Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in the "not dog or horse"
What you'll learn
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in animal species other than dogs and horses
- Focuses on cats and rabbits, as they are a common owned species, whilst exploring a variety of other species
- Compare anatomy including pedal anatomy between species
- Learn to make a rehabilitation plan for the needs of any species
- Explore behaviour, diet and the relevance of this
- Explore gait and movement variation and how we can use that to develop the rehabilitation plan
- How build rehab plans, exploring land based exercises and electrotherapies
- How to approach the patient and history taking
- Body assessment and body condition scoring
- Drugs they may have available and the complexity of that subject
- Fitness and preparing for exercise
- By the end of the course you will feel confident when you get a call for an unusual patient
- Certificate on completion
Requirements
- For people already qualified in animal physiotherapy, or currently enrolled and studying this qualification
Description
When we first become animal physiotherapists, or animal rehabilitation practitioners, the focus is on dogs and horses as they are the most explored and most popular domesticated species.
This course is accredited by IRVAP (Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists)
Donna Wills has had extensive experience working with many other species and has lectured on this subjects for many years.
Following this course, you will feel more confident treating cats and rabbits as they are the next most common species owned and treated.
Donna will guide you through comparing and contrasting a variety of species so you can learn to think about how to approach any specie.
There is reference to various species including Cows, Elephants, Skunks, Alpaca and Birds, to name a few.
You will feel able to recognise the importance of understanding how diet, behaviour and anatomy must all be understood to make the most effective rehabilitation plan.
This is just the start of your journey to getting to grips with treating other species and will help your confidence grow. This course is not an exhaustive list of information. On treating more exotic animals further research and updating must be done for your own safety. Ensure you keep your safety in mind at all times. This course takes no responsibility for your safety in treating other species and we would always encourage gaining more practical experience with qualified professionals, to further enhance what you learn here.
Who this course is for:
- Qualified or student animal physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths. Animal rehabilitation practitioners. Veterinary Surgeons. Veterinary nurses/technicians
- This is a CPD (continued professional development) designed to enhance previous qualification. It is not a stand alone course to qualify you in animal rehabilitation.
- Animal Rehabilitation professionals who want to feel more confident treating cats, rabbits and other species they may come across
Instructor
Donna Wills PGC A Phys, RVN, MIRVAPT (VP). Member of IAAT, and BVNA - Founder of Animal Physiotherapy Ltd. Registered with the RCVS
Donna Wills, an animal physiotherapist, who passed her post-graduate qualification in animal physiotherapy with distinction in 2005. Prior to this she qualified as a veterinary nurse. Donna is registered with the RCVS (royal collage of veterinary surgeons). Donna offers physiotherapy to all animals in need of the therapeutic touch.
Her nursing work also included specialising in emergency and critical care nursing for a time. Donna has worked in this profession for many years and is a member of BVNA (British veterinary nursing association).
Donna has a life time experience in working with many species including domestic pets, equine and farm animals. She has also cared for many exotic and zoo animals. Most recently she spent a week furthering her ability and treating Elephants in Thailand.
As part of her training in physiotherapy Donna had to write a dissertation. For this she did an extensive study into the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in the canine suffering with osteoarthritis. This study did help to prove its effectiveness. She was delighted to find that treatment using this new technique had a significant positive effect on animals suffering with osteoarthritis. She also achieved a distinction for this study!
Donna is now an accredited practical trainer and mentor for new animal physiotherapists. She has also done many lectures in this field.
Member of the International Association of Animal Therapists
Member of The British Veterinary Nursing Association
Registered with the Royal Collage of veterinary surgeons (RCVS)
Member of the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAPT)
Donna has been the driving force for the company and has done large amounts in promoting the effects of physiotherapy to the general public and veterinary professionals alike. She has covered large areas of the south of the UK, but has down sized to make space for family life. Donna was even head hunted to provide the service for Harrods, London when they had the pet spa there.
At the pet spa at Harrods, Donna delivered both physio therapy and luxury massage, refining her skill in massage and calming.
Donna has grown in the profession to become a known name, and even has her own DVD now. She is well established and many vets rely on her for their patients physiotherapy needs.
Donna Wills has lectured at the following establishments:
Multiple veterinary practices
BVNA Congress
BVNA regional meeting
Improve international in the UK and in Denmark
Excel, London - Rehabilitation congress
Dog owner education Show
Training collage of Animal Physiotherapy
Justo Development
Donna Has also written multiple professional articles for several publications including:
Veterinary nursing times several times
Veterinary Times
Veterinary nursing Journal
Animal Therapy Magazine
More famously you may have seen her on the T.V. as she has appeared on Ch4 Sunday brunch and Crufts extra, ITV Allan Titchmarsh Show and daybreak. She has also been featured on BBC London radio 3 times. There has been multiple publication globally, that have featured her work in this industry.
Donna is now also a Mentor for the Online pet health Mentorship program and has 5 mentees.