“I wish everyone could have a pet,” said pet physiotherapist Sara Capesciotti.

As a human of a beautiful dog, I know why Sara wishes that everyone could have a pet. But out of curiosity I still asked her, why?

“Because pets can heal our souls. My pets have helped me to recover from depression. They make me laugh even on the worst of days. Sometimes our job can be very challenging for our mental health, we see animals suffering and their owners very sad. Some days can be very stressful. Even on such days my pets help me to not only get by but even smile.”

Also read: Caring for animals is extremely fulfilling

Did you grow up with dogs? What are your earliest memories of having a pet at home?

Sara: Yes, I grew up with Max a Golden Retriever. My family got him when I was 6 years old. Since I’m a single child, Max was my sibling and my best friend too. He passed on when I was at the second year of university, which was perhaps one of the most heart-breaking experiences I’ve gone through. I also remember when we adopted our first kitten. I was 5 years old then. The kitten was black in colour, and we named her Momi. I cried when I touched her for the first time. All those videos you see of children crying while welcoming their pets home are so true. Momi lived with us for 13 years.

What brought you to the UAE? How long have you been here?

Sara: I came to UAE in 2018 when I found a very stimulating job in Blue Oasis Veterinary Clinic. Plus, my boyfriend was here too.

Do you have pets here in the UAE?

Sara: I have not one but two pets. I’ve recently adopted a Saluki called Suki the Slim. He is five years old and fully white in colour. Suki was found in the desert last summer by one of my clients. He was the saddest dog when I first met him, but now he is the happiest. Such a funny creature that sometimes I call him ‘freccia’ that in English means dart as he is a super-fast runner. I also have Halloumi Cheese, my rescued cat with the biggest eyes and small ears. Sometimes I call him Cheeseburger because he is chubby.

You are a physiotherapist for animals. Did you always aspire to do what you are doing now?

Sara: Since I was a kid, my dream was to become a vet, and I made it. I couldn’t be anything else. In fact, I had the opportunity to train dogs for pet therapy and work with them in hospitals. But in the end, I was more passionate about veterinary nursing. And then once I started my internship in a rehabilitation centre for animals, I understood it was exactly what I always wanted to do.

What do you like the most about your job?

Sara: My job is very rewarding. I can’t explain how I feel every time I see one of my paralysed patients starting to walk again.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Sara: The most challenging part about my job is the teamwork with surgeons and owners that is a must if I want my patients to succeed during the physiotherapy path.

Sara Capesciotti, Physiotherapist, Blue Oasis Veterinary Clinic [Dubai, UAE]