Animal therapist

About this career

Animal therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral.

Essential skills

advise on animal welfare apply animal hygiene practices apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting assess the animal’s rehabilitation requirements deal with challenging people handle veterinary emergencies manage animal biosecurity manage personal professional development monitor the welfare of animals plan physical rehabilitation of animals prepare animal therapy equipment protect health and safety when handling animals

Required knowledge

anatomy of animals animal behaviour animal welfare animal welfare legislation biosecurity related to animals environmental enrichment for animals physiology of animals signs of animal illness

Additional skills

administer hydrotherapy advise on long-term care for animals apply numeracy skills assess animal behaviour assess animal nutrition assess animal's condition calculate rates per hours collaborate with animal related professionals communicate with customers control animal movement cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sector design plans to address undesirable behaviour in animals develop an animal handling strategy interact safely with animals interview animal owners on animals' conditions maintain animal accommodation hygienic maintain veterinary clinical records make decisions regarding the animal's welfare manage animal welfare perform massage techniques on animals prescribe physical therapy to animals provide animal training provide mentorship provide osteopathic treatment to animals provide support to veterinary clients select animals for training take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary science treat animals ethically understand the animal's situation use animal chiropractic techniques use different communication channels use physiotherapy for treatment of animals animal production science assistive instruments safe work practices in a veterinary setting veterinary terminology

Also known as

animal convalescence therapist animal rehab therapist animal rehabilitation therapist animal therapists