Why become an animal osteopath

More than 80 million households across Europe own a pet. Most of them are cats, dogs, or new/exotic pets: rabbits, ferrets, reptiles, etc. A growing number of pet owners are seeking osteopathic treatment: demand is booming. The same is true for horse riders and trainers who have been treating their horses with osteopathy for decades.

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Animal health and well-being are the animal osteopath’s priorities. By means of accurate manipulation techniques, the osteopath relieves aches and pains. They act on a physical as well as physiological and psycho-emotional level. They treat animals suffering from locomotion, digestion, or anxiety issues among others. Animal osteopathy is both curative and preventive. It is a gentle and effective medicine, which presents a major advantage: not affecting the animal’s vital prognosis.

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Osteopathy is at the heart of animal welfare!

What does an animal osteopath* do daily?

• Meeting the animals needing treatment.
• Observing where animals live and how they evolve: state of the facilities, cleanliness, humidity, ventilation, space, quality of the working areas, sunlight, presence of other species, comfort…
• Questioning the owner of the animal: what prompted the consultation, age of the animal, symptoms, triggering events, activity of the animal, known history and possible treatments, professionals caring for the animal. Identifying possible contraindications and veterinary emergencies.
• Identifying cases that need to be managed by another health professional.
• Observing the animal and conducting static examination (general body condition, posture,
  and behaviour).
• Performing a full palpatory examination of the animal.
• Performing a dynamic examination of the animal to identify locomotor abnormalities.
• Performing mobility tests linked with palpatory, static and dynamic examination of the animal.
• Giving an osteopathic diagnosis and suggesting a treatment option.
• Providing post consultation advice.
• Managing their activity (at their surgery or as an on-site self-employed worker).

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Once you graduate

Whether for equine, canine or feline osteopathy, there is increasing demand for osteopathic care and practitioners.

Animal osteopaths* are typically self-employed workers. Some osteopaths* are salaried workers in structures such as:

• stables and stud farms, (breeding) farms, with private individuals helping to care for their pets (cats and dogs) and new/exotic pets (ferrets, rabbits, rats, reptiles…),

• leisure facilities: zoos, reservations, parks, educational farms, shows…,
• charities such as animal shelters.

Animal osteopaths* can also act as teachers, lecturers, or experts for different entities: animal osteopathy schools, professional agricultural unions, specialised institutes, agricultural colleges, farmers’ cooperative…

Fees for consultations usually range between €60 (£50) and €110 (£90) depending on whether the appointment takes place at the osteopath practice or with the owner.