Who we are

Hi, I’m Dr Lauren Bleaken, and I’m the face behind Mend Veterinary Rehabilitation. I started Mend as a mobile clinic with the goal of restoring mobility and reducing pain all while building strength in our canine companions.

I’m a qualified & practising veterinarian based in the Wellington region. I graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree in 2012, and I’ve been working as a small animal clinician for nearly 13 years. I am an advanced practitioner in rehabilitation with a Membership to the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. I am the first (and to date only) New Zealand Veterinarian with this qualification.

My deep love of dogs and rehabilitation combined with my background as a veterinarian mean I have a unique perspective on how best to help your companion be their strongest self.

A woman in a vet clinic pharmacy setting wearing a navy scrub top, standing in front of shelves filled with various pet medication bottles and boxes.
Dr Lauren performing laser treatment to a dog's back leg

Our Story…

My journey with rehab started as a personal one, beginning with a serious motor vehicle accident in 2011. I spent months working with amazing physiotherapists who single-handedly helped me regain the ability to walk normally. My love and appreciation of rehab grew quite organically from there, and over the years my love for the field has never stopped growing.

Years later, Winston came into my life. Winston was my beautiful hungarian vizsla, and he is the “why” behind my decision to become a rehab vet. As a middle-aged boy he tore his gracilis muscle in his hindleg while running in a field after a ball. Only a year later he subluxated (partially dislocated) his hip in his other hindleg. Almost overnight Winston went from being the most energetic dog in the world, to becoming quite a creaky (and sad) old man. My goal was to keep Winston feeling good and living his best life as long as possible, and that’s where rehab came in. Together, Winston and I learned what a positive difference veterinary rehabilitation can make in a pet’s life. While Winston is no longer with us, he lives on in my heart and will forever motivate me to keep advocating for our pets mobility needs.

A brown dog with a black collar sitting on green grass with trees in the background.
Coat of arms featuring a shield with a red X, surrounded by stars, a lamp, and a book; flanked by a dog and bull, topped with a centaur holding a wreath.