Animal Rehabilitation & Physical Therapies

Qualifications in Canine Hydrotherapy, Equine Hydrotherapy, Canine Massage Therapy, Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation, Veterinary Laser Applications, Animal Osteopathy, and Leadership and Management for Animal Rehabilitation Services

Who are these qualifications for?

Several of the GA Animal Therapies qualifications are endorsed by the Institute of Registered Veterinary Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and its sub-group, the Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH), as well as by National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (NARCH). Please refer to the Qualification Specifications for full details.

GA Level 4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy - This is an ideal qualification for individuals wishing to work in canine hydrotherapy or those who have already started a career in animal hydrotherapy, who wish to gain a formal qualification in the field.
GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy (Bridging Qualification) - This is ideal for practitioners who have already achieved a Level 3 qualification in animal hydrotherapy and wish to advance their existing certification to a specialist certification in canine hydrotherapy at Level 4.
GA Level 4 Award in Advanced Aquatic Treadmill Therapies - This is ideal for practitioners with experience of working with canines and in small animal hydrotherapy and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification, who wish to advance their skills to include the use of aquatic treadmill therapies.
GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy for Musculoskeletal Practitioners - This qualification is ideal for animal musculoskeletal practitioners such as animal osteopaths or veterinary physiotherapists who wish to add the specialism of canine hydrotherapy to their practice.
GA Level 4 Certificate in the Principles of Equine Hydrotherapy - This is a theory-based qualification, ideal for professionals who wish to enter a career in, or enhance their knowledge of, equine hydrotherapy. Successful learners may progress to the Diploma in Applied Equine Hydrotherapy.
GA Level 4 Diploma in Applied Equine Hydrotherapy - This is an ideal qualification for professionals who wish to enter a career in, or enhance their expertise in, treating horses through hydrotherapy
GA Level 4 Award in the Principles of Animal Laser Therapies - This qualification is ideal for professionals wanting to learn more about the principles of canine laser therapy, latest laser technologies, protocols, and health and safety regulations
GA Level 4 Diploma in the Principles of Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy) - This qualification is designed for individuals seeking to increase their knowledge and understanding of canine Galen Myofascial therapy.
GA Level 4 Diploma in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy) and GA Level 4 Diploma in the Practice of Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy) - These qualifications are designed for aspiring Galen Canine Myotherapists who want to work with dogs experiencing chronic musculoskeletal conditions using specialist manual therapy techniques. These are ideal for career changers and existing professionals seeking to establish professional practice in canine Galen Myofascial therapy.
GA Level 4 Certificate in the in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation for Veterinary Surgeons (Galen Myotherapy) - This qualification is designed specifically for qualified and experienced veterinary surgeons, enabling them to extend their professional skill set into the field of canine myofascial rehabilitation.
GA Level 4 Certificate in Animal Laser Applications - This is an ideal qualification for existing animal therapies practitioners wishing to enter a career, enhance their expertise, or start a new business, in the practical use of animal laser therapies.
GA Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Canine Massage Therapy - This is an ideal qualification for individuals wishing to provide canine massage therapy for musculoskeletal and soft tissue dysfunction and for chronic pain management. The qualification is inclusive of the study and practical application of the Lenton Method® of Neuromyofascial Release.
GA Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management for Animal Rehabilitation Services - This qualification is ideal for anyone working, or aspiring to work, in a senior role in leadership and management within an animal rehabilitation service.
GA Level 6 Diploma in Animal Osteopathy - This is designed for practitioners seeking advanced professional competence in treating animals using osteopathic principles and techniques who are looking to specialise in animal osteopathy through evidence-based practice and comprehensive clinical skills.

Qualification Approval for Existing Centres

I am already an approved GA centre and interested in adding these qualifications to my approval.

UK Centre Approval

I am not an approved centre and interested in offering these qualifications in the UK.

International Centre Approval

I am not an approved centre and interested in offering these qualifications outside of the UK.

About these qualifications

GA level 4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy

Ref: 610/5135/4 GLH: 236 TQT: 480 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

    GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy (Bridging Qualification)

    Ref: 610/5136/6 GLH: 123 TQT: 270 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

      GA Level 4 Award in Advanced Aquatic Treadmill Therapies

      Ref: 610/5254/1 GLH: 53 TQT: 110 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

        GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy for Musculoskeletal Practitioners

        Ref: 610/5255/3 GLH: 106 TQT: 250 Minimum Age: 19 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

          GA Level 4 Certificate in the Principles of Equine Hydrotherapy

          Ref: 610/6475/0 GLH: 94 TQT: 300 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

            GA Level 4 Diploma in Applied Equine Hydrotherapy

            Ref: 610/5026/X GLH: 169 TQT: 400 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

              GA Level 4 Award in the Principles of Animal Laser Therapies

              Ref: 610/5338/7 GLH: 40 TQT: 110 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                GA Level 4 Certificate in Animal Laser Applications

                Ref: 610/5339/9 GLH: 106 TQT: 260 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                  GA Level 4 Diploma in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy)

                  Ref: 610/6808/1 GLH: 207 TQT: 690 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                    GA Level 4 Diploma in the Principles of Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy)

                    Ref: 610/7016/6 GLH: 97 TQT: 520 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                      GA Level 4 Diploma in the Practice of Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy)

                      Ref: 610/7297/7 GLH: 154 TQT: 400 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                        GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation for Veterinary Surgeons (Galen Myotherapy)

                        Ref: 610/7298/9 GLH: 124 TQT: 240 Minimum Age: 19 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                          GA Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Canine Massage Therapy

                          Ref: 610/6519/5 GLH: 254 TQT: 960 Minimum Age: 21 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                            GA Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management for Animal Rehabilitation Service

                            Ref: 610/7151/1 GLH: 105 TQT: 210 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                              GA Level 6 Diploma in Animal Osteopathy

                              Ref: 610/5388/0 GLH: 568 TQT: 1200 Minimum Age: 18 Method of Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

                                Qualification Specifications and Useful Information

                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy V1.3 March 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy (Bridging Qualification) V1.3 March 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Award in Advanced Aquatic Treadmill Therapies V1.1 March 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy for Musculoskeletal Practitioners V1.3 Jan 2026
                                GA Qualification Specification Level 4 Certificate in the Principles of Equine Hydrotherapy V1 Sept 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Diploma in Applied Equine Hydrotherapy V1.3 March 2026
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Award in Principles of Animal Laser Therapies V2.1 Apr 26
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Certificate in Animal Laser Applications V2 Nov 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Diploma in the Principles of Canine Myofascial Rehab (Galen Myotherapy) V1 Feb 2026
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Diploma in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy) V1.1 Jan 2026
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Diploma in the Practice of Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation (Galen Myotherapy) April 2026
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 4 Certificate in Canine Myofascial Rehabilitation for Veterinary Surgeons (Galen Myotherapy) April 2026
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Canine Massage Therapy V2 Nov 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 6 Diploma in Animal Osteopathy V1 Feb 2025
                                Qualification Specification GA Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management for Animal Rehabilitation Services V1 March 2026

                                Qualification Approval for Existing Centres

                                I am already an approved GA centre and interested in adding these qualifications to my approval.

                                UK Centre
                                Approval

                                I am not an approved centre and interested in offering these qualifications in the UK.

                                International Centre Approval

                                I am not an approved centre and interested in offering these qualifications outside of the UK.

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