate with Scotland’s Rural College and the University of Edinburgh, researching functional mobility in dogs. Her background spans zoology, locomotion studies (including pangolins!), and hands-on grooming experience. This blend of academic and real-world insight informs her work on developing a functional mobility scale that empowers caregivers to notice and act on subtle movement changes in dogs. Georgia is passionate about improving welfare through better owner-led assessment and early detection of compromised mobility.

Key Takeaways

1. ​Functional mobility = more than gait—it’s about how dogs do daily tasks like toileting, eating, and moving between spaces.
2. ​Caregivers are uniquely positioned to notice changes, but they need the right tools and guidance.
3. ​Georgia’s scale is designed to be practical, accessible, and usable at home—unlike current vet-only tools.
4. ​Environmental factors (stairs, flooring, access) often go unnoticed but drastically impact function and comfort.
5. ​Functional changes may signal disease earlier than clinical signs—making this scale a future game-changer.

Useful CAM Tools Mentioned (All in Member Zone):

• ​Chronic Pain Indicator Chart
• ​Suspicion of Chronic Pain Form
• ​Good Day – Bad Day Diary
• ​It’s My Home Too – Environmental Checklist (Home FAST adaptation)

Join the CAM Member Zone

For just £35 per year, get access to CAM’s full library of caregiver tools, printouts, and support materials.

https://caninearthritis.co.uk/the-cam-member-zone/

Get Involved – Participate in Georgia’s Study

Georgia is currently recruiting dogs (healthy and mobility-compromised) to validate her functional mobility scale.

Register your interest: https://static.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/static/common/html/maintenance.html

Or email: georgia.wells@sruc.ac.uk

Read her paper here - https://pure.sruc.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/89957113/1-s2.0-S1090023324000625-main.pdf

Sponsor Acknowledgement

This podcast is sponsored by Zoetis

We’re proud to acknowledge Zoetis for supporting the education of veterinary and allied professionals, including through their sponsorship of the Chronic Pain Symposium (CPS).

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Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.