Animal Osteopathy International

AOI is a private educational provider founded on one simple principle. That those who work with animals should be appropriately trained to do so. From this belief grew a schedule of study for those who wish to use osteopathy’s unique art and science to treat animals.

Human osteopaths train for four years to treat human patients, and the degree is full-time. And it is vitally important that those who wish to use osteopathy to treat animals learn to the same depth. Osteopathy is not a practice to be learned without ongoing support (for discussion and clarity) and hands-on tutorage for clinical safety and proficiency. Only then can an educator ensure that content comprehension has been achieved.

This is because in order to learn the anatomical, neurological, philosophical, environmental/behavioural, and pathological elements of equine or canine osteopathy, students need to be focused and committed and have a professional tutor at hand to help them with their theoretical and practical studies. This cannot be done effectively in an online-only model. Students need the support of a proper academic tutor and a team of lecturers who can teach them how to thoroughly assess and treat osteopathically. Only then can a student feel confident enough to go out into the big wide world and compete with highly qualified professionals.

Without hands-on direction, a student of osteopathy can never learn the nuances of palpation, assessment, and technique, so they know (exactly) what they feel under their hands. This is an art that takes years to perfect, even for those who have spent many years in clinical practice.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

After years of working with veterinary professionals at the highest level, AOI is proud to announce that from 2025, it will offer advanced professional seminars and workshops to veterinary professionals and animal osteopaths. This is thanks to the continuing feedback we have recieved from those in the veterinary profession, stating that we remain one of the most robust schools of animal osteopathy in the world.

As educators, we teach those who are willing to go the extra mile, work hard and enjoy a challenge. We are a not a short-cut school for people seeking an easy title.

For over a decade our team has taught animal osteopathy at base level (via our Diplomas) but as market demands have changed, so have we.

In September 2024, we enrolled our last Diploma UK students, seeking instead to support our alumni and those who need help fine tuning their osteopathic skills.

Our aim has never been to saturate markets with more foundation level therapists, but rather to create a network of highly trained practitioners, who can work together to make a difference.

From a practitioner perspective, we want to inspire osteopathic veterinarians and animal osteopaths to keep on learning. Not to stop at the first post. A postgraduate diploma is a great achievement, but like passing a driving test, it is just the start. That is why from 2025 we will offer high quality professional CPD courses for existing practitioners. Run by lecturers who excel at what they do.

TESTIMONIAL FROM A VETERINARIAN (USA)

"For any veterinarian looking to increase or improve upon their clinical, diagnostic and manual treatment skills, osteopathy should be considered. This is a treatment and philosophy that embodies the canine as a whole integrating the environment and the individual. It is almost impossible to receive in-depth training in this modality in the US so there are very few trained US DVM/VMDs that can practice this medicine and science. Animal Osteopathy International is a group based in England that trains veterinarians, osteopaths, and body workers all over the world. Their courses start with a two year combined on-line and practicum format. The concepts are taught on-line via lectures and live webinars and the practicum is a week of intense individual hands-on learning. This course teaches you how to diagnose, with your hands, and treat in a gentle manner that allows the body to heal itself. The techniques are more gentle and in-depth than chiropractic treatments and the concepts are similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The treatments can be performed on young and old, athletes and pet dogs, and as a preventive or treatment for acute or chronic injuries and pain. It can be employed by general practitioners, rehab veterinarians, hospice and palliative care veterinarians, and it can augment acupuncture. This course is the best continuing education class I have ever taken. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, teaching in-depth structural and functional anatomy along with basic and advanced osteopathic concepts and techniques. The class is well outlined and proceeds in a systematic fashion, and the hands-on training is individualized and thorough. The instructors force you to understand concepts and not just memorize theories. This ensures that you can treat your patients individually. Personally, I have never met more compassionate and patient instructors. While most of us vets are trained by fear and embarrassment, the philosophy of these instructors is to support, listen, and address any concerns of the student. They do this in a kind and gentle manner that allows for a safe place to learn. I cannot recommend this program enough. It has changed the way I can treat my patients." Stephanie Davis DVM (USA).

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