2025 Information Pack for
Canine Hydrotherapy Certificate Course

You do NOT require any prior experience to successfully complete this course. The course caters to people from all walks of life together, all education levels, and national and international english speaking students.

The content has been created to cater to those already in the industry such as vet nurses and vet technicians and also to those with little or no animal experience. The anatomy is initially a learning curve for those with no anatomy knowledge but each module builds on the next and it all comes together at the workshop so it's possible for almost anyone to be able to successfully complete the course.

The common thread that's the same for all students is they have a deep-set love for dogs and want to be able to make a difference in both the dogs life and that of the owner as well. Knowing you are achieving this is what will carry you through.

There are no prerequisites for this course just a love for dogs and a passion to help them to live happy and healthy lives and a desire to be able to provide quality health care for canines.

A blended delivery of course content includes online learning modules for delivery of lectures, slides, and reference materials.

Plus live regular Q & A webinars and education sessions to answer any questions you have and to meet other students. These sessions are recorded and uploaded into the course content website.

There is also a compulsory workshop which is an interactive workshop under the live guidance of your instructor Michelle Monk. (Provided virtually over 3 days from 8:30am - 5pm Melbourne, Australia time).

Plus, virtual case studies presented in video format that students are required to evaluate and provide assessment and treatment plans for as part of the course.

Plus there are assignments for each module and a final theory and final practical exams/assessments.

Plus once you graduate from the online course you have the option of attending 3 days (or 10 cases - whichever comes first) live in-person practical placement at one of our partner clinics located globally.

Plus graduates also have the option of attending a live in-person practical advanced Masterclass held in Melbourne, Australia annually to increase your knowledge and experience.

THERE IS A COMPULSORY WORKSHOP
The workshop is an intensive 3 day live interactive workshop delivered virtually and conducted with a combination of lectures, interactive Q&A, and hands-on practical components under the instruction of senior lecturer and founder Michelle Monk.  You will need a dog for different practical portions of the virtual workshop.

The workshop includes live lectures, downloadables, case studies for management and treatment plan decision making.

The workshop is devised to support your theoretical learning and ensure you achieve the necessary skills to competently deliver effective analysis and treatment of canine patients. You will need to attend ALL days of the workshop and actively participate to achieve a pass for this module.

The workshop is delivered over 3 days from 8:30am - 5pm AUSTRALIAN EASTERN TIME.

There are NO RECORDINGS of the workshop. Therefore, students must attend live.

The workshop is a compulsory portion of you achieving certification and each workshop is customised to the students within that specific intake. We schedule the dates well in advance and prior to you registering you are made aware of the need to attend.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make it to the specific workshop for your intake then you could have the opportunity to defer into the next intake (if there is a space available) but we can't always guarantee a space will be available.

Rescheduling to a later workshop requires deferment into the next course intake which would incur a deferment fee and the cost difference if the course has increased in price (which it usually does as it's updated regularly).

You do NOT require access to any specialised equipment for any of our Certificate Courses.

For Certificate in Canine Remedial Massage you DO NOT require any additional equipment to complete the course. You will need access to a dog(s) for some of the assignments and the compulsory workshop.

For Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy you DO NOT require any additional equipment to complete the course. You DO NOT require access to a pool. You DO NOT require access to an underwater treadmill.

Everything you need to complete our courses is provided in the course material with the exception of requiring a live dog model (stuffed dogs can NOT be used) for some of the assignments and also for parts of the compulsory workshop.

Absolutely! The course is designed for people who may be working full time, part-time, or not at all. Most students take an average of 5-7 hours a week of study to complete the course. So, as long as you can fit in that amount of study then you'll be ok.

The most important thing is that you have completed the first 14 modules required prior to attending the workshop. Student Support does provide prompts along the way to ensure you stay on course but you do have to do the work and complete the assignments.

The course is designed for people with all levels of knowledge and experience. Ranging from no prior experience or knowledge of animal studies at all, right the way through to vets, vet nurses and vet technicians.

You will be required to learn canine anatomy terminology and while in the beginning, this may be very new to you, over time as you see, hear and read the anatomy more, your knowledge and understanding will expand. Just like learning a new language, in no time at all you'll be conversing like a professional.

The lecture material is easy to follow and the live Q&A sessions are also helpful along with the student support team available 24 hours a day globally.

Each module builds upon the last, ultimately providing you with everything you need to know to be the best canine therapist you can be.

Each module requires the completion of an assignment. Some of these are multiple choice, others require video submissions, and some requires individual research and completion of a worksheet.

The participation and completion of the workshop is also a compulsory requirement for certification.

There is also a final theory examination/assessment and a final practical exam/assessment.

If you don't pass one of the assignments or if you don't pass the final exams and require more experience we assess each student on a case by case basis to determine how we can best support you to fill the gaps in your learning.

Not every student wants to start their own business and that's ok.

The field of canine rehabilitation is growing at a rapid rate. There aren't enough therapists available to treat all the dogs in need.

More and more vets, dog groomers, dog day spas, retreats and kennels are looking to incorporate these therapies into their clinics and are looking for employees so there are job opportunities becoming available all the time.

There are also groomers and trainers and even kennels who are also looking to employ students who are Certified Canine Therapists.

Although we don't provide employment guarantees there are plenty of job opportunities available if you look for them. Just as there are business opportunities.

We recommend conducting your own research and reaching out to see what opportunities there are in your local area, some you may not even be aware of.

Once certified you have the choice of either seeking employment or starting your own business. The choice is yours.

Throughout the program, support is available through a private Facebook Group filled with your peers, course instructor Michelle Monk, and her highly trained examiners.

The live Q&A webinars and education sessions throughout the course offer great opportunities for questions to be answered by our head lecturer (and founder) Michelle Monk and to further your learning. These are all recorded for you to watch at your leisure if you can't make them live.

Plus, we also have a dedicated support team available via email 24 hours globally. This ensures your email will be responded to within a 24 hour period on weekdays.

We also offer the opportunity to participate in the Study Buddy Program where you put in a request and get paired up with a study buddy to support each other through the course (and often this extends beyond graduation as well).

No you don't.

The Academy provides all the case studies required for students to be able to complete their certification. Some of these are provided via video, images, written, or via live virtual sessions. Full details will be provided during the course.

Note: You will be required to have a live dog as a model for some of the assignments and portions of the virtual workshop though. See answer to next question for more details about needing a dog for the course.

You will be required to have a dog for some of the practical assignments where you are required to submit a video.

Plus, you are required to have a dog for portions of the virtual workshop and final practical exam/assessment.

It's also helpful to have access to a dog or dogs during the course to familiarise yourself with the canine anatomy as you learn it.

Having said that, some students have successfully achieved their certification just by borrowing a friend's dog for the above mentioned assignments and workshop so you don't necessarily have to have your own dog but you will need access to at least one dog during the course.

The only additional costs are for the recommended Anatomy App (approx US$89) which is highly recommended as it is a 3D learning experience. However it is not compulsory to purchase the App as the lectures and materials provide what is required.

We have also secured a discount for our students for the app and this will be made available after enrolment.

See information above about "is there a textbook to purchase" for more specific details about the app.

Due to the nature of the content and the limited places available we offer the standard seven day cooling-off period according to the consumer legal requirements of Victoria, Australia. We do not offer refunds after the cooling-off period. The cooling-off period begins from the day of purchase.

If you enter into a payment plan for the course and you change your mind or are unable to complete the course for some reason the balance of payments will remain due as you have taken one of the limited places in the course.