If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, or you suspect they might be struggling, you’ll know how overwhelming it can feel. The ten-minute vet appointment isn’t always enough. The information online can be confusing, contradictory, or simply too generic to be useful. And watching your dog slow down, stiffen up, or lose their spark is genuinely hard.
Dr Hannah Capon understands this better than most.
A moment that changed everything
One afternoon in the clinic, Hannah had to euthanise two otherwise healthy dogs in back-to-back consultations, as a result of chronic pain from arthritis that could no longer be managed. Combined with her own dog, Holly being diagnosed with arthritis, it made her stop and reflect that so much more could be done to improve the quality of life for dogs living with this condition.
That moment became the foundation for everything that followed.
CAM – Canine Arthritis Management – was born, and with it, Hannah’s lifelong passion to educate both canine caregivers and professionals in the early identification and multimodal management of arthritis in dogs.
From a Facebook page to a global resource
CAM began as a simple Facebook page in 2015 where Hannah promoted earlier identification of osteoarthritis and thorough multimodal management plans. It has since grown into a flourishing service run by a team of veterinary professionals.
The community Hannah built, including a Facebook group called Holly’s Army, gave thousands of dog owners somewhere to turn. CAM’s goal has always been to make caring appropriately for your dog with arthritis as stress free as possible, helping you to enjoy your time together.
Her work has been widely recognised. Hannah was awarded the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Welfare Award 2025, the 2020 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Impact Award, and the 2019 CEVA Vet of the Year.
The Pain Vet gives you expert support from your sofa
The Pain Vet is Hannah’s next step: a dedicated one-to-one consultation service for dog owners navigating chronic pain and arthritis. It was created because, as Hannah puts it, she was frustrated by the confines of time available with clients knowing more could be done for the dogs in her care.
The service works in partnership with your existing vet, not instead of them. You’ll receive a personalised consultation with a leading veterinary professional available both online and, for those in Somerset, in person, covering medication, supplements, lifestyle adaptations, and home modifications tailored specifically to your dog.
Every appointment includes access to exclusive resources, the Canine Arthritis Management Essentials course for caregivers, and twelve months’ access to the CAM Member Zone. A session report is also sent directly to your own vet, keeping everyone on the same page.
The Pain Vet team includes Hannah alongside Dr James Hunt, Dr Katie Smithers, and veterinary nurse Evie Tummon, each bringing specialist expertise in pain management, rehabilitation, and geriatric care.
Why this matters for dog welfare
Arthritis in dogs is as, if not more, prevalent than in people, but it is not only related to age, and too many owners miss the early warning signs.
Subtle changes in behaviour, posture, or movement are often dismissed as a dog “just getting older.” Hannah’s work exists to challenge that assumption and to give owners the knowledge and support to act sooner.
Through The Pain Vet, Hannah offers longer, more in-depth consultations than the traditional fifteen-minute vet slot, allowing her to link to a wide array of CAM resources and deliver truly contextual care, whilst reaching owners from around the world.
Hannah is also the organiser of the Chronic Pain Symposium 2026, and in a landmark first, this year’s event is opening its doors to dog caregivers alongside veterinary professionals, giving owners direct access to specialist-led sessions on canine chronic pain.
Watch The Pain Vet video to learn more about how the service works
Find out more about The Pain Vet
If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, or you’re concerned about pain and want expert guidance, The Pain Vet is a genuinely remarkable resource. You can learn more and book a consultation at thepainvet.co.uk.
You can also tune in and listen to our podcast episode with Hannah and learn all about the early signs of arthritis, pain, behaviour & how to help your dog.
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