Animal Physical Therapy

International Open Academy

Physiotherapy helps animals on so many levels. Whether they're recovering from an injury, need pain relief, or require help to become more mobile, your skills in animal physical therapy will be invaluable to them.

Once you've studied our animal care course, you'll be able to:

• know when an animal is in pain
• carry out gentle exercises with animals who have stiff joints
• increase the mobility of joints
• massage pets to build muscle strength and help them relax
• use other therapies, such as heat therapy, to ease joints
• understand animal science and pet anatomy
• use aids and nutritional supplements to help animals

Armed with this knowledge and ability to properly care for animals, you’ll find the right career for you. The UK’s pet-loving nation spends an average of £240 a month on their dog and £100 on a cat. That means there are plenty of potential clients out there for you.

Studying this animal care course online puts you in the driving seat. You decide when to study and from where. You also get to keep hold of your animal care course forever, which means you can refer back to it at any time during your career.

Start on your path to a successful career with animals by studying our Animal Physical Therapy course now.

How is the Animal Physical Therapy course assessed?

By studying this specialist Animal Care course online with IOA, you do not pay an extra fee for sitting an exam or have to wait for a set date to sit an exam. There is a short exam at the end of each module for you to take, You’ll know your score immediately.

Animal Physical Therapy Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

• Benefits of physiotherapy
• Aims of this animal care course
• Disclaimers and contra-indications to home physiotherapy
• What you’ll learn
• Case studies

Module 2: Physiotherapy

• Tissue response to injury
• Reasons to use physiotherapy
• Types of therapy
• Therapy which can be done at home

Module 3: Animal Science And Anatomy For Physiotherapy

• Why learn anatomy for physiotherapy?
• Instructional words
• The names of things
• Fore limp
• Hind limp
• Head and neck
• Back

Module 4: Physio And Your Pet – Assessment

• Principles of Physiology
• Arthritis
• Conditioning after surgical rest
• Elbow problems
• General stiffness
• Hip dysplasia
• Knee problems
• Neck and back problems
• Sore muscles
• Older pets

Module 5: Physio And Your Pet – Action

• Massage
• Joint Movements
• Therapeutic exercise
• Heat Therapy

Module 6: The Bigger Picture

• Assistive devices
• Nutritional supplements
• Pain relief
• Partnership with veterinary professional

• Anyone wishing to start a fulfilling career in animal care and wants to make a great impression at their interview
• Everyone who is looking for a job with animals and wants to know how to care for them properly
• Existing animal care workers, such as dog walkers, pet sitters, kennel workers and groomers who want to handle their four-legged clients correctly
• Anyone interested in going on to study further to pursue a career as a pet physiotherapist, pet physical therapist or pet masseur
• Everyone who handles or owns pets should know how to properly care for them as they get older or if they are injured
• Every animal lover with a desire to understand animal science, anatomy and treatments to care for pets

This Animal Physical Therapy course is open to all, with no formal entry requirements.

• Candidates with an interest in working with animals
• Anyone interested in a career in veterinary medicine or animal care
• Those interested in owning animals, volunteering at animal shelters, or fostering animals.
• Existing animal care workers in pursuit of promotion
• Those seeking to improve the lives of senior pets