IAVC Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic — Both Species (Dogs and Horses)

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Schedule

Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic

Germany dates are usually listed as four practical sessions. The UK option covers the same Essentials curriculum in three practical sessions by combining cervical and extremity work. Exact dates and timing are confirmed for the selected course.

Getting Started: The initial in-person practical session with dogs and horses includes animal safety and handling, plus an introduction to the most important aspects of animal chiropractic treatment. The skills development focus includes patient assessment and motion palpation, doctor hand and body positioning, and comprehensive chiropractic treatment techniques of the canine and equine sacropelvic and thoracolumbar regions. Dissected specimens are used to expand students' anatomical and biomechanical understanding.
Skills development focuses on the unique chiropractic assessment and treatment techniques of the cervical spine. Further practical sessions with dogs and horses focus on new doctor hand and body positioning relative to the cervical region. Sacropelvic and thoracolumbar assessment and treatment techniques will be reviewed and practised. Dissected specimens are used to enhance students' anatomical and biomechanical understanding.
Skills development focuses on the unique chiropractic assessment and treatment techniques of the extremities. Further practical sessions with dogs and horses focus on new doctor hand and body positioning relative to the extremities. Cervical assessment and treatment techniques will be reviewed and practised. Dissected specimens are used to enhance students' anatomical and biomechanical understanding.
A review of all animal chiropractic examination and treatment techniques takes place during the final practical session. Workshop sessions with dogs and horses now focus on case management and full chiropractic treatment of the quadruped, as well as a final practical student assessment.
Completion of practical sessions focusing on all body regions (sacropelvic, thoracolumbar, cervical, and extremities), as well as a successful practical student assessment, awards the participant the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic Certification.

Eligibility: Doctors of chiropractic, veterinarians, and final-year students enrolled in these professional programmes.
Theory access: Online theory starts after full registration
Languages: Theory: EnglishPractical teaching, materials, and exams: English and German.

Focus

Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic: Canine and Equine

Designed for busy professionals, the Hybrid Essentials Course provides a strong foundation in animal chiropractic across multiple species. Using both dogs and horses as learning models, participants gain a unique comparative perspective that builds clinical confidence and broadens practical skills.

Online theory is combined with interactive, hands-on training, allowing students to quickly develop assessment and treatment techniques while applying their learning between sessions. As the course progresses, advanced skills and clinical integration are introduced, leading to effective case management strategies.

This proven IAVC programme is our most popular course and has trained the majority of animal chiropractic practitioners currently practising throughout Europe.

Course atmosphere

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Curriculum

Curriculum.

The core curriculum for the essential course concentrates on the dog and horse. The IAVC offers the student a thorough review of anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, relevant pathology, physiology, ethics, philosophy, and legalities associated with animal chiropractic combined with hours of hands-on laboratory instruction in specific examination and adjusting techniques, topography, motion palpation, dissection, safety, and handling. The course provides the skills for the participants to apply this knowledge.

Some of the topics outlined below obviously represent a review for chiropractors and others a review for veterinarians. This form of review, especially when it is up to date and presented in the veterinary chiropractic context, is well used and appreciated by course participants.

Topic areas

Requirements

Assessment and completion.

The Both Species Essentials course includes mandatory attendance, structured assessment across the programme, home study and a final theoretical and clinical techniques examination. Completion and certification follow the IAVC requirements for the selected course.

Assessment

Theoretical assessment

Participants can evaluate their progress on the online learning platform with multiple choice questions after every lecture.

At the end of the course participants are required to take a final theoretical examination (multiple choice) on the relevant material covered in the programme.

Practical assessment

Students are tested on their application of the essential animal chiropractic adjusting techniques taught at the previous module. A final practical examination is taken on the last day of classes.

Home study

Students are encouraged to continue practising chiropractic examination and treatment techniques in between the practical sessions.

Throughout the course, participants are required to hand in written reports of their chiropractic examinations as well as the required full case reports for the selected species or species combination.

Certificate

Certificate after completion.

After successful fulfilment of course requirements, IAVC issues the relevant completion or certification documentation for the selected programme. IAVC certification includes independent external evaluation and is recognised by the Veterinary Society of Chiropractic (VSC) as well as other associations internationally.

IAVC graduates holding their veterinary chiropractic certificates

Securing your spot

How to sign up.

Step 01
Select a course date
Start with the course date and location that best matches your training option.
Step 02
Send your request
The request form sends IAVC your selected course date, contact details and professional role.
Step 03
IAVC reviews the request
IAVC reviews your professional background and may ask for a current licence, diploma or study confirmation.
Step 04
Confirmation follows directly
A place is confirmed only after IAVC review and the required payment steps.

Common questions

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Still have questions? Contact IAVC.

Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic: Canine and Equine

Choose a course date.

Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic

Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic: Canine and Equine

See the training up close.

Curriculum.

Assessment and completion.

Assessment

Home study

Certificate after completion.

How to sign up.

Select a course date

Send your request

IAVC reviews the request

Confirmation follows directly

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