“He doesn’t look quite right, he seems to have a sore back, let’s call the osteopath.”
This sentence has been heard regularly in stables for some years now! But given the wide variety of practitioners offering different services in the field of osteopathy, it isn’t always easy to find your way around.
For an osteopathic consultation, it is possible to turn to vets trained in this diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Some of them hold a qualification, the “DIE in veterinary osteopathy”, recognised by the Order of Veterinary Surgeons, although this is not compulsory in order to practise veterinary osteopathy.
Since 2017, animal osteopathy may be practised by non-vets. They must be registered on the RNA (National Register of Competence), a register maintained by the National Council of the Order of Veterinary Surgeons (CNOV).
Those registered on this list have passed an examination, which is compulsory in order to practise. This examination applies to all professionals (those already practising before 2017, as well as all students on completing their studies).
