In 2023, a thorough inspection mission was carried out on the entire regulatory framework governing animal osteopathy in France. This exercise covered the whole chain involved in structuring the profession, from training through to practice, including assessment methods and administrative oversight.
This mission was entrusted to the CGAAER, a body of expertise and advice attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. It was carried out by two inspectors, Hanane Boutaieb and Pierre Lecouls, acting as independent auditors.
Over nearly a year of investigation, the various stakeholders in the sector were consulted: training organisations in animal osteopathy, bodies representing the profession, as well as the authorities responsible for regulatory oversight, including the national aptitude examination scheme and the role of the Conseil national de l'Ordre des vétérinaires in organising the framework of practice.
In this context, I was called upon on several occasions to contribute to the discussions, notably alongside the collective of animal osteopaths, as well as in my capacity as former president of UFEOA, in order to share insights into the organisation and challenges of the profession.
The aim of this mission was to draw up a comprehensive overview of how the sector operates, in order to analyse its strengths, limitations and future structuring challenges.
The final report was published in March 2024. It presents a series of findings along with seven recommendations aimed at improving the organisation and clarity of the regulatory framework for animal osteopathy in France.
Below you will find the link to this report, along with details of the seven points identified in the mission's conclusions.
The 7 recommendations
R1. Reduce waiting times for the aptitude test by opening a third examination centre, allowing the multiple-choice questionnaire to be taken at all centres, and involving schools in the process of registering their students for the test.
R2. Set up a single body to handle all matters relating to the admissibility test, made up of both dedicated animal osteopaths and veterinary osteopaths, and provide assessment training for members of the admission examination panel.
R3. Legally secure the publication by the CNOV of pass rates for the aptitude test by institution, for the sake of transparency of information towards the public.
R4. Require all schools providing training in animal osteopathy to hold the status of independent private higher education establishment.
R5. Develop common skills and training frameworks that apply to all animal osteopathy training establishments.
R6. Introduce a voluntary institutional service certification scheme for animal osteopathy schools.
R7. Improve and promote access to transparent and objective information on the profession, the training courses and the aptitude test for future students, through collaboration with ONISEP and CIDJ.
