We have an exceptional, highly motivated team of lecturer/practitioners who treat animals regularly in their careers. Their wealth of knowledge and camaraderie offers our delegates the very best opportunity to learn in a fun and relaxed setting. We also understand that students learn in a variety of ways, which is why we teach with various models of learning and aim to keep the whole experience calm and supportive.
We also believe in the power of community and learning together, not in egos and isolation. So, when you attend an AOI course, you will see that we work together as a team, without hierarchy. Because we all have something to bring to the table and caring for each other is part of who we are.
Dustie Houchin – Executive Director
Dustie’s primary role in AOI is as Executive Director, but she also examines, teaches business development and communications and mentors and coaches our alumni when they go into practice.
Dustie graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 1998, before completing a Diploma in Animal Osteopathy with the European School of Osteopathy, and going on to become a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy.
Dustie then furthered her education at Ashridge Business School graduating in 2006 from their Advanced Management Programme before completing an MBA with Warwick Business School and being awarded a scholarship to attend SDA Bocconi School of Management. She also holds a PG Certificate in Higher Education, awarded by The University of Greenwich and a PG Certificate in Paediatric Osteopathy awarded by the University College of Osteopathy.
Dustie’s wish to support the welfare of animals and improve osteopathic education in the animal field, led to her becoming the Programme Leader of the MSc, PG Dip and PG certificate in Animal Osteopathy, at The European School of Osteopathy. The programme was validated by the University of Greenwich and commended for being at the forefront of education in this field.
Dustie’s fight for the animal osteopathic profession and the welfare of animals also led to her become a founding member of Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP), a voluntary register that is focused on increasing the quality and education of animal practitioners.
Eleanor Andrews – DIRECTOR of EDUCATION
Eleanor Andrews is Director of Education at AOI, a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy and recognised for her exceptional teaching, clinical expertise, and deep commitment to advancing osteopathy within the veterinary field. She leads AOI’s flagship courses and has supported hundreds of students and professionals in reaching excellence in clinical practice.
Eleanor holds a Masters in Osteopathy, a Diploma in Animal Osteopathy, a PG Certificate in Paediatric Osteopathy, and a PG Certificate in Higher Education (University of Greenwich). She has served on the Council of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP), including holding the position of President, and brings extensive academic leadership experience from her role as Lead Lecturer on the MSc (Animal Osteopathy) at the European School of Osteopathy. Her academic portfolio also includes postgraduate lecturing, Master’s level examining and moderating, and dissertation supervision across both human and animal osteopathy.
An internationally respected educator, Eleanor has lectured and delivered specialist training to veterinary and osteopathic professionals across the UK, Europe, and beyond. She regularly works with veterinary referral centres, delivering bespoke postgraduate training, small-group workshops, and professional development programmes for vets and paraprofessionals seeking to deepen their clinical skills.
Clinically, Eleanor works in private animal and human practice, with an extensive background in comparative anatomy, biomechanics, neurology, orthopaedics and rehabilitation. She works with a broad spectrum of animals across all life stages and disciplines—supporting performance, post-injury recovery, developmental preparation, career transitions, and healthy ageing.
Eleanor is known for her patient-centred, integrated approach, combining structural understanding with systemic awareness. She focuses on resolving underlying causes, supporting whole-body balance, and empowering owners with practical environmental and lifestyle guidance to optimise long-term wellbeing. Her intuitive clinical insight, rhythmic treatment style, and ability to reduce long-standing compensatory patterns often create meaningful and lasting change.
With a passion for collaboration and professional growth, Eleanor is dedicated to elevating clinical standards, advancing interdisciplinary understanding, and inspiring the next generation of veterinary and osteopathic practitioners to achieve exceptional outcomes for their patients.
AOI Lecturers & Speakers
SARAH WISSON – New Zealand AO lecturer
Sarah has worked with Dustie and Eleanor for over a decade and has extensive experience in the field of animal osteopathy.
Today, Sarah lives in New Zealand, but she qualified over twenty years ago as an animal osteopath, having studied human osteopathy at the University College of Osteopathy, in the UK.
Sarah teaches the Certificate Programme Practicum in NZ and is also involved in the rehabilitation modules.
Bettina Hvidemose – Behaviourist and Osteopath
Bettina is an animal behavior therapist and manual therapist/osteopath based in Hirtshals, Denmark. Together with her team of colleagues she runs “Center for Animal Therapy” offering animal training, behavioral consultations, manual treatments and rehabilitation for dogs and horses. In addition, Bettina and her team teach a variety of courses and educations within the field.
Bettina graduated her BSc in Applied Animal Behavior in 2006 and she has a special interest in how physical challenges impact animal behavior and thus, how many behavioral issues are consequences of pain and/or physical restrictions. Therefore, Bettina has expanded her knowledge into physical approaches to animal biomechanics and treatment and she holds qualifications in different approaches to manual therapy. In 2018 – 2019 Bettina completed the Stage 1 and 2 courses, both canine and equine pathways, with Animal Osteopathy International.
Bettina is passionate about improving animal welfare from a holistic approach including both brain and body. Both dogs, horses and cats are included in Bettina’s everyday practice and teaching field. As a curiosity, she also works with marine mammals, applying ethology and learning theory to enrichment and husbandry training for seals.
If you are interested in learning more about Learning Theory for horses and dogs, why not check out her courses by clicking below. Bettina also has owner courses, which can be found under the Owner Course tab.
Equine Learning Theory Canine Learning Theory
Jade Douglas (BVMS, MRCVS)
RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Ophthalmology
Upon graduating from Glasgow University in 2000, Jade worked in a mixed practice on the west coast of Scotland. Exciting as it was, two years was enough to prompt the search for a warmer, drier climate. She moved down to Dorset in 2002 where she worked in small animal practice for many years. Today, Jade works as a Senior Vet in Devon and enjoys a more rural lifestyle. Jade loves the variety that general practice brings. She will sometimes use acupuncture to complement medical treatments, predominately for osteoarthritis in geriatric patients. Her professional passion is ophthalmology. She obtained her AP status in veterinary Ophthalmology in 2017. Jade welcomes collaboration with other clinicians, within and out with the veterinary profession.
Federica Cantatore – Veterinarian
Federica graduated in 2014, at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Turin. As a student, she had the opportunity to visit clinics in Belgium, France and UK. Immediately after graduation, she moved to a busy practice in the north of the UK, where she completed her veterinary internship and subsequently decided to stay.
She is a joint Resident of the American College of Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation between Pool House Equine Clinic and the University of Turin. Her main interests are equine orthopaedics and sports medicine, with a particular interest in emergency and anaesthesia. Federica worked with horses and rode to good level for many years before becoming a vet, giving her a solid foundation in the equine field. She also has an adorable rescue dog called ‘Pudding’ who often joins her when she teaches for the AOI.