Animal Chiropractic Programs

• Postgraduate Coursework Programs in Animal Chiropractic
• Graduate Diploma (2 years)

Course Information

Animal Chiropractic Course Information

The need for Chiropractic care for a vast range of animals is fast growing, particularly with the growing awareness of Manipulative therapies, and their benefits, not only by animal owners, but also by professional trainers, managers & service providers to animals.

RMIT University introduced the highest level of Animal Chiropractic training in the world, with its Animal Chiropractic Graduate Diploma and Masters Programs, which commenced in 1998. The 2 year Graduate Diploma, and 3 year Masters Degree were only available to qualified, registered Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Veterinarians. Practitioners came from all over Australia, New Zealand and Asia to participate in this ground breaking program.

Over 150 professionals graduated from the Graduate Diploma course over the following 12 years until it was discontinued at the end of 2009. Four practitioners went on to complete the intensive Masters program Ð Kate Haines, Ian Bidstrup, Rowan Kilmartin and Swee Kim Lim. The course continues to provide a springboard for further study. Another course graduate, Lesley Hawson, is currently undertaking a PhD involving equine biomechanics, behaviour/training and horse/saddle/rider interactions. That said, many course graduates find that their day to day practices are so busy that further study is quite difficult Ð there is certainly demand for this form of care for animals.

The termination of the RMIT Animal Chiropractic Program was obviously a huge blow to professionals interested in this field, clients looking for qualified practitioners and the animals who would benefit from appropriate care. The AVCA is highly aware of the gap and is working hard to set up a replacement course. We are very optimistic that we will have a greatly improved replacement running in 2012.

The pre-requisite knowledge for veterinary chiropractic is extremely high, as there is an enormous amount of material to cover in a short time and therefore the replacement course will still only be available to applicants who are qualified and registered Veterinarians, Osteopaths or Chiropractors.

The new course will be a major development from the previous RMIT Program as there will be much new input from those involved in teaching the RMIT program and working in the field Ð experience which was not so readily available when the RMIT Program was developed. There will also be significant input from the Osteopath members of the AVCA, which adds another dimension to the range of evaluation and treatment options explored with students. The course is designed with a high practical component as all instruction and resources are aimed at producing an effective and proficient practitioner who can offer results oriented manipulative therapy options to their patients. Practitioners often also incorporate other recognised modalities such as acupuncture to provide optimum patient care.

Qualified practitioners wishing to express interest in undertaking the new program can contact us by email - secretary@avca.com.au