11th/12th June 2027
The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in maintaining internal regulation and supporting the canine patient’s ability to respond and adapt to physical, environmental and emotional demands. Pain, illness, repeated stress, disrupted sleep, altered movement and previous experiences may all influence a dog’s physiological state and capacity to engage comfortably with assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
This two-day, face-to-face practical course explores autonomic regulation from a clinically relevant, whole-patient perspective. Participants will consider how signs of heightened arousal, reduced adaptability or altered regulation may present within the treatment environment, and how these observations can inform a safer and more responsive clinical approach.
The course will combine underpinning theory with practical exploration of observation, handling, pacing, therapeutic touch and appropriate manual approaches. Emphasis will be placed on recognising the individual dog’s responses, working within tolerance and supporting regulation without overstating the role or effects of manual therapy.
This course is delivered as an interactive two-day face-to-face practicum near the New Forest, combining focused theory, guided hands-on learning, clinical discussion and opportunities to apply the material to canine patients. Places are limited to support individual feedback and a high-quality practical learning experience.
Suitable for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary physiotherapists, veterinary chiropractors, animal osteopaths who have solid hands-on therapeutic experience with dogs. If you do not fulfil the prerequisite, look at our Advanced Clinical Assessment workshops first.
The course offers a clinically reasoned approach to a region that can sometimes be overlooked during musculoskeletal assessment.
“If you are considering taking a course with Eleanor and Dustie – do it. Their knowledge, passion, and experience are unmatched. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from them.” Tara M.
Course Overview
This workshop will run on 11th and 12th June 2027.
A thoughtful approach to autonomic dysregulation does not come from trying to label every behaviour or response. It requires a clear, cautious process that helps the practitioner notice arousal, tolerance, comfort and adaptability while keeping the individual dog’s clinical context in mind.
Pain, stress, illness, fatigue, previous experiences and the clinical environment may all influence how a dog responds to assessment, touch and handling. Careful observation, pacing and patient-centred handling can help the practitioner work within tolerance and avoid overstating what manual therapy can or should achieve.
This balance between observation, clinical reasoning and respectful practical handling is one of the areas explored in our practical workshop on supporting canine autonomic dysregulation.
This two-day workshop is ideal if you:
- Have existing hands-on clinical experience and want to better understand how autonomic regulation may influence the assessment and treatment environment.
- Work with dogs who show signs of heightened arousal, reduced adaptability, discomfort, stress responses or complex clinical presentations.
- Want to improve observation, pacing, handling and therapeutic touch within a safe, responsive framework.
- Would like to develop more confidence supporting comfort, tolerance and regulation during clinical assessment and manual therapeutic work.
- Value small-group, reflective learning with close guidance and case-based discussion.
Join us for an immersive, small-group 2-day CPD event designed to explore clinical approaches to supporting canine autonomic dysregulation.
Through focused theory, guided observation, practical handling exploration and clinical discussion, this workshop will consider how autonomic state may influence a dog’s capacity to engage with assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on recognising the individual dog’s responses, working within tolerance and adapting clinical approach appropriately.
This is a relaxed, discussion-rich environment where you can ask questions, explore case examples and refine your observational and hands-on approach under close guidance — ideal for professionals who enjoy reflective, patient-centred learning.and practise assessment approaches under close guidance — ideal for professionals who enjoy learning through doing and already have a foundation in canine clinical or manual therapeutic work.
Who is teaching the workshop?
Eleanor Andrews is AOI’s Director of Education and a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy. With international teaching experience and extensive clinical expertise, she is dedicated to advancing high-quality osteopathic and manual therapeutic practice within the veterinary profession. Eleanor is passionate about developing practical skills, clinical reasoning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“I am 100% satisfied with what I have learned and, equally importantly, with the way the course was delivered. AOI gave me not only knowledge and practical skills, but also a deeper understanding and appreciation of osteopathy and its application to dogs.” Fabiano M.
Who would benefit from the workshop?
This course is suitable for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, animal osteopaths, vet physios, veterinary chiropractors and practitioners who have plenty of hands-on canine clinical, musculoskeletal or manual therapeutic experience. It is particularly relevant for practitioners who assess thoracic mobility, rib involvement, respiratory mechanics, shoulder girdle compensation or whole-body movement patterns in canine patients.
When is the workshop?
This workshop will run on 11th and 12th of June, 2027
Key learning from the workshop
Strengthen your functional understanding of the canine ribcage and its relationship to the thoracic spine, sternum, diaphragm and shoulder girdle.
Refine observation, palpation and movement assessment skills for rib and thoracic dysfunction.
Improve your ability to interpret rib findings within whole-dog biomechanical and respiratory patterns.
Develop more confident clinical reasoning around precautions, positioning and patient tolerance.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop is to be held at one of our facilities in The New Forest National Park Hampshire, UK.
The New Forest is filled with hotels and Airbnb, so it is easy to find a dog-friendly place to stay. Early booking is, however, recommended. Local amenities and busy villages can be found throughout the Forest.
Why study with us?
- Small group teaching, with a maximum of eight delegates, ensures individual attention and a supportive atmosphere.
- Beautiful setting, offering calm, green surroundings ideal for learning and professional connection.
- Practical sessions designed to bridge the gap between theory, assessment and clinical application.
- Delivered by a highly experienced osteopath and educator with a strong focus on canine biomechanics, palpation, integrated assessment and clinical reasoning.
How much is the workshop?
This CPD workshop is £599.00 plus VAT and is taught by one of the world’s leading lecturers in animal osteopathy and canine clinical assessment.
Spaces are strictly limited to ensure quality teaching time, practical support and individual feedback. Early application is therefore recommended.
Do I need to bring a dog model?
Delegates are requested to bring a happy, healthy dog with no severe pathologies, who is sociable and suitable to use as a model during practical sessions. Unless very well trained, entire dogs are dissuaded from use in this setting but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are unable to bring an appropriate dog with you, dog models may be made available; however, this carries a fee of £30 per day per dog.
Owners will need to sign a canine disclaimer before attendance and must hold third party insurance. This is standard on most policies.
Will I get a CPD certificate?
Yes. For those who successfully complete the workshop in full, a 12-hour digital CPD certificate will be awarded.
Who should not take this workshop?
- Practitioners without prior canine handling or canine clinical assessment experience.
- Professionals not currently working in canine clinical practice.
- Anyone unable to participate in palpation, movement assessment, manual therapeutic handling or practical dog-based sessions.
- Those who do not hold an appropriate veterinary, animal osteopathy or canine-related professional qualification.
- Practitioners whose experience is limited to general veterinary care, observational assessment or acupuncture alone, without a foundation in manual therapeutic assessment or intervention.
Register for application
Read more about our application process
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