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Veterinary physiotherapist

Alternative titles for this job include Animal physiotherapist

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

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£48,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

on call as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a veterinary physiotherapist

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You'll need one of the following qualifications:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a physiotherapist degree apprenticeship. You could go on to complete a postgraduate award in veterinary physiotherapy.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Other Routes

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:

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a veterinary physiotherapist from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a day-to-day basis you could:

  • attend clinics to see animals in need of physiotherapy after operations or an accident
  • visit animals in zoos, farms and homes
  • talk to owners and keepers to take the animal's case history
  • plan exercise programmes
  • use manual and electro-therapy methods to reduce pain and help with movement
  • apply massage and hydrotherapy techniques
  • give advice on changes to animals' environments
  • write reports on the animal's progress

Working environment

You could work at a veterinary practice or at a university.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a veterinary physiotherapist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE Diploma (Health and Physiotherapy)

  • Provider: The Manchester College
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Manchester
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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