Animal Therapy - BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

This three-year veterinary physiotherapy program emphasizes practical skills and focuses on horses and dogs. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical placements and access to dedicated therapy centers. The program prepares graduates for careers as equine or canine massage therapists or veterinary physiotherapists, as well as related fields in animal welfare, rehabilitation, and research.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Modules in the first year include:
• Introduction to Veterinary Physiotherapy Assessment
• Anatomy and Physiology with Applied Surface Anatomy (Canine)
• Nutrition, Behaviour, Ethics and Welfare
• Study Skills
• Modules in the second year include:
• Canine and Equine Hydrotherapy and First Aid
• Research Methods
• Introduction to Manual Therapies and Remedial Exercise
• Exercise Physiology
• Functional Anatomy
• Introduction to Animal Biomechanics
• Animal Health, Disease and Pain Management
• Modules in the third year include:
• Capstone Project
• Business and Client Management
• Applied Clinical Anatomy
• Applied Massage and Rehabilitation Techniques
• Veterinary Pathophysiology and Biomechanics

Assessment:

• Assessment methods include:
• Assignments
• Reports
• Written examinations
• Observed structured practical examinations
• Observed structured clinical examinations
• Oral presentations
• Debates
• Dissertation

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include:
• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Practical classes
• Clinical placements
• Faculty includes:
• Veterinary surgeons
• Nutrition and behaviour specialists
• Biomechanists
• Staff qualified in veterinary physiotherapy, animal manipulation (McTimoney), massage and myofascial release
• Unique approaches include:
• Emphasis on practical skills
• Focus on horses and dogs
• Access to dedicated canine and equine therapy centres, a small animal unit, and a working farm

Careers:

• Potential career paths include:
• Equine or canine massage therapist
• Veterinary physiotherapist
• Graduates may also work in related industries, such as:
• Animal welfare
• Animal rehabilitation
• Animal research

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

UK students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)

• £9,250

International students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)

• £13,900

Additional course and living costs

• Riding hat or skull cap that meets current safety standards: Cost not specified
• Suitable smart clothing (plain navy or black trousers) for working around horses including waterproofs: Cost not specified
• Pens and pencils: Cost not specified
• Notebook or paper for note-taking: Cost not specified
• Re-take fees for practical exams (OSPEs): £20 per attempt
• Individual insurance costs (final year only): Cost not specified
• Equine: stool for equine practicals: Cost not specified
• Canine: wetsuit or waders for hydrotherapy: Cost not specified
• Black or brown boots for the yard: Cost not specified