Veterinary Physiotherapist
What is the work like?
As a veterinary physiotherapist, or animal physiotherapist, you would assess and treat injuries and movement problems in animals.
You would mainly treat horses and dogs, including both 'working animals' such as race horses and greyhounds, and pets. However, you could also work with other animals such as cats and farm or zoo animals.
Your tasks would typically include:
- planning exercise programmes
- using manual and electro-therapy techniques to reduce pain, increase flexibility and restore normal movement
- giving advice on changes to the animals' environments to help them perform tasks more easily.
You would only be legally allowed to carry out treatment on animals if they are referred by (or with the permission of) a veterinary surgeon.
As veterinary physiotherapists must first qualify in human physiotherapy, many treat both animals and humans. Relatively few treat animals only.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would first need to be qualified and experienced as a chartered physiotherapist in human physiotherapy. See the Physiotherapist profile, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website, for details.
You would then need to qualify in veterinary physiotherapy by completing postgraduate training.
Postgraduate Diploma and MSc courses in Veterinary Physiotherapy are offered by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). For entry to these you need:
- at least two years' post-qualifying experience in human physiotherapy, or
- at least one year's post-qualifying experience and the intention of continuing in full-time employment whilst on the course.
You would have an advantage if you have experience of handling animals before you apply for a postgraduate course.
Alternatively, you may be able to train with a fully qualified (Category A) member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Physiotherapy (ACPAT) and complete the ACPAT education course over a period of two years. In order to do this you must have trainee (Category B) membership of the ACPAT.
When you have completed the training you would be able to apply to upgrade to Category A membership of the ACPAT, and become an independent practitioner.
Visit the ACPAT website for more details.
What further training and development can I do?
On the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy courses you would learn to apply your professional and practical therapy skills as a chartered physiotherapist to working with animals, particularly horses and dogs.
To complete the course you must:
- attend one weekend a month over 18 months at the Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield, Hertfordshire
- complete 25 hours' private study, including completion of assessed coursework.
Successful completion of either the Diploma or MSc would entitle you to become a Category A member of the ACPAT and to use the title veterinary physiotherapist.
Once qualified, you would need to attend Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Physiotherapy (ACPAT) courses and other relevant courses to keep your clinical knowledge and competence up to date. As a ACPAT member you would be expected to show evidence of at least 25 hours continuing professional development (CPD) a year.
If you have an MSc qualification, and want to develop a career in research, you may be able to complete a PhD.
Where can I go for more information?
14 Bedford RowLondon
WC1R 4ED
Tel: 020 7306 6666
North Mymms
Hatfield
Herts
AL9 7TA
Tel: 01707 666333
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Salaries vary enormously for this type of work, and for self-employed private practitioners they will depend on workload. As an example, a survey of ACPAT members showed a wide range of charges for physiotherapy sessions:
- Initial consultations (from 30 minutes to 2 hours) from £20 to £70.50.
- Follow-up consultations (from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours) from £20 to £60.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your work could be full- or part-time, and your hours would be flexible, depending on the needs of clients.
You may carry out treatments in stable yards, the client's home – when treating small animals – or in veterinary surgeries and hospitals.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good powers of observation
- an interest in animals and experience of handling them
- an enquiring mind and an aptitude for science
- good communication skills
- the ability to work in a team with other professionals
- good organisational and administrative skills.
What opportunities are there?
As a veterinary physiotherapist you would usually run your own practice, although there are occasionally opportunities in private practices, large veterinary practices or universities.
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