New and Improved Program!
We have improved the program to make it even easier for you to become a Certified Canine Hydrotherapist. We have consolidated the theory component so it IS delivered entirely online, with support from a fortnightly live Q & A session and your own private Facebook Group. There is now only one single 4 -day live workshop, meaning you only have to travel once if you are from outside Melbourne, Australia.
If you would like to spend your days doing something you love, making a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners, as part of the canine therapy industry, then this course is for you! There are no pre-requisites except a love for dogs and a passion to help them to live a long, happy & healthy life.
Become a Canine Hydrotherapist
Career Opportunities
The Pet industry is already a massive and rapidly growing industry, with people now spending more of their disposable income on their pets health and care than ever before. The medical and surgical treatments pet owners are investing in for their pets has increased substantially. Consequently, so too has the need for rehabilitation treatments that can accelerate the dogs recovery and maximise their return to function.
More vet clinics are adding rehabilitation and hydrotherapy to the services they offer and are looking for qualified Canine Hydrotherapists to join their teams. Existing Canine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centres are also looking for qualified Canine Hydrotherapists to help treat their patients. So, there are plenty of job opportunities on the rise once you are certified.
Aims of the Canine Hydrotherapy Course
With the growth in this industry, it is imperative there are suitably qualified therapists available to deliver quality services and care to the patients. This Certificate Course in Canine Hydrotherapy has been designed to:
Ensure the standard of care and treatment provided to canine patients and clients in Australia is of exceptional quality and sets the standard within the industry.
Impart over 2 decades of Canine Hydrotherapy experience, Human Physiotherapy principles, and the latest advancements in canine rehabilitation research.
Teach students to perform in depth individual assessments of each dog and devise a suitable hydrotherapy program, tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
Provide experienced and certified Canine Hydrotherapists available to work in conjunction with a patient’s vet as part of a healthcare team.
Accreditation
This Canine Hydrotherapy Course is accredited by the Australian Canine Rehabilitation Association (ACRA). www.caninerehabassociation.com.au ACRA is the governing body for the practise of Canine Rehabilitation and Canine Hydrotherapy in Australia.
The (ACRA) board is made up of Physiotherapists with a Masters Degree in Animal Physiotherapy, and Veterinary professionals with an interest in Canine Rehabilitation. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in canine rehabilitation with different membership levels available.
Participants who successfully complete the Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy Course are eligible to apply for ACRA Membership, display the ACRA logo as a mark of quality, and apply for professional indemnity insurance with Insurance House.
This course is accredited by the ACRA - Australian Canine Rehabilitation Association
Instructor
The Course chief Instructor Michelle Monk has a Masters Degree in Animal Physiotherapy and has won several awards for her delivery of service to canine patients and for her research in the area of rehabilitation following surgery for cruciate disease. Physiotherapist, utilizing both pool and underwater treadmill therapy since 2002.
Michelle started the first rehabilitation centre for dogs in 2002 complete with indoor heated pool and underwater treadmill. Since then she has delivered hydrotherapy to thousands of dogs and is the most experienced canine hydrotherapist in the country.
She has also authored the Animal Hydrotherapy chapter in the Textbook “Animal Physiotherapy: Assessment, Treatment and rehabilitation of Animals’, 2013.
She is also a human physiotherapist and prior to working with canines she worked for 6 years in Human Hydrotherapy and continues to attend continuing professional development in this field.
Michelle is assisted by her team – a group of Physiotherapists with Masters Degrees in Animal Physiotherapy and is passionate about providing quality health care to all canines to improve their general health, wellbeing, and recovery from injury and illness.
Connect with Michelle
Course Modules
Introduction to Hydrotherapy for the Canine Patient
The properties of water
Principles of Canine Hydrotherapy - swimming and underwater treadmill
Canine Skeleton
Canine Arthrology
Canine Muscular System
Canine Nervous System
Canine Hydrotherapy for Health and Fitness
Canine Hydrotherapy for Rehabilitation
Common pathologies requiring Hydrotherapy in the Canine Patient
Working safely in Canine Hydrotherapy
Assessment of the Canine patient for Hydrotherapy
Use of equipment in Canine Hydrotherapy
Development of and progression of treatment plans in Canine Hydrotherapy
Practical delivery of Canine Hydrotherapy
Working as part of a Multi-disciplinary team
Hydrotherapy Facility Centre
Water Chemistry in Canine Hydrotherapy
Record Keeping
Business development
Course Delivery
Commencement
The course will commence on (DATE TBC) with an Introductory Online Webinar.
Course Content Delivery
Course Content Delivery: A blended delivery of course content includes online learning modules for delivery of lectures, slides and reference materials. Plus live monthly Q & A webinars to answer any questions you have and to meet other students. These webinars are recorded and uploaded into the course content website.
Workshop
There is one compulsory X-day workshop delivered in Melbourne (DATE TBC). This workshop is an intense practical hands-on practice of canine hydrotherapy on real animal patients. Devised to support your theoretical learning & ensure you achieve the necessary skills to competently deliver effective treatment.
Assessments & Examinations
Delivered online via the course platform at the end of each module together with assignments, and participation and completion of practical workshop activities.
Log Book Completion
Each student is required to complete a total of 10 patient case studies and submit log book reports for an initial assessment and a review assessment (including treatment plan). Full details will be provided during the course.
Support
Throughout the program support is available through a private Facebook Group filled with your peers and instructors.
Key Dates
Need more information or want to ask us a question before you register a place for the next 2020 Course?
This course is accredited by the ACRA - Australian Canine Rehabilitation Association
What students say:
“I had no prior skills in this industry and this course gave me the skills as well as the confidence to take hydrotherapy sessions in a clinic. Best career move I ever made”
– Emilie Canine Hydrotherapist
“Coming from a professional corporate background, I understood the need to surround myself with like-minded people, increase my knowledge/training and develop a support network, particularly as I work as a sole trader. The Hydrotherapy course delivered on all fronts.”
– Marie Canine Hydrotherapist
“The Canine Hydrotherapy course was constructed and presented really well. The video lectures provided all the training knowledge required to complete the necessary assignments and I could play them again and again. The Q&A webinars were helpful in providing direction on the next stage of the course and the workshops were informative and hands on. Brilliant to have the Cannikin clay models as a learning tool as well as the live dogs too.”
– Alison Canine Hydrotherapist
