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Veterinary physiotherapist
Animal physiotherapist
Veterinary physiotherapists work with injured animals, or animals with movement problems, to help reduce pain and improve their health.
Average salary (a year)
£24000
Starter
£38000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38.0 to 42.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
on call
as customers demand
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; specialist courses run by private training organisations
University
You'll usually need to study one of the following qualifications:a degree in veterinary physiotherapy, a degree in human physiotherapy, approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
If you have completed a degree in human physiotherapy, or animal science, you could apply for a place on a postgraduate master's course in animal physiotherapy.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
finance for postgraduate courses|https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could start your career by doing a Physiotherapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. You could then go on to complete a postgraduate award in veterinary physiotherapy.
This apprenticeship can take around 4 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Other Routes
You could train in animal massage or animal hydrotherapy, if you do not have a degree but want to work in a related area.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You can join the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy for professional development and training opportunities.
Further Information
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Sensitivity and understanding
    To enjoy working with other people
    Customer service skills
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    Analytical thinking skills
    To be flexible and open to change
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    Knowledge of medicine and dentistry
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As an animal physiotherapist, you could
learn about an animal's medical history from its owner, keeper or vet, work with animals in recovery after operations or accidents, plan exercise programmes, use manual and electrotherapy methods to reduce pain and help movement, write reports on an animal's rehabilitation progress, use massage and hydrotherapy techniques
Working environment
You could work at a veterinary practice, in a therapy clinic, on a farm, at a wildlife park or at a zoo.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could become a senior physiotherapist, or a specialist physiotherapist for animal breathing conditions or problems affecting the nervous system.
You could also set up your own animal physiotherapy practice or move into research.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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