Have you thought about training to become an Animal Physiotherapist but are unsure how to go about it?
We spoke to Veterinary Nurse Physiotherapist Sam Buss of Surrey Veterinary Physio to discuss her route to becoming a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist and why she thinks physiotherapy is a great diversification route for RVNs.
Career Interview: Veterinary Nurse Physiotherapist – How to become an Animal Physiotherapist
Firstly, how do Veterinary Nurses train to become physiotherapists?
There are currently a few different routes to becoming a Veterinary physio – it used to be that you had to train to be a human physio first, however, that changed quite a few years ago (thankfully!)
Now the most popular route is to study for a Post-Graduate Diploma or Masters through one of the various Universities in the UK (Nottingham Veterinary School is a popular choice) – the majority of these courses work on distance learning with compulsory practical weekends throughout the course. This route takes roughly 2 years.
Another route is via The College of Animal Physiotherapy which again is a mixture of distance learning with practical training days. All routes end with various practical and theory exams as well as a research dissertation. Again, this route takes roughly 2 years.
If you wanted to go back to full-time education you can also study for a Bsc in Veterinary Physiotherapy with Harper Adams University. This particular route takes 4 years but includes one year of work placement.
Whichever route you choose, you have to be prepared to be self-motivated, it is a lot of hard work but I think it is worth it in the end.
So if you undertake one of these courses you will become a Veterinary Physiotherapist?
Yes, however, much like the title of Veterinary Nurse, sadly the Veterinary/Animal physio title is not protected – meaning anyone can use that name. Even if they have not done any additional training.
But to combat this, there are various registers (IAAT, RAMP, IAVRPT, etc) to help Owners ensure they are working with a qualified professional. These voluntary registers ensure the professionals they list have insurance, appropriate qualifications, and keep up with CPD requirements (usually 30 hours per year). They also ensure their members work within the Veterinary Surgeons Acts and only work under Veterinary Referral.
Hopefully, in the future, the RCVS will work to create an official register and protect the title.
What does an average day look like for you?
I currently work 2 days a week in a Veterinary practice and the rest of the time I provide home visits. I am extremely lucky to have a practice that has supported me throughout my training and sees the value of having an onsite physio. I am trained to work with both equine and small animals but I choose to just see small animal species – I am really passionate about increasing the awareness of feline physiotherapy and in the future, I would love to do more with exotics.
My day consists of a number of consults – I see a range of different conditions throughout the day, this can be anything from post-operative management of a CCL, rehabilitation of an FCE, or support of an osteoarthritic cat.
All animals I treat receive a musculoskeletal assessment, gait analysis, and then appropriate treatment – this can vary from massage, and laser therapy to therapeutic ultrasound. I also spend a lot of time discussing exercise and supportive home modifications with owners as well.
After each consult, I come up with an exercise plan for the owners to do between consults, these consist of a few rehabilitation exercises to help support and strengthen the animal appropriately. I then send a report to the animal’s treating Vet (and any other member of the animal’s team – hydrotherapist, behaviourist, etc)
Aside from consults, I spend time doing CPD, following up with any enquires I may have received, and also doing social media advertisements – which I am not the best at keeping up with!
Do you still work as a Veterinary Nurse?
Yes, I still work as an Emergency Nurse undertaking night shifts and I am not sure I am ready to give that up any time soon. I am lucky – I still love being a Vet Nurse! Again, being in a supportive and progressive practice really helps that.
It is hard work doing both jobs but I am not ready to give up being a Nurse just yet. I also feel my nursing knowledge really helps me as a physiotherapist. I want to maintain a high level of knowledge of various medical conditions, so I can fully understand how this may affect the patients I see in consultations.
What do you love about being an animal physiotherapist? Are there any downsides?
Much like being an RVN, I love the bond I get to make with my patients, as a physio, I really get to know them and their owners.
I love getting updates when owners notice improvements in their animals or how they feel more comfortable. Being a physiotherapist is definitely not any kinder on my back than nursing but it is extremely rewarding.
I think with any job there will always be downsides, so far the main one I have found is it can be quite lonely. As an RVN you mainly work as part of a team and have people to share ideas and concerns with, as an animal physio, especially self-employed, you are very much on your own. It can be tough at times, but it is one of the reasons I find it important to keep up my nursing work alongside this.
What advice would you give to Nurses looking to become physiotherapists?
Do your research beforehand and if possible get some work experience/shadow days. Undertaking a physiotherapy qualification is expensive and a big commitment so you need to be sure you fully understand the job beforehand. After qualification, you also have the expense of equipment, insurance, CPD, etc.
There are some great Vet Nurse Physiotherapy CPD available – undertake these first to get a feel for the job and if you believe you will enjoy it. I recommend Practical Physiotherapy for Veterinary Nurses by Innovet CPD.
I also recommend starting nurse clinics for senior patients – as RVNs we already have so much knowledge on how to support these patients and it is a great way of getting a feel for if you enjoy this side of work. Again, the Canine Arthritis Management course is fantastic for anyone interested in this area.
If you are really serious about diversifying to become an animal physiotherapist, talk to your boss/practice about it. See if they can support you in any way. An onsite physio is a great and valuable asset to a vet practice, so ensure they see that value.
