Teaching old dogs and horses new tricks
Queensland is leading the way in teaching the world’s physiotherapists the skills needed to work on dogs, horses and other animals.
Physiotherapists trained to work on people are ? ocking from all over the world to the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus to undertake a Masters of Animal Studies (Animal Physiotherapy). The masters program, open only to qualified physiotherapists with at least two years experience working on humans, is one of only two such courses offered in the world.
The program is coordinated by Dr Catherine McGowan, (top right) who was previously director of the world’s only other comparable course, a Masters of Veterinary Physiotherapy at The Royal Veterinary College, London.
Dr McGowan said recent advances in veterinary surgical skills meant more animals were being operated on and given a second chance of continuing an active life. “There is a real need for physios with the skills to work on animals because money spent on surgery can be wasted if you can’t follow up with post-operative rehabilitation,” she said.
Dr McGowan said that physios are only permitted to work on animals that have been referred by a veterinarian.
This year’s student intake includes physios from the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and Malta.
“Our program focuses on translating the skills physios already have from working on humans to working on animals, so that we can get pets active again and even riding a surfboard if that’s what they like to do!” she said.
Exercise-based rehabilitation for dogs includes the use of balance boards and hydrotherapy.
One of the program’s lecturers is leading animal physiotherapist Narelle Stubbs, (above right) who has been the official physio for both horses and riders in the Australian Olympic equestrian team since 1998.
“Physiotherapy is just as important for animals as it is for people in contributing to a healthy and happy life” she said.
Narelle is currently doing PhD research at Gatton on back pain in horses.
At BIO2004 in San Francisco, Premier Peter Beattie announced Smart State Research Facilities Funding of $9.5 million to build the Centre for Advanced Animal Science at UQ’s Gatton Campus.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will contribute another $9 million towards the new centre which will do research into animal nutrition, diseases and vaccines, biotechnology, animal welfare and food quality and safety.