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TRAINING ADVICE - ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC

We are frequently asked for advice on what training and qualifications are required to become an Animal Chiropractor (in the UK).  This page has been compiled to answer some of the most common questions.  If you have any further queries please email info@taranet.co.uk and we will try to help, or please contact the organisations mentioned.

Are qualifications needed?

In order to use the title 'chiropractor', practicioners must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).  Therefore you need to be fully trained and obtain a recognised qualification.   Unfortunately, there are therapists calling themselves 'chiropractors' who are not qualified - therefore it is important for the animal owner to be able to distinguish between qualified and unqualified therapists, having a qualification and being registered with the GCC enables this.

Remember - It is an offence for any person, other than the owner of the animal, to treat an animal unless the permission of the vet in charge of the case or to whom the animal would be referred is sought and obtained.  A Veterinary Surgeon is extremely unlikely to refer any customers to you unless you are qualified and insured.

What qualifications can I get & how do I get them?

The GCC does not recognise any courses in animal chiropractic - to be called a 'chiropractor' the therapist must have trained as a human chiropractor and be registered with the GCC as such.  However, there are courses available based upon chiropractic techniques for animals.  These can be taken after training as a human chiropractor or completion of another eligible course.

Veterinary Chiropractic

The International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) offers membership to qualified veterinarians (registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) or chiropractors (registered with the General Chiropractic Council), who have completed an IVCA approved course.  At present (June 2010), there are 5 IVCA recognised Veterinary Chiropractic educational establishments who run basic, advanced and continuing professional development courses in Canada, England, Germany and U.S.A. 

The IVCA also requires members to undertake undertake regular continuing professional development.  

What can I expect on a basic Veterinary Chiropractic course?

All IVCA approved basic veterinary chiropractic courses consist of a minimum of 210 hours of lectures in classroom and laboratory (plus home study).  Topics studied include: anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, relevant pathology, physiology, rehabilitation, ethics, philosophy and legalities.

Animal Manipulation

There are 2 organisations that offer recognised qualifications in Animal or Equine Manipulation based upon Chiropractic techniques.  These are:

1) The McTimoney Chiropractic College offers a BSc in Chiropractic (for humans) and a  post-graduate Diploma in Animal Manipulation.

Entry Requirements:

Equine Manipulation 

A 2nd organisation - The Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy runs an one-year, post-graduate Diploma in McTimoney-Corley Equine Manipulation. As this is an 'animal manipulation' course, graduates of this cannot register with the General Chiropractic Council and call themselves chiropractors.  However, this therapy has evolved from chiropractic techniques and so maybe of interest to you.

Entry Requirements:

What difference do qualifications make to a customer?

Being qualified in Veterinary Chiropractic or either of the Animal Manipulation courses above means that you are suitably qualified to practise.  By proving that you have undertaken a rigorous training and achieved nationally recognised qualifications, potential customers know that they are going to receive a good standard of expertise.   In addition you are only likely to obtain insurance cover if you are a qualified therapist - which your potential customers are likely to find a very important issue when choosing between therapists.

Furthermore, Veterinary Surgeons will only refer customers to you if you are registered and fully qualified.  Remember - It is an offence for any person, other than the owner of the animal, to treat an animal unless the permission of the vet in charge of the case or to whom the animal would be referred is sought and obtained.

A fully qualified Veterinary Chiropractor or Animal Manipulator will always work within the permission of and liaise with the Veterinary Surgeon of the animal.

Contacts:

copyright Taranet June 2010, July 2004

Read  more about Chiropractic and Animal Manipulation here

To contact Taranet email -  info@taranet.co.uk