Canine Spine: Advanced Clinical Assessment
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FOR VETERINARIANS, VETERINARY NURSES, ANIMAL OSTEOPATHS, VET PHYSIOS AND VETERINARY CHIROPRACTORS.
This small group workshop will run on the 27th and 28th of November 2026.
Develop a structured approach to canine spinal assessment
Spinal assessment requires the practitioner to work with precision while continuing to observe the whole dog. A finding in one region must be considered alongside posture, muscle tone, limb loading, movement through the ribcage and pelvis, and the dog’s response to contact.
AOI teaches a structured approach to orientation and palpation. Relevant anatomy and arthrokinematics are revisited directly on the dog, with demonstrations broken down to clarify anatomical landmarks, hand placement, direction of movement and the amount of force required. Participants then practise each element in small stages, compare their findings and receive immediate feedback from the teaching team.
The structure is not presented as a rigid recipe. Students are encouraged to consider whether a finding is repeatable, how positioning may be influencing what they feel, and whether the dog’s response changes the interpretation of the assessment. Guided practice, clinical discussion and case examples help participants connect individual findings with the wider presentation of the patient.
The aim is to help practitioners develop a spinal assessment process that is systematic, adaptable and clinically considered—while retaining the sensitivity needed to work comfortably and respectfully with each dog.
This balance between systematic assessment and whole-patient awareness is one of the areas explored in our practical canine spine workshop.
This two-day workshop is ideal if you:
📍Have difficulty localising dysfunction within biomechanical cases.
📍Wish you could palpate spinal joints and muscles more effectively.
📍Feel that diagnostic imaging results don’t always correlate with clinical presentation.
📍Believe that compensation patterns may be part of the bigger picture.
📍Have limited access to structured training in orthopaedic palpation and joint function assessment.
Join us for an immersive, small-group 2-day CPD event designed to refine and elevate your clinical assessment of the canine spine.
Through a blend of theory, demonstration, and hands-on practical sessions, this workshop will deepen your understanding of spinal anatomy, arthrokinematics, muscle testing, and passive assessment, helping you approach clinical cases with more confidence, accuracy, and efficiency.
This is a relaxed, discussion-rich environment where you can ask questions, explore case examples, and practise techniques under close guidance — ideal for professionals who enjoy learning through doing.
Who is leading the workshop?
Eleanor Andrews (osteopath, lecturer and writer) is AOI’s Director of Education and a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy, leading the institute’s flagship training programmes.
With international teaching experience and extensive clinical expertise, she is dedicated to advancing osteopathic practice within the veterinary profession.
Eleanor is passionate about developing clinical reasoning, practical skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work has supported hundreds of professionals to elevate patient outcomes.
Who would benefit from the workshop?
This course is ideal for:
🐾 Small animal veterinarians or vet nurses looking to refine orthopaedic and musculoskeletal assessment skills.
🐾 Canine professionals such as animal osteopaths, veterinary physiotherapists or veterinary chiropractors.
🐾 Experienced canine practitioners seeking to build on existing knowledge in a supportive, practical learning space. Accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Whether you’re new to detailed spinal assessment or simply looking to enhance your hands-on confidence, this workshop provides the structure and space to develop your skills in depth.
What will you learn?
Over two days you will:
🐕 Strengthen your functional understanding of canine spinal anatomy.
🐕 Improve your palpation and passive movement assessment skills.
🐕 Learn muscle testing methods and what they reveal about function and compensation.
🐕 Develop a structured, confident approach to spinal evaluation.
Return to clinic with immediately applicable techniques.
For more information on how to apply: https://animalosteopathyinternational.com/enhancing-clinical-assessment-of-the-canine-spine
This small group workshop will run on the 27th and 28th of November 2026.
Develop a structured approach to canine spinal assessment
Spinal assessment requires the practitioner to work with precision while continuing to observe the whole dog. A finding in one region must be considered alongside posture, muscle tone, limb loading, movement through the ribcage and pelvis, and the dog’s response to contact.
AOI teaches a structured approach to orientation and palpation. Relevant anatomy and arthrokinematics are revisited directly on the dog, with demonstrations broken down to clarify anatomical landmarks, hand placement, direction of movement and the amount of force required. Participants then practise each element in small stages, compare their findings and receive immediate feedback from the teaching team.
The structure is not presented as a rigid recipe. Students are encouraged to consider whether a finding is repeatable, how positioning may be influencing what they feel, and whether the dog’s response changes the interpretation of the assessment. Guided practice, clinical discussion and case examples help participants connect individual findings with the wider presentation of the patient.
The aim is to help practitioners develop a spinal assessment process that is systematic, adaptable and clinically considered—while retaining the sensitivity needed to work comfortably and respectfully with each dog.
This balance between systematic assessment and whole-patient awareness is one of the areas explored in our practical canine spine workshop.
This two-day workshop is ideal if you:
📍Have difficulty localising dysfunction within biomechanical cases.
📍Wish you could palpate spinal joints and muscles more effectively.
📍Feel that diagnostic imaging results don’t always correlate with clinical presentation.
📍Believe that compensation patterns may be part of the bigger picture.
📍Have limited access to structured training in orthopaedic palpation and joint function assessment.
Join us for an immersive, small-group 2-day CPD event designed to refine and elevate your clinical assessment of the canine spine.
Through a blend of theory, demonstration, and hands-on practical sessions, this workshop will deepen your understanding of spinal anatomy, arthrokinematics, muscle testing, and passive assessment, helping you approach clinical cases with more confidence, accuracy, and efficiency.
This is a relaxed, discussion-rich environment where you can ask questions, explore case examples, and practise techniques under close guidance — ideal for professionals who enjoy learning through doing.
Who is leading the workshop?
Eleanor Andrews (osteopath, lecturer and writer) is AOI’s Director of Education and a Master Practitioner of Animal Osteopathy, leading the institute’s flagship training programmes.
With international teaching experience and extensive clinical expertise, she is dedicated to advancing osteopathic practice within the veterinary profession.
Eleanor is passionate about developing clinical reasoning, practical skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work has supported hundreds of professionals to elevate patient outcomes.
Who would benefit from the workshop?
This course is ideal for:
🐾 Small animal veterinarians or vet nurses looking to refine orthopaedic and musculoskeletal assessment skills.
🐾 Canine professionals such as animal osteopaths, veterinary physiotherapists or veterinary chiropractors.
🐾 Experienced canine practitioners seeking to build on existing knowledge in a supportive, practical learning space. Accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Whether you’re new to detailed spinal assessment or simply looking to enhance your hands-on confidence, this workshop provides the structure and space to develop your skills in depth.
What will you learn?
Over two days you will:
🐕 Strengthen your functional understanding of canine spinal anatomy.
🐕 Improve your palpation and passive movement assessment skills.
🐕 Learn muscle testing methods and what they reveal about function and compensation.
🐕 Develop a structured, confident approach to spinal evaluation.
Return to clinic with immediately applicable techniques.
For more information on how to apply: https://animalosteopathyinternational.com/enhancing-clinical-assessment-of-the-canine-spine
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Where is it happening?
Efford Park Lymington Offices, Contigo Productions, Lymington, SO41 0JD, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherAnimal Osteopathy International
