Professional Training

Becoming a COCC student, offers you the opportunity to bypass some content in AOI’s Academic Pathway. This is typically because you are already an experienced animal practitioner (such as an ACPAT physio, IAVC chiropractor, or a Vet Physio with a degree background and over a year in practice), competently using many of the techniques taught on year one of the Diploma Programme.

AOI sees no benefit forcing an established practitioner to revisit knowledge, assessments and treatments that they use in every day practice, but if you have only just qualified, you may not be accepted (onto the COCC) because our Level two Diploma Programme assumes that practitioners are comfortable and competent at working in clinical practice and are proficient in their techniques. 

The conversion process is as follows:

1. Students of the Canine Osteopathic Conversion Course must first study relevant modules from year one of the AOI Diploma Programme. These are taken online in your own time, so students must have a desktop or laptop computer and a stable internet connection.
2. Once completed the student is invited to a meeting with the Programme Director who will talk through the assessment process with you. This ensures clarity and likely success. 
3. The student is then asked to produce evidence of a working case history and video assessments to provide evidence of their clinical proficiency.  
4. If evidence is not demonstrated, the student will be asked to complete the rest of year one before proceeding to year two of the Diploma. Fees apply. 
5. Once successfully completed, the conversion course student can join the next available year two cohort – UK or Denmark (as applicable, and space allows). If the student wants to book onto a specific cohort or location in advance of the COCC completion, they must pay a 10% non-refundable deposit to hold a place. 
6. If a student does not demonstrate proficiency in the necessary areas of assessment and treatment, they will be asked either to take specific components of year one, or to start at the beginning of year one. See more information below. 

Modules included in the conversion course 

Module 1  Osteopathic Studies – Part I;

Module 2  Canine Perception and Communication; 

Module 4  Osteopathic Case History Taking;

Module 6  Osteopathic Articulation – theory and application;

Module 9  Functional anatomical integration of the canine patient; 

Module 14 Osteopathic integration of the whole patient;

Module 15 Case based discussion.

Conversion course students also have access to a short online course (written by Bettina Hvidemose) on Canine Learning theory, unless they can provide evidence that they hold a valid qualification in this topic already. This is part of the bundle you receive, as part of the conversion course, and you will be expected to complete it before the conversion course can be passed. This course is iincluded in the cost of the conversion course. 

Module 11 (soft tissue) and Module 12 (stretching) are also available at additional cost. We advise these modules to any conversion student that isn’t using these techniques in practice, as they are expected knowledge in year two of the AOI Diploma. Ask us for more details. 

In addition to the above, COCC students must take all Year One quizzes online (which have a pass mark of 70%). This will allow you (and AOI) to evaluate your level of understanding and learning. 

Once all aspects of the COCC have been successfully completed, the student will be offered a place on the next level two cohort – that being year two of the Diploma Programme – if it considered that they parallel the knowledge of our year one students. 

In the event the student shows weakness in certain areas of their assessment or treatment skills (that will undermine their chances of success in year two of the Diploma), they will be asked to undertake additional modules of online study and/or attend elements of the year one practicum. non-negotiable, because we have to make sure that our year two students are not disrupted by conversion course students who need spacial attention. If the student fails the COCC they will be asked to complete the rest of year one, before commencing to year two. 

As any additional requirements need to take place before the year two course begins, conversion students must keep the dates for the year one practicum free in their diary, until they have been told what dates (if any) they need to attend. Fees will apply for any additional study. 

Applying and joining the COCC

1. First check the entry criteria for the COCC, which can be found via this LINK
2. If you do fulfil entry criteria to year two (level two), then you are welcome to apply for the COCC conversion course. We suggest that you are explicit about your qualifications and experience, as certificates alone are not enough. We are looking for good solid qualifications and clinical experience.  
3. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be informed if your applicable has been successful. 
4. If you have been offered a place you will be sent an invoice for £850.00 (exc. VAT). This is non-refundable.
5. In the event you hold a qualification in Equine (or Canine) Learning Theory, and don’t need to take it again, we will deduct the cost of Bettina’s course and remove access. 
6. You can start the course as soon the Diploma Programme for that year commences.
7. You will be connected with your fellow level one students, to ensure you don’t feel alone whilst studying. 
8. You will have access to the Student Support Manager throughout, in case you have questions. 
9. You have 5-months to complete the online conversion course, assessments and marking time included. 
10. If you are required to attend or complete additional elements of year one, fees will apply.