Animal Osteopathy
How does the course work?
The academic year starts in September and ends in June, for a total of ten months, with no entrance test.
The names of the teachers accredited by Istituto ISAO are among the leading experts in their respective fields, to guarantee students high-quality, high-level training. The teaching offer is also enriched by lessons in English, to help students engage easily and from the outset with a future international clientele.
The teaching method is blended, with a predominant role for practice, divided as follows: online theory, in-person theory, clinical practice.
Lessons take place once a month over a full weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), as follows:
- Friday: distance learning
- Saturday: in-person teaching and/or clinical practice
- Sunday: in-person teaching and/or clinical practice
Teaching programme
Preparatory year
A theoretical and practical course for those who do not hold a health-science degree or an osteopathy diploma.
All the basic knowledge needed to access 1st-year Osteo will be provided.
Theory lessons are given at a distance, while practical teaching is delivered exclusively in person so that students can properly learn the essential manoeuvres.
1st Year
The first year focuses on basic lessons in anatomy and in classical and modern osteopathy applied to dogs and horses.
We start from the appendicular skeleton, studying the structural and fascial aspects, then move on to the more complex craniosacral and sacroiliac systems and their biomechanical connections, osteopathic assessment and corrective treatments.
Lessons are mainly in person, given the practical nature of the course, using the cutting-edge approaches and methods that distinguish ISAO.
2nd Year
The second year focuses on approach, assessment, differential analysis and the veterinary examination to identify red flags concerning the axial skeleton. From there we move on to the study of the “anatomical map”, which allows the points to be treated to be located precisely.
Students practise direct and reflex corrective techniques, muscle energy, and articular, lymphatic, fascial and craniosacral techniques with specialised teachers.
During the year, students will complete teaching placements in affiliated veterinary clinics, riding schools and dog training centres.
3rd Year
The final year of the ISAO course centres on advanced assessment and the identification of osteopathic lesions and/or dysfunctions, through the study of specific and varied clinical cases. Craniosacral work will be completed and combined with visceral osteopathy.
Students will attend single-topic seminars on athletic preparation, post-competition care and specific traumas of sporting dogs and horses, with the most important national and international experts in the field.
To enrich and complete the training, some lessons will also be dedicated to reptiles, lizards, non-conventional animals and birds of prey.
Lesson calendar
11–13 September 2026 – New class starts
9–11 October 2026
13–15 November 2026
18–20 December 2026
15–17 January 2027
12–14 February 2027
12–14 March 2027 – New class starts
9–11 April 2027
7–9 May 2027
4–6 June 2027
10–12 September 2027 – New class starts
8–10 October 2027
12–14 November 2027
10–12 December 2027
Certified qualifications and certificates
Throughout the training path, students are constantly supported by qualified tutors and can take advantage of personalised meetings with the various ISAO professionals to draw up a project aimed at entering the world of work.
The professional qualification certificate gives graduates a range of job possibilities in various settings, as freelance professionals or directly within facilities, supporting the services of veterinarians, trainers and animal protection and conservation bodies.
Teaching materials
The teaching materials, provided directly by Istituto ISAO and available on the dedicated portal, include:
- Supplementary handouts
- Summary notes
- In-depth webinars
- Practical tutorials
- Scientific research literature
In-person lessons also feature an interactive approach, with activities such as in-depth meetings, lab days with support tutors, field research and school events. A path that leads to the possibility of publication in the main journals of the field.
