BECOMING A MCTIMONEY ANIMAL PRACTICTIONER

Becoming a McTimoney Animal Practitioner

If you’ve always dreamt of a career working alongside animals, then becoming a McTimoney Animal Practitioner could be the route for you. The McTimoney Approach is a non-invasive, holistic treatment which works to realign and balance animals’ musculoskeletal systems in order to restore health and movement, soundness and overall performance. If variation, fl exibility of working hours and self-management are important to you, then this is a career worth considering.

McTimoney Animal Practitioners all have a common goal; to provide comfort and increase range of movement in order to help their animal clients. Motivation comes from seeing improvements in clients who have been suffering from various symptoms such as muscle tightness, spinal stiffness, lameness or reduced ability to move normally. The key to success in the McTimoney treatment is understanding the importance of a symmetrical spine and level pelvis. If the skeletal structure is asymmetric, then the horse or dog simply cannot move in the same way on both sides, resulting in symptoms such as dragging of toes, less engagement of affected limbs, changes in posture and overall comfort. Whilst soft tissue techniques can alleviate some discomfort, if the skeletal structure remains unbalanced then the muscular system will compensate again over time so the McTimoney technique is vital in providing a long-term successful outcome. Every case is different, and this variation makes every client fascinating to work with.

14 McTimoney Animal Practitioners always work with veterinary permission and are called upon to treat animals with a wide variety of conditions, sometimes where other conventional treatment has not been effective. Patients are often treated following injuries sustained from falls, collisions or tweaks but problems such as excess weight, conformation defects, incorrect foot or rider balance and poor saddle fi tting are also common culprits. With this in mind, it is not only a hugely varied role, but an extremely rewarding one.

“A huge motivation for me is seeing my clients’ horses and dogs return from injury with better results than the prognosis gave them, through careful rehabilitative exercises and treatment plans” says Nikki Routledge, a McTimoney Animal Practitioner of sixteen years. “When you see them back out competing successfully, it’s a really special feeling”.

“Whilst most of my clients are horse owners – refl ecting the development of complementary therapy in the equine industry over the last 25 years – I have also been asked to treat cats, sheep, goats, cows, and even a bull, so you never know what is coming up!”

Having developed the approach in the 1950s, John McTimoney modifi ed his human chiropractic technique to be applied specifi cally upon animals. Today, the McTimoney MSc in Animal Manipulation is the only validated course in Europe in teaching techniques for adjusting animals, training students to the highest practitioner level. Awarded by BPP University London, the programme is designed either for students who already have training in a hands-on therapy (this may include a trained chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath or any other fully qualifi ed and suitably experienced practitioner), for those with a BSc degree in Equine or Animal Science or for those who are a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. ŠStudents from a non-manipulative background will be expected to complete the Graduate Certifi cate in Animal Therapy, whilst those who do not have formal training may submit a portfolio of certifi ed experience for consideration.

Animal Practitioners must have completed the minimum three-year post-graduate training course – including training to Level 7 in Animal Manipulations at the McTimoney College – and must have demonstrated a high level of competency to pass the stringent exams required. This course is designed to allow students to study alongside their current career path and is available to those with a prior degree in related sciences. Upon completion, graduates are fully qualifi ed to offer animals manipulative therapy based on the original McTimoney technique.

A good dose of self-discipline to organise appointments and communicate with clients is required, and self-motivation is necessary, but support is always on hand from fellow practitioners, either through the McTimoney Animal Association (MAA) or through local contact

with practitioners. Once qualifi ed, practitioners are encouraged to join the MAA Membership professional body. All members are fully insured, and this affi liation also gives members key support throughout their careers and professional development opportunities. Practitioners are required to maintain their level of expertise by undertaking minimum of 25 hours CPD (continuing professional development) per year or 75 hours over a three-year span as per the veterinary profession. Ongoing support is provided through the MAA members groups, via CPD days and a dedicated CPD co-ordinator keeps members posted on all CPD events.

“I am constantly developing and evolving as a professional and I never stop learning which gives you a huge sense of self-worth” adds Lucy Goodright, a qualifi ed McTimoney Animal Practitioner for eight years. “Since my McTimoney journey began I have met so many different animals and people and made many friends, it is a part of who I am.”

All McTimoney Animal Practitioners are registered with the McTimoney Animal Association. To fi nd your local practitioner go to www.mctimoneyanimal.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @ McTimoneyAnimalAssociation. For further information on training and to discover more about becoming a practioner, visit to www.animalcareer.co.uk

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