Canine Therapy, Rehabilitation and Performance
Turn your love for dogs into a rewarding career and transform their lives with advanced rehabilitation and performance techniques.
of universities in the country for graduates who agree their current activity is 'meaningful'.
Source: GOS 2025
Turn your passion for dogs into a career at ARU in Writtle. You'll get hands-on in our specialist canine therapy centre from day one, developing expertise in anatomy, behaviour, massage, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitation.
You’ll work alongside expert clinicians, and graduate ready to register and thrive as a professional canine therapist.
You'll also work towards a recognised Level 3 Hydrotherapy qualification as you take part in commercially-run sessions with real cases in our Canine Therapy Clinic.
You may have the opportunity to move on to the MVetPhys Canine 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).
You'll also be able to register with the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists and Canine Hydrotherapy Association thanks to the hydrotherapy qualification in this course.
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Find out more about this course and how we can prepare you for a rewarding career in canine rehabilitation and massage therapy.
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Learn from experienced veterinary surgeons, hydrotherapists and physiotherapists.
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Immerse yourself in our state-of-the-art canine therapy centre with hydrotherapy pool.
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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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Compile massage and hydrotherapy care plans for injured or post-operative dogs.
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Join a course that's pending accreditation from the Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR).
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Work experience in the hydrotherapy clinics really helped me gain confidence and see how a centre is run. Thank you for allowing me to build the business of my dreams!
This course will equip you with the clinical knowledge and hands-on therapeutic skills in canine therapy, rehabilitation and performance.
You'll gain hands-on experience in real clinics, build confidence through assessed clinical skills and apply science to real-world therapy decisions.
With expert support, industry placements and recognised qualifications, you'll graduate fully prepared to treat clients, explain your methods and thrive in a professional setting.
Teaching and modules
You'll be able to see the importance of putting evidence-based theory into practice, to help animals from all walks of life.
Learn to recognise the signs of pain and disease in dogs and explore therapeutic techniques such as massage and hydrotherapy.
We'll cover essential topics like canine anatomy and physiology, and explore factors which affect health such as nutrition, behaviour and welfare.
As the course progresses, you’ll deepen your knowledge of canine movement, biomechanics, manual therapy and hydrotherapy. You’ll also enhance your practical skills through hands-on clinical placements, and explore canine health, pain management and research methods.
The course concludes with a major project, preparing you to confidently apply advanced rehabilitation techniques and succeed as a canine 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 *.
- Into ARU
- Foundations of Canine Professional Skills (15 credits)
- Factors Affecting Canine Performance and Wellbeing (15 credits)
- Canine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
- Canine Therapy Assessment: Principles and Practice
- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Canine Nutrition, Behaviour and Welfare (30 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of Canine Movement (30 credits)
- Canine Principles and Applications of Manual Interventions (30 credits)
- Canine Health, Disease and Pain Mechanisms (15 credits)
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Canine Hydrotherapy and First Aid* (15 credits)
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Integrated Approaches to Canine Exercise Physiology (15 cresits)
- Applied Techniques in Canine Massage, Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy (30 credits)
- Canine 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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Lauren HuntLecturer in Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Katie WalkerLecturer
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Lana ChargeLecturer in Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Ellie ProwseDemonstrator in Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Amber-Jane MasonLecturer
Facilities
Study Canine Therapy, Rehabilitation and Performance at ARU in Writtle and use specialist facilities including our Lordship Canine Centre. Our Canine Therapy Clinic features a hydrotherapy pool, two underwater treadmills and clinical consultation rooms in a commercially operated environment that mimics real-world settings.
You can also access our Pet Behaviour Centre, a dedicated facility for pet behaviourists. It features a consultation room, outdoor paddocks and a training hall. It's a commercial space where students are able to observe activities.
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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.
