Date: 23rd and 24th of October 2026.
Booking deadline: October 9th, 2026 at 17:00 UK time.
Develop a clear, systematic approach to canine hindlimb assessment.
Even for qualified canine practitioners, achieving a clear and consistent hindlimb assessment can be challenging. The dog’s behaviour, breed variation, anatomical differences and the clinical environment can all affect the practitioner’s ability to assess individual structures accurately.
That’s why we’ve designed three specific workshops to help build your confidence in limb and spinal assessment, giving you the time and guidance needed to refine your palpation without the pressure of the consulting room.
A thorough hindlimb assessment does not necessarily require more tests. It requires a clear, repeatable process.
Following a consistent sequence— working from distal to proximal—can reduce the likelihood of overlooking a structure or losing track of individual findings.
Small, targeted movements help the practitioner focus on the joint or tissue being assessed. Hand position and practitioner position also matter: both can influence comfort, control and the accuracy of what is being felt. But precision should not become tunnel vision.
While assessing one region, it is important to keep watching the whole dog. A change in posture, tension or movement elsewhere may be just as informative as the structure beneath your hands.
This balance between systematic assessment and whole-patient awareness is one of the areas we explore in our practical canine hindlimb workshop.
This two-day workshop is ideal if you:
- Have difficulty localising dysfunction within complex biomechanical cases.
- Wish you could palpate joints and muscles more effectively.
- Believe that compensation patterns may be part of the bigger picture.
- Feel that diagnostic imaging results don’t always correlate with clinical presentation.
- Have limited access to structured training in orthopaedic palpation and joint function assessment.
Join us for an immersive, small-group 2-day CPD event designed to refine and elevate your clinical assessment of the canine hindlimb.
Through a blend of theory, demonstration, and hands-on practical sessions, this workshop will deepen your understanding of hindlimb anatomy, arthrokinematics, muscle testing, and passive assessment, helping you approach clinical cases with more confidence, accuracy, and efficiency.
This is a relaxed, discussion-rich environment where you can ask questions, explore case examples, and practise techniques under close guidance — ideal for professionals who enjoy learning through doing.
Who is teaching the workshop?
Eleanor Andrews (osteopath, lecturer and writer) is AOI’s Director of Education and a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy, leading the institute’s flagship training programmes.
With international teaching experience and extensive clinical expertise, she is dedicated to advancing osteopathic practice within the veterinary profession.
Eleanor is passionate about developing clinical reasoning, practical skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work has supported hundreds of professionals to elevate patient outcomes.
Who would benefit from the workshop?
This course is ideal for:
- Small animal veterinarians and veterinary nurses looking to refine orthopaedic and musculoskeletal assessment skills.
- Canine practitioners (animal osteopaths, veterinary physiotherapists or veterinary chiropractors).
- Experienced canine practitioners seeking to build on existing knowledge in a supportive, practical learning space.
Whether you’re new to detailed limb assessment or simply looking to enhance your hands-on confidence, this workshop provides the structure and space to develop your skills in depth.
What will you learn?
Over two days you will:
- Strengthen your functional understanding of canine hindlimb anatomy.
- Improve your palpation and passive movement assessment skills.
- Learn muscle testing methods and what they reveal about function and compensation.
- Develop a structured, confident approach to hindlimb evaluation.
- Return to clinic with immediately applicable techniques.
When is the workshop?
This workshop will run 23rd and 24th October 2026.
Deadline to book: October 9th, 2026.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop is to be held at one of our facilities in The New Forest, Hampshire. UK.
Lymington, New Milton and Lyndhurst are significant sized towns surrounded by hotels and Airbnbs. All are relatively nearby, so it is easy to find a dog-friendly place to stay. Early booking is recommended. Local amenities can be found within a short drive of the facilities.
Why study with us?
- Small group (max. eight people) ensures individual attention and a supportive atmosphere.
- Beautiful New Forest setting – calm, green surroundings ideal for learning and connection.
- Practical sessions to bridge the gap between theory and clinical practice.
- Delivered by an experienced osteopath and educator passionate about canine biomechanics and integrated assessment.
What past students say.
“Eleanor and Dustie are, without a doubt, the best instructors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They are dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Each day they came in prepared with goals and a plan for the day, and they make excellent use of every minute of instructional time. They consistently provide valuable feedback and support and actively search for opportunities to extend the students’ understanding. The material they present is well-organized and thorough, and they follow up with demonstrations, small group instruction, and individual feedback.
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 Monahan (Canada)
How much is the workshop?
The investment for this two-day practical workshop is £599 plus VAT. Places are limited to eight participants to provide sufficient time for supervised practice, discussion and individual guidance.
Do I need to bring a dog model with me?
Delegates are expected to bring a happy, healthy (with no severe pathologies), sociable dog with them to use as a model. 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 will be made available; however, this carries a fee of £30 per day per dog.
Will I get a CPD certificate?
Yes, for those who successfully complete the workshop in full a 12 Hour CPD Certificate will be awarded (digitally).
Who should not take this workshop?
• Human osteopaths without prior canine therapeutic handling or clinical assessment experience.
• Animal professionals not currently working in canine clinical practice.
• Anyone unable to participate in palpation, movement assessment, or practical handling sessions.
• Practitioners who do not hold an appropriate canine-related qualification.
Request an application form
AOI’s professional CPD workshops have specific entry requirements. Please provide your name and email address below and we will send you the formal application form and Terms of Business. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance or reserve a place.
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