What Type of Animal Therapy Course Can I Study?

Like humans who go to professionals for treatment of aches, pains and other issues that tend to have an impact on our mobility, animals can benefit from various therapies that help them to live a more comfortable and active life.

If you’re considering a career in animal care, and one that helps animals get back to a state of good health specifically, animal therapy is an avenue you might want to explore. Keep reading for more information on the different types of animal therapy courses you can study ahead of a rewarding career in this sector.
 

What Are the Benefits of Animal Therapy?

There are any number of reasons why an animal might need treatment by a trained Animal Therapist. From alleviating stress to building strength post-surgery, the various forms of therapy on offer in this sector can boost an animal’s health and mood in numerous ways.

Just a few examples of animal therapy include:
 

• Hydrotherapy
• Massage
• Physiotherapy

The activities involved in these therapeutic treatments for animals can stretch, exercise and manipulate their bodies in ways that help their conditions improve long-term.

A few examples of this are:
 

Mood and Behaviour

By receiving therapeutic treatment, animals can experience:
 

• Reduced risk of developing depression
• Less anxiety
• Decreased stress levels
• Improved character and temperament
• A closer, more trusting bond with people

 

Activity Levels

Many forms of animal therapy encourage the animals to exercise in various ways. By receiving hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, for example, animals can benefit from:
 

• Weight loss
• Mental and physical stimulation
• Building confidence
• Improved performance
• Enhanced flexibility
• A fun way to spend their time!

Chronic Conditions

Just like us, animals can become subject to degenerative diseases as they age and long-term diseases that can be brought on by things like genetics, exercise and diet.

Just some of the conditions that benefit from different therapeutic treatments for animals include:
 

• Cruciate ligament problems
• Sprains and Breaks
• Hip Dysplasia
• Spinal injuries and paralysis
• Muscle maintenance and strengthening
• Post-operative muscle regeneration and maintenance
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

General Health

More generally, animal therapy treatments can help various animals in their day-to-day health too. Massage, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy can help:
 

• Increase motion range in joints
• Relieve pain, stiffness and swelling
• Improve circulation
• Increase tissue healing
• Muscle maintenance and strengthening
• Alleviate muscle spasm
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Increase speed of recovery
• Skin conditions

How To Get into Animal Therapy

If you like the sound of helping boost animal health in these specialist ways and you’re wondering how to do animal therapy, the best way to start is to complete the relevant training.

There are over 50 different approaches to a canine massage alone. Veterinary physiotherapy also has numerous treatment options, as does animal hydrotherapy. So, anyone looking to break into these animal therapy jobs needs to learn the treatment applications in detail.

Thankfully, Animal Courses Direct have a range of Ofqual accredited animal therapy qualifications that will open the door to each of these careers.
 

Animal Hydrotherapy Courses

With Animal Courses Direct, you can study numerous small animal hydrotherapy courses that qualify you to practice water-based animal therapy.

These courses will teach you key elements, including:
 

• Administration in a Hydrotherapy Centre  
• Assessing Suitability of Animals for Hydrotherapy
• Conditions Presented for Small Animal Hydrotherapy
• Practical Skills in Small Animal Hydrotherapy
• First Aid for Small Animals 
• Water Maintenance, Balance and Testing  
• Small Animal Biomechanics and Gait , and more!

Anyone aged 16 years and over can enrol. During your studies, you will develop an understanding of the techniques involved in the provision of hydrotherapy and the assessment required before small animal hydrotherapy commences.


 

Canine Massage Therapy

In our canine massage therapy course, you will explore everything that’s required to work in the canine massage industry and even set up your own canine massage therapy business. So, if you’re wondering ‘What is animal massage therapy?’ don’t worry, this course will take you through every detail!

You will explore:
 

• Fundamentals of Canine Massage
• Comprehensive Canine Anatomy
• Canine Handling Techniques
• Canine Behaviour Dynamics
• Fundamentals of Canine Assessment
• Tissue Healing and Pain Management in Canine Massage
• Common Canine Medical Conditions and How to Manage Them
• Fundamentals of Aquatic Massage
• Advanced Canine Massage Techniques, and more!

This canine massage course also includes a practical training element, so you can really hone your skills.
 

Veterinary Physiotherapy Courses

In our online veterinary physiotherapy courses, you will complete a blend of theoretical study and practical training that focuses on both animal hydrotherapy and veterinary physiotherapy.

This is perfect for any aspiring animal therapy professional who wants to give themselves the best starting point in their career. Having such in-depth knowledge and specialist abilities will make you highly desirable as an employee in existing animal therapy businesses, and as a self-employed professional.

During your studies, you will learn all about animal hydrotherapy, in addition to modules that focus on veterinary physiotherapy such as:
 

• Small Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Biomechanics and Gait
• Practical Advanced Aquatic Treadmill Therapy
• Assessing Suitability of Animals for Hydrotherapy
• Hydrotherapy Business Management and Branding
• Comprehensive Canine Nutrition
• Feline Behaviour and Welfare in Hydrotherapy
• Canine Musculoskeletal System and Physiotherapy Practice
• Palpation, Massage, Stretching, and Joint Mobilisation Techniques, and more!

Upon completion of the necessary amount of veterinary physiotherapy qualifications, you can join membership organisations such as the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA).
 

Enrol Online Today

Should you aspire to kick-start a career as a therapeutic specialist for animals, Animal Courses Direct can get you there. With our animal therapy courses, you can make a start in this industry and add to your skillset as you please to provide a host of therapeutic treatments that will benefit animal health.

Find out more about how our online animal therapy courses can help you reach your goals by calling our Course Advisors today on 01202 006 040 or contacting them online. Alternatively, click below to browse our fantastic range of animal therapy courses in more detail!