Animal Therapy, Rehabilitation and Performance
Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career and transform their lives with advanced rehabilitation and performance techniques.
in the country for Learning Opportunities.
Source: NSS 2024
Focusing on both dogs and horses, on this course you'll get hands-on in our specialist therapy centres and commercial clinics in Writtle. You’ll develop expert skills in anatomy, movement assessment, rehabilitation planning and manual therapies for musculoskeletal issues.
You’ll learn from an experienced team of tutors including veterinary surgeons, nutrition and behaviour specialists, biomechanists, and staff who are practising clinicians in veterinary physiotherapy and massage.
You may have the opportunity to move on to the MVetPhys Veterinary Physiotherapy course at the end of your first year. To do this, you’ll need to achieve a 50% overall stage average and get a pass in both the equine and canine OSPE (practical exams).
Our course is pending accreditation by the Animal Health Professions Register (AHPR).
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Find out more about the course and how we can prepare you for a rewarding career in animal rehabilitation and massage therapy.
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Learn from our experienced team of tutors, including veterinary surgeons, nutritionists and behaviour specialists and practicing veterinary physiotherapists
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Immerse yourself in our cutting-edge equine and canine therapy centres
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Gain vital industry experience through real-life clinical cases and our connections with a wide range of industries
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Join a course that's pending accreditation from the Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR)
Careers
I chose Writtle because of the wide range of facilities and resources available ... The lecturers all have experience in the field they teach. This gives you a real insight into the industry.
This course will equip you with clinical knowledge and hands-on skills in animal therapy, rehabilitation and performance, and the confidence to apply them in the workplace.
From day one, you’ll gain real-world practice in assessment and treatment through real-life case studies and scenarios, as well as our extensive industry connections. You'll learn how to assess, reason and formulate rehabilitation plans, and work effectively with veterinary teams and clients. You'll also develop practical, business, and research know-how.
You'll graduate ready to step into a rewarding career and make a real impact on animal health and wellbeing.
Teaching and modules
Students challenge traditional definitions and perspectives on caring for horses and dogs, reconstructing this knowledge into a comprehensive, holistic understanding.
We'll start by covering essential topics like animal anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, behaviour and welfare.
As you progress through the course, you’ll deepen your knowledge of animal movement, biomechanics, manual therapy, hydrotherapy and first aid. You’ll enjoy hands-on practical sessions to enhance your skill set, and you’ll explore animal health, pain management and research methods.
The course concludes with a major project, preparing you to confidently apply therapeutic techniques and succeed as an animal therapist.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Foundations of Professional Skills (15 credits)
- Factors Affecting Animal Performance and Wellbeing (15 credits)
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology (30 credits)
- Animal Therapy Assessment: Principles and Practice (30 credits)
- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Nutrition, Behaviour and Welfare (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of Animal Movement (30 credits)
- Principles and Applications of Manual Interventions (30 credits)
- Animal Health, Disease and Pain Mechanisms (15 credits)
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Animal Hydrotherapy and First Aid (15 credits)
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Integrated Approaches to Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
- Applied Techniques in Animal Massage, Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy (30 credits)
- Animal Biomechanics and Pathophysiology (30 credits)
- Professional Development for Career Success (15 credits)
Our highly qualified teaching team includes experienced veterinary physiotherapists and veterinary surgeons.
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Alissia FinnLecturer
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Aidan McAteerLecturer in Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Charlotte Coleman-FryLecturer in Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy
Facilities
As an Animal Therapy, Rehabilitation and Performance student, you'll benefit from:
- Our Canine Therapy Clinic, equipped with a hydrotherapy pool, underwater treadmills, and clinical consultation rooms, all in a commercially operated environment that mimics real-world settings.
- Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to around 70 horses, allowing you to gain practical experience in a professional context.
Take a guided tour and meet our students
Equine Academy: support for talented riders
The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.
Find out more about Equine Academy eligibility and how to apply.
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Our Equine Training and Development Centre features stables, riding arenas and a therapy barn including the latest industry technology.
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There are around 70 horses on campus, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for hands-on, real-world experiences.
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You’ll gain practical experience using the equine water treadmill to develop and apply rehabilitation and conditioning techniques for horses recovering from injury or enhancing performance.
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Our Canine Therapy Clinic features a hydrotherapy pool, two underwater treadmills and clinical consultation rooms. There are also classrooms and lecture rooms.
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Learn about underwater treadmill therapy for dogs, which helps with rehabilitation, pain management, and fitness improvement.
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Gain practical experience in our CHA- and RAMP-registered Canine Rehabilitation Clinic, supporting physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions for the public.
