HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2250
animal therapist
Animal therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral.
About animal therapist
As an animal therapist, you will provide therapeutic treatments to animals following veterinary diagnosis or referral, helping them recover from injury, illness, or surgery through specialized rehabilitation programs. Your day-to-day work involves assessing animals' physical conditions and rehabilitation needs, designing and implementing tailored therapeutic exercises and treatments, and monitoring their progress throughout the recovery process. You will handle animals with care and compassion while maintaining strict biosecurity protocols and applying safe work practices in veterinary settings. You must stay informed about animal welfare legislation and best practices for environmental enrichment, and you will work closely with veterinarians and other animal care professionals to ensure holistic treatment. This meaningful role offers the opportunity to make a direct positive impact on animal health and welfare, with growing opportunities in Poland's expanding animal rehabilitation and welfare sectors.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a animal therapist.
1
Animal Assessment and Rehabilitation Planning
- Assess animals' physical conditions and rehabilitation requirements following veterinary referral
- Develop customized rehabilitation programs based on animal species, age, and condition
- Monitor animal progress and adjust therapeutic plans accordingly
2
Therapeutic Treatment and Exercise
- Plan and execute physical rehabilitation exercises for injured or recovering animals
- Apply therapeutic techniques including massage, heat therapy, and hydrotherapy
- Prepare therapeutic equipment and ensure its proper maintenance and sterilization
3
Animal Health Monitoring and Welfare
- Monitor animal welfare and recognize signs of illness, pain, or distress
- Apply animal hygiene practices and biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission
- Advise on environmental enrichment and proper animal husbandry practices
4
Safety and Emergency Management
- Protect personal health and safety when handling animals and using equipment
- Apply safe work practices in veterinary settings and follow biosecurity guidelines
- Handle veterinary emergencies and provide appropriate emergency first aid
5
Professional Development and Collaboration
- Collaborate with veterinarians and other animal care professionals on treatment plans
- Stay informed about animal welfare legislation and regulatory requirements
- Manage personal professional development through continuing education and training
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (20)
signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...physiology of animalsphysiology of animalsThe study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.environmental enrichment for animalsenvironmental enrichment for animalsTypes, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, so...anatomy of animalsanatomy of animalsThe study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...assess the animal’s rehabilitation requirementsassess the animal’s rehabilitation requirementsAssess the animal’s rehabilitation requirements in accordance with its current condition and according to referral from a veterinary surgeon, taking into account pre-existing health conditions e.g. di...protect health and safety when handling animalsprotect health and safety when handling animalsProtect health and welfare of animals and their handlers.prepare animal therapy equipmentprepare animal therapy equipmentEnsure that animal therapy equipment is assembled and prepared for use, including personal protective equipment.'.apply safe work practices in a veterinary settingapply safe work practices in a veterinary settingApply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemi...plan physical rehabilitation of animalsplan physical rehabilitation of animalsDevelop a plan for the handling of animals undergoing physical rehabilitation treatment, considering relevant characteristics, e.g. age, species, surroundings, prior experiences, owner’s influence, cu...apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...advise on animal welfareadvise on animal welfarePrepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommenda...biosecurity related to animalsbiosecurity related to animalsAwareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.deal with challenging peopledeal with challenging peopleWork safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how...
Optional (36)
veterinary terminologyveterinary terminologySpelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.animal production scienceanimal production scienceAnimal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.assistive instrumentsassistive instrumentsThe field of dealing with people in need of service animals and the working of assistive devices and technologies.safe work practices in a veterinary settingsafe work practices in a veterinary settingSafe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, ...take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary sciencetake advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary scienceUse different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.treat animals ethicallytreat animals ethicallyCarry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.understand the animal's situationunderstand the animal's situationCategorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.collaborate with animal related professionalscollaborate with animal related professionalsCollaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorMaintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'.maintain veterinary clinical recordsmaintain veterinary clinical recordsCreate and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.provide osteopathic treatment to animalsprovide osteopathic treatment to animalsApply osteopathic techniques and advise on and formulate plans for osteopathic treatment of animals.provide mentorshipprovide mentorshipGuide and support less knowledgeable or less experienced colleagues.calculate rates per hourscalculate rates per hoursMake simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.interact safely with animalsinteract safely with animalsEnsure a safe and humane interaction with the animal avoiding factors that will negatively affect their behaviours. This includes the use of humane training aids/equipment, as well as explaining their...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.assess animal nutritionassess animal nutritionAssess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.provide support to veterinary clientsprovide support to veterinary clientsAssist clients seeking veterinary treatment and during the provision of veterinary services. Aid clients with the care of their animals by demonstrating care techniques and use of veterinary products....assess animal's conditionassess animal's conditionInspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.administer hydrotherapyadminister hydrotherapyFormulate treatment plans and provide hydrotherapy treatment.make decisions regarding the animal's welfaremake decisions regarding the animal's welfareMake a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.design plans to address undesirable behaviour in animalsdesign plans to address undesirable behaviour in animalsGather information about the animal behaviour issues, interpret relevant information about the animal, assess the impact of external factors, and assess husbandry/management practices on the animal to...select animals for trainingselect animals for trainingSelect animals for training using selection criteria including intended outcome of training, age, temperament, species and breed differences. Selection of animals for training includes basic training ...prescribe physical therapy to animalsprescribe physical therapy to animalsPrescribe physical methods for therapy in animals, such as modification of exercise, massage, heat treatment, electrical and other wave based treatments.use animal chiropractic techniquesuse animal chiropractic techniquesProvide chiropractic treatment to animals, including designing a treatment plan and applying appropriate chiropractic techniques to animals.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.advise on long-term care for animalsadvise on long-term care for animalsDevelop plans for long-term care for animals, including consideration of environmental factors. Advise animal owners on long-term care.perform massage techniques on animalsperform massage techniques on animalsDesign a massage treatment plan, provide advice and use appropriate massage techniques on animals.interview animal owners on animals' conditionsinterview animal owners on animals' conditionsAsk questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.develop an animal handling strategydevelop an animal handling strategyDevelop plans and strategies to deal with the animal in order to achieve established goals and optimal results.'.assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.provide animal trainingprovide animal trainingProvide training in basic handling, habituation, and obedience to enable the completion of day-to-day tasks while minimising the risks to the animal, the handler, and others.use physiotherapy for treatment of animalsuse physiotherapy for treatment of animalsAdapt human physical therapy techniques to increase function and mobility of joints and muscles in animals. The goal of physical therapy for animals is to improve quality of life and decrease pain. Co...manage animal welfaremanage animal welfarePlan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.
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