This Postgraduate Certificate equips qualified osteopaths with the knowledge and skills to apply their training to the evaluation, treatment and management of animals.

Taught by the Osteopathic Centre for Animals (OCA) and validated by the UCO, the course focuses on the osteopathic examination, evaluation and treatment of equines and canines, but the principles can be used to apply to other animals.

You will learn about the behaviour, psychology and interactions of animals, their working and/or recreational environment and the implications this may have on their physical and psychological health. On completion you will have an applied understanding of functional anatomy, conformation and biomechanics and a critical understanding of how these relate to gait, force transference and the life of the animal.

Course content includes a combination of lectures, small group discussions, animal dissection, the integration of patho-physiology and pathology, and practical sessions at local kennels and stables.

Key course features

• This one-year credit bearing course will enable you to build on your existing knowledge and clinical skills so that you can work within the field of animal osteopathy and enable you to confidently treat a range of small and large animals.
• The course features a mixture of lectures and discussion based work and has a strong emphasis on practical sessions in order to promote deep learning of the range of clinical skills and expertise necessary to work in this interesting area.
• You will learn about common patho-physiological and pathological changes in animals and how this may relate to your osteopathic evaluation.
• You will be able to explore current thinking on areas such as animal welfare, animal husbandry and farriery and how these may relate to your osteopathic understanding.
• You will explore the legal and ethical responsibilities of an osteopath working with animals your role in animal welfare is a central part of the course. This will be covered in theoretical sessions and embedded during the many practical sessions so that you develop inherent good practice in this field.
• Practical sessions include dissection work and a significant amount of time spent working with a range of dogs and horses in different stables and kennels, enabling you to develop your skills as an osteopath working with animals.
• Teaching staff are all highly experienced in the field of animal osteopathy and have been teaching nationally and internationally.
• The course is delivered on a part-time basis enabling you to continue with work and other commitments.

Careers & employability

Graduates who complete this course will be sufficiently confident and competent to apply their skills and expertise to the osteopathic treatment of animals. This may be as a sole practitioners, as part of a larger osteopathic team or as part of a team of healthcare professionals working with animals, such as a veterinary practice.