The Galen Canine Myotherapy Diploma (an independently accredited qualification) will teach you how to be a Myotherapist.
Practical Class
- Learn how Canine Myotherapy can help dogs and practise the right techniques to be effective
- Develop your career by achieving the Canine Myotherapy Diploma
- Run your own canine therapy practice
Learn more about the Galen Canine Myotherapy treatment.
A Canine Myotherapist enjoys an exciting career and having the right qualification is the first step.
Galen’s Canine Myotherapy Diploma is independently accredited and further credibility is gained from the many Veterinary Surgeons who have acknowledged that the course will produce well qualified practitioners performing excellent clinical canine massage.
The Galen Training Academy of Canine Studies
The Galen Training Academy of Canine Studies has been training students in Canine Myotherapy (advanced specialised massage techniques) since 2006 and has over 25 years combined experience as specialist canine therapy practitioners. (see below - Tutors and Support)
The course comprises both in-depth theory and practical modules – all delivered by recognised experts.
During this time over 200 students are participating in or have qualified with the Diploma.
The Academy has two dedicated training centres (one pictured right). Both are located in West Sussex, one near Horsham the other in Bolney. These are centres that have been designed for dogs and learning with dogs which of course is extremely important for cohesive study.
Tutors & Support
Your tutors are all experienced professionals, including:
- Lead Consultant, Galen Myotherapist, trainer and author, Julia Robertson
- Veterinary Surgeon Andy Mead (also see our “Tongue to Tail” DVD)
- Expert human Physical Therapist Sarah Dover-McCarthy
- Student Development Consultant Angela Chase
- Caroline Zuber- Course Development Consultant, Internal Moderator for the OCN and Tutor Introduction to Canine Anatomy and Physiology
one to one tuition
Because we have such an experienced and extensive team we can offer on-going courses throughout the year; so no waiting list for applications, or a problem with courses that do not run as they are not full because of the number of students studying with us.
Julia Robertson is lead tutor with experienced practitioners supporting.
Julia Robertson (Tutor and Lead Practitioner) instructing with Angela (Student Development Consultant) demonstrating.
Distance Learning Support
Home study and distance learning can be challenging so Galen provide help and support all the way through your course. Support is provided by your tutors, the online student forum, other Galen Myotherapists and a if requested a dedicated student mentor.
Cost and Loans
Your total investment to enrol on the Galen Canine Massage Diploma is £1,190 (+ accreditation fees), broken down as follows:
- Canine Myotherapy Diploma – Theory – £390 (first stage)
- Canine Myotherapy Diploma – Practical – £800 (2nd stage)
- Accreditation fees – £145 (2nd stage)
A discount of £20 is offered to all students if course materials are delivered electronically rather than printed.
Payment – the theory (1st stage) is paid for when you first enrol then the practical and accreditation (2nd stage) is then paid when your commence the practicals after completing the theory.
You can download our course handout (PDF) for more details.
Government supported Professional and Career Development loans are also available to help you spread the cost of your investment in training. This loan opportunity has been given to Galen Therapy Training Centre because of fulfilling stringent criteria.
‘Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Government will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries. Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900 (from www.ypla.gov.uk)
How Does the Galen Course Work?
The Galen Canine Myotherapy Diploma course takes around 14 months to complete and successful students will gain 49 credits at OCN Level 3 (now Laser Learning Awards).
More than 200 students have participated in Galen training since the course started in 2006, so you can be sure you’re in experienced hands.
Theory
The first part of the course (the theory) is home based study of five units taking approximately 350 – 400 hours over an average of 6 weeks per unit. Download our course handout (PDF).
THEORY – Because Myotherapy can affect every system within the dogs body, anatomy and physiology is a vital part of this course. Each student will study how the therapy interelates with each system that is critical for correct and appropriate understanding of the application of the therapy. This is also vital for the appropriateness of the therapy and then the interetation of signs of recovery and change during and after the treatment.
PRACTICAL - The skills taught to the students are from a basis of an understanding of movement and then associated stresses created by all forms of actions and compensatory issues. By understanding how a dog moves and the associated stresses treatment can then be totally targeted. This is done by training a student how to ‘read’ of muscle tone and how it ‘presents’ through palpation skills (the knowledge of interpreting through your hands the state of the muscle/s). This is a difficult skill and requires experienced trainers and training to be able to interpret and explain the feel of the muscle tone that will enable the student to take all their knowledge and apply treatment that will be totally specific to the condition and therefore effective.
A student will also be trained within aspects of business set-up, including legal aspects and customer relationship skills.
Tutors will include: Julia Robertson, Sarah Dover-McCarthy, Andy Mead BVet Med MRCVS, Liz Pope. This course gives the student a unique opportunity of learning from experts in their field.
For full support students have the opportunity of joining the team and becoming a Galen Myotherapist Registered Practitioner.
We have over 10 years of experience and 7 years of teaching, Galen Myotherapy is recognised by many Vets (and read Vets testimonials) clients and para-professionals to be unique and an effective and totally credible part of a dogs recovery from muscle dysfunction.
A student can then further develop and complete the Canine Exercise Physiology Diploma and then build their learning through other courses and modules that are being developed and will be released later in 2012.
The practical part of the course is four weekends based in a dedicated training centre in the heart of the West Sussex countryside. Farm B&B accommodation is available nearby and many students bring their own dogs. Download our course handout (PDF). Numerous walks surround the Galen training centre.
How to Enrol
If you wish to enrol on the course then please email or ring for an enrolment form.
As the course is initially home study students can start at any time. Also, because we have a significant training team numbers are not restricted as the support can be offered.
Next Practical dates:
(to be attended after the Theory units have been completed)
2012
June 8/9th, July 13/14th, August 11/12th and September 21/22nd.
Next practical course 2012 (completing Jan 13):
September 7/8th, October 12/13th, November 16/17th, January 11/12th (2013)
How Does the Galen Course Work for International Students?
- We are now training International students who complete their home study with the assistance of their tutor, mentor and the forum.
- The practical sessions are take place over 12 – 14 days in the UK in a pre-arranged timescale that will include;
- One to one sessions of practical training
- Shadowing opportunities to develop and enforce working practices and applied techniques
- Case study work with support
- An opportunity to work in a group and individually
- For those who are also interested in the course, please contact Julia Robertson for more details about the course structure and logistics.
- For international students the practical fees will be: £990 for an individual but will be reduced proportionately with the number of student attendees.
We have many International students enrolled, if you are interested email. We are also looking at running courses in Germany or over here for German speaking students see Karen Hahm-Jones page and contact her in German in interested.
Accreditation
Galen Therapy Centre is a member of the Laser Learning Awards – for more details go to the Accreditation page
After Graduation
Galen continues to support you after you graduate.
There are opportunities to set up your own canine massage business; you may be invited to join the team to become a Galen Myotherapist.
By doing so you will also become a member of CAAM (The Canine Association of Accredited Myotherapists) that also provides ongoing continuing professional development.
You can download more course details (PDF) or please contact Galen if you have any questions.