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Veterinary physiotherapist

Veterinary physiotherapists work with injured animals, or animals with movement problems, to help reduce pain and improve their health.

Average annual salary

£24,000 to £38,000

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

University

You'll usually need to study one of the following qualifications:

If you have completed a degree in human physiotherapy, or animal science, you could apply for a place on a postgraduate master's course in animal physiotherapy.

Entry requirements:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could start your career by doing a Physiotherapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. You could then go on to complete a postgraduate award in veterinary physiotherapy.

This apprenticeship can take around 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship

OtherRoutes

You could train in animal massage or animal hydrotherapy, if you do not have a degree but want to work in a related area.

You can get more details about training from the:

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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of animal musculoskeletal conditions
  • knowledge of psychology
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to read English
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • concentration skills
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What you'll do:

Veterinary physiotherapists work with injured animals, or animals with movement problems, to help reduce pain and improve their health.

As an animal physiotherapist, you could:

  • learn about an animal's medical history from its owner, keeper or vet
  • work with animals in recovery after operations or accidents
  • plan exercise programmes
  • use manual and electrotherapy methods to reduce pain and help movement
  • write reports on an animal's rehabilitation progress
  • use massage and hydrotherapy techniques

Location : You could work at a veterinary practice, in a therapy clinic, on a farm, at a wildlife park or at a zoo.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

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Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £38,000

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

38 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is on call as customers demand

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Career Path:

With experience, you could become a senior physiotherapist, or a specialist physiotherapist for animal breathing conditions or problems affecting the nervous system.

You could also set up your own animal physiotherapy practice or move into research.

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