Canine Physiotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Neurological and Vascular Anatomy

Introduces the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord pathways, and circulatory supply to muscles. Establishes the basis for understanding neurological deficits and tissue healing.

Lesson 2 • Muscular System and Soft Tissue

Examines muscle fiber types, major muscle groups, tendons, and ligaments. Connects tissue properties to injury risk and rehabilitation planning.

Lesson 3 • Skeletal System and Bone Structure

Covers bone classification, joint types, and spinal column organization in dogs. Provides the structural map that underpins every manual and exercise-based intervention.

Lesson 4 • Biomechanics of Canine Movement

Analyzes gait cycles, force transmission, and joint loading during locomotion. Grounds students in movement science needed for gait analysis and exercise prescription.

Lesson 1 • Aging, Obesity, and Systemic Influences

Explores how age-related degeneration, excess body weight, and systemic disease modify rehabilitation needs. Teaches risk stratification for complex patients.

Lesson 2 • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Contexts

Reviews common orthopedic and neurological surgeries and their tissue consequences. Prepares students to collaborate with veterinary surgeons on recovery protocols.

Lesson 3 • Orthopedic Conditions and Joint Disease

Covers osteoarthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and osteochondrosis. Links disease progression to functional deficits that physiotherapy targets.

Lesson 4 • Neurological Conditions Affecting Mobility

Addresses intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathies. Connects neurological deficits to physiotherapy goals and precautions.

Lesson 1 • Outcome Measures and Goal Setting

Introduces validated canine-specific outcome tools and SMART goal frameworks. Ensures treatment plans are measurable and aligned with owner expectations.

Lesson 2 • History Taking and Case Intake

Structures the clinical interview to gather signalment, medical history, and owner concerns. Establishes the information baseline that directs all subsequent assessment steps.

Lesson 3 • Gait Analysis and Locomotion Scoring

Applies validated lameness and gait scoring systems during walk and trot evaluation. Provides objective locomotion data to track treatment progress.

Lesson 4 • Observational and Postural Assessment

Teaches static posture analysis, weight-bearing symmetry, and muscle mass comparison. Develops the visual skills that precede hands-on examination.

Lesson 1 • Canine Pain Science Fundamentals

Explains nociception, central sensitization, and chronic pain mechanisms in dogs. Provides the neurobiological foundation for selecting pain-targeted interventions.

Lesson 2 • Physiotherapy Interventions for Pain Relief

Applies modalities, manual therapy, and exercise as evidence-based pain management tools. Teaches selection logic based on pain type, duration, and patient tolerance.

Lesson 3 • Behavioral Pain Assessment Tools

Trains use of validated observational pain scales and owner-reported questionnaires. Enables objective pain monitoring across treatment sessions.

Lesson 4 • Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Planning

Designs long-term management plans for dogs with persistent pain conditions. Integrates owner education, home exercise, and regular reassessment into sustainable care models.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Agents: Heat and Cold Therapy

Covers physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of superficial heat and cryotherapy. Teaches correct application duration and tissue depth considerations.

Lesson 2 • Therapeutic Ultrasound

Explains thermal and non-thermal ultrasound effects on soft tissue healing and pain. Trains students in parameter selection, coupling, and treatment area calculation.

Lesson 3 • Shockwave and Emerging Modalities

Introduces extracorporeal shockwave therapy and other emerging physical agents. Evaluates current evidence and appropriate patient selection criteria.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Stimulation Modalities

Addresses TENS, NMES, and interferential therapy for pain relief and muscle re-education. Connects waveform selection to specific clinical goals.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Manual Therapy

Establishes the neurophysiological and biomechanical rationale for manual therapy in dogs. Frames graded dosing, patient positioning, and safety considerations.

Lesson 2 • Joint Mobilization Techniques

Teaches oscillatory and sustained joint mobilization for the spine and peripheral joints. Develops skill in selecting grade and direction based on assessment findings.

Lesson 3 • Soft Tissue Mobilization Methods

Covers effleurage, petrissage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. Connects each technique to specific tissue targets identified during assessment.

Lesson 4 • Passive Range of Motion and Stretching

Instructs passive joint movement, static stretching, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for dogs. Teaches dosing parameters to restore flexibility without tissue damage.

Lesson 1 • Range of Motion and Flexibility Exercises

Teaches active-assisted and active range of motion exercises for joint mobility restoration. Bridges passive techniques from manual therapy into active patient participation.

Lesson 2 • Hydrotherapy and Aquatic Rehabilitation

Explains buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance properties of water in canine rehab. Trains students in underwater treadmill and pool swimming protocols.

Lesson 3 • Functional and Sport-Specific Training

Advances rehabilitation toward real-world tasks, agility, and working dog performance demands. Prepares students to bridge clinical recovery with return-to-activity milestones.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Exercise Prescription

Applies FITT principles, tissue healing timelines, and load management to canine exercise design. Establishes the framework for safe, progressive rehabilitation programming.

Lesson 1 • Interprofessional Collaboration

Defines the physiotherapist's role within the veterinary healthcare team. Trains effective referral communication, case conferencing, and scope of practice boundaries.

Lesson 2 • Ethics, Consent, and Animal Welfare

Applies ethical principles, informed consent processes, and animal welfare standards to clinical practice. Prepares students to navigate ethical dilemmas with professional integrity.

Lesson 3 • Evidence-Based Practice in Canine Physiotherapy

Teaches critical appraisal of research literature and integration of evidence into clinical decisions. Builds the habit of reflective, research-informed practice.

Lesson 4 • Case-Based Clinical Integration

Applies all course competencies to complex, multi-condition canine case studies. Consolidates clinical reasoning, treatment planning, and professional communication skills.