Anna Bergh

My professional journey is driven by a deep passion for both animals and people. Growing up, I spent formative summers on my uncle’s dairy farm outside Sundsvall. Being with animals and at least 15 people sitting down at the table for well-earned meals was a perfect combination.

A particular interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation led me to initially pursue a career in physiotherapy, working as a human physiotherapist for five years. I then transitioned to veterinary medicine, earning my veterinary degree at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). My PhD focused on equine rehabilitation, encompassing both experimental and clinical studies aimed at defining explanatory models and evaluating clinical efficacy.

Following my doctoral studies, I spent a year conducting research in Sydney, Australia. Upon returning to Sweden, I continued to engage in research and academic teaching at SLU. My international collaborations have included leadership and organizational roles in the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy and the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

I am authorized by the Swedish Board of Agriculture to work as a physical therapist on animals (2012), and a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2018). I have served as the subject chair in Veterinary Nursing, (subarea rehabilitation) at SLU, where veterinary rehabilitation is one of four core focus areas. The spring of 2024, I took office as the internationally first professor in the subject.

Education

• 2018 – Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 2012 – Licensed by the Swedish Board of Agriculture to practice animal physiotherapy
• 2006 – PhD in Anatomy and Histology, SLU, Uppsala
  Thesis: Defocused CO₂ laser irradiation in the rehabilitation of horses – an experimental and clinical study
• 1995 – MSc in Veterinary Medicine, SLU
• 1987 – BSc in Physical Therapy, College of Health, Umeå

Academic appointments

• 2015 – Associate Professor (Docent) in Anatomy with a focus on functional anatomy, SLU

Postdoc, Visiting scholar

• 2008 – Postdoctoral research visit, University of Sydney, Australia

My research is primarily oriented toward clinical applications, encompassing all stages—from funding applications and ethical approvals to study execution, data analysis, and scientific writing.

Main research areas

• Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
• General Veterinary Nursing

A consistent theme in my work is the assessment, treatment, and prevention of pain and physical dysfunction to enhance animal welfare. The field has long lacked objective tools for evaluating treatment efficacy, as well as proof of clinical effects—essential components for advancing evidence-based veterinary practice. The research area covers several topics, with the following examples:

Validation of assessment tools

Our team has worked to validate a range of tools for clinical use:

• Goniometry for passive joint motion in horses and dogs
• Algometry for mechanical pain thresholds
• Pressure-sensitive mats for motion analysis in cats, dogs, and pigs
• Activity monitors for tracking movement in animals and humans
• Inertial measurement units (IMUs) for gait analysis
• Tape and caliper measurements for joint swelling and muscle mass
• Pain and daily activity questionnaires for animals and humans
• Functional tests for assessing complex physical capabilities
• Diagnostic tests for hypermobility

These tools support the integration of objective measurement in daily clinical practice.

Clinical efficacy of rehabilitation methods

Research has evaluated the effectiveness of a variety of therapies, including:

• CO₂ laser therapy
• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Stretching techniques
• Elastic band systems
• LED light therapy
• Massage
• Analgesic pharmaceuticals
• Static magnetic therapy
• Physical exercise

Our findings contribute to clinical decision-making. Notably, our publication on static magnets was recognized by the Equine Veterinary Journal as a key clinically relevant study.

Preventive care and early detection of illness and injury

• Osteoarthritis in cats: Development of diagnostic tools using pressure-sensitive mats, imaging (CT), pain/quality of life questionnaires, and biomarkers. A validated owner-administered questionnaire enhances early detection and welfare outcomes.
• Agility dogs: In collaboration with the University of Helsinki, we study injury prevention and movement analysis to inform safer training protocols.
• Limb health in sows: Kinetic analysis supporting improved breeding for durability and welfare.
• Activity monitoring in cats: A collar-based system tracks behaviors such as drinking and litter box use, aiding early illness detection.

One Health initiative

U Can Move is a multidisciplinary project investigating physical activity in dogs and their owners, including risk factors for type II diabetes and urban planning to promote outdoor movement. The results aim to benefit the health of both species.

Hypermobility in horses

This international collaboration develops improved diagnostic methods and genetic screening tools. Close alignment with human medicine enhances translational potential.

Other research areas

• Hygiene: PhD-led work on clinical hygiene standards and implementation.
• Surgical Mattresses: Comparative studies on pressure injury prevention in equine surgery.
• Injury risk factors: Survey on handlers' perspectives regarding injury risk factors in police dogs.
• Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM): Systematic literature reviews and surveys to provide an evidence-based foundation for decision-making by stakeholders.
• Pedagogics: Implementation of 3D visualization in anatomy teaching; educational research on riding instruction methods.
• Motion analysis in dogs: Development of user-friendly IMU systems for lameness diagnostics.

Available assessment technologies

• Pressure-sensitive mats
• Algometers
• IMUs
• EMG
• Thermistors
• Measuring tapes and calipers
• Activity monitors
• Goniometers (static and dynamic)
• Video system for behavioural studies

Award-winning education and collaborative outreach

I primarily teach veterinary rehabilitation to students across disciplines (veterinary, veterinary nursing, animal science, equine science, physiotherapy) at undergraduate, master's, and postgraduate levels. I have supervised over 100 diploma and master's theses.

Recognition

• VMF Student Prize, 2010
• Veterinary Nursing Student Prize, 2012
• SLU Team Pedagogical Prize, 2022 (as Chair of the Animal Nursing Group)
• Inspector for the Veterinary Student Union

Innovative educational tools

In collaboration with SLU’s Learning Development Centre and the Royal Veterinary College (London), I have developed web-based learning materials in osteology, myology, and palpation. Our team also utilizes a Sectra 3D visualization table—acquired with support from the Swedish Research Council—helping reduce reliance on cadaveric material. This work is in partnership with Linköping University and CMIV, where we serve as a reference center.

I have had and have the following institutional roles: Deputy head of the department of Anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Member of the faculty board and teacher proposal committee. Subject chair in veterinary nursing.

External academic roles

• Faculty Opponent for multiple PhD theses (Australia, UK, Finland, Denmark)
• 2008  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Helen Nicholson VetPT, University of Brisbane, Australia
• 2010  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Lesley Goff VeTPT, University of Brisbane, Australia
• 2012  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Tracy Crook VetPT, Royal Veterinary College, London
• 2015  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Heli Hyytiäinen VetPT, University of Helsinki, Finland
• 2018  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Anne Vitger Vet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2025  Faculty opponent PhD thesis, Kathrine Höjte Dahl Vet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Member of examining committees and review panels
• International conference organizer, speaker, and moderator (>50 scientific presentations)
• Reviewer for 10 international journals

Key international engagements

• Chair, SVS Initiative on Alternative Medicine for Animals, 2013
• Expert, Swedish Animal Welfare Agency Alternative Medicine Committee, 2004–2007
• Member, Swedish Governmental Survey on Alternative Medicine for Animals, SOU 2001:16
• Member and Chair (Committee), European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Past President and Board Member, International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
• Scientific and organizing committee roles for major international conferences, including:
• International Symposium for Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (biannual 2002-2022, chaired the one in Uppsala 2016)
• International Conference on Equine and Canine Locomotion (2012)
• International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (2010, 2014, 2022)
• International Conference on Equitation Science (2012)
• International Conference European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2018, 2022)
• Vennet (2023)