This unit includes some of the information you will study in greater depth in each of the later units and although it is mainly a theoretical unit it will be presented over 1 – 2 days in the classroom and hydrotherapy centre. Additional optional time will be available for you to experience some more practical work which may help your understanding, particularly if you are a kinetic learner (ie prefer an instructed hands-on method of learning).

By understanding and managing risks in a hydrotherapy centre you will explore the different elements essential in providing safe practice.

The information you will need to achieve the assessment criteria will be provided, along with the assessment questions, although additional reading is always encouraged to support your learning and understanding.

This unit will be assessed with guided questions in workbooks requiring written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format.

In this unit, learners will explore how common canine conditions and problems may impact on devising an appropriate individual hydrotherapy treatment programme. They will learn how to identify common conditions and problems and understand the consideration and management of dogs with specific challenges.

This is mainly a theoretical unit, and as such, the assessments are in written format or in an acceptable alternative and evidence kept in your portfolio. It will be presented over one full day by a qualified hydrotherapist who has additional experience and knowledge of dogs who participate various sporting events. It includes some case studies which may be quite challenging to those learners without prior experience so having some practical days with us before embarking on this unit may prove helpful.

In this unit, learners will explore the relevant major elements of canine anatomy essential for the hydrotherapist.

To administer hydrotherapy treatment, it is vital that the hydrotherapist has a sound understanding of canine anatomy to be able to link this to the individual treatment plan and effectively improve their knowledge of land-based movement and function. It will be presented by a qualified veterinary physiotherapist who is also qualified in hydrotherapy.

It is a theoretical unit, and as such, the assessments are in written format or in an acceptable alternative and evidence presented in your portfolio.

In this unit learners will explore the relevant major elements of canine physiology for the hydrotherapist.

To administer hydrotherapy treatment, it is essential that hydrotherapists have a sound understanding of canine physiology to ensure safe and appropriate hydrotherapy treatment. It is a theoretical unit, and as such, the assessments are in written format or in an acceptable alternative and evidence presented in your portfolio. The unit will be presented by a qualified veterinary physiotherapist who is also qualified in hydrotherapy.

In this unit, learners will understand the importance of maintaining the health and welfare for each canine patient in their care.

Learners will be able to undertake health checks essential for safe hydrotherapy practice. Learners will also be able to recognize and manage a variety of canine first aid emergencies.

The assessment criteria include a combination of theory and practical elements, with the teaching and practical assessments taking a full day. Bandaging techniques, resuscitation and explaining how you would respond in a specified emergency situation are included in the practical assessments, along with a complete health check on a live dog.

This unit will be assessed with guided questions in workbooks requiring written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format. Practical requirements will be assessed and evidenced using photographs or videos and verbal questioning will be recorded.

It is a legal requirement that hydrotherapists have a current referral for each dog from a registered veterinary surgeon (RCVS). Hydrotherapists need to be able to assess risk effectively, to include evaluating the canine patient’s suitability for hydrotherapy. This requires an assessment process to evaluate and provide a safe and beneficial treatment plan using relevant risk assessment skills.

This unit will enable the learner to understand the assessment process for safe practice and will be presented in a format which includes live dogs and their owners, by a veterinary physiotherapist and a qualified hydrotherapist during a minimum of 4 practical training days, the assessments taking place on a further day.

Evidence of assessment will be in the form of photographs or videos, witness statements and/or audio recordings in addition to written work kept in your portfolio. Students will be assessed individually using at least 3 different dogs and will be given access to the case notes; they will also be able to ask the owner for any additional relevant information to help them plan the hydrotherapy treatment. This unit cannot be undertaken or assessed until the student has enough knowledge from other parts of the course so it will be one of the last ones to be assessed.

In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format.

Reflection of the learners’ own skills and abilities will play a role in the learning, development and assessment process. As much repetition as needed of the practical experience will be provided to ensure a good level of competence before assessment will take place.

In this practical unit, learners are required to prepare the environment and canine patients for hydrotherapy. They will need to demonstrate how to manage dogs during hydrotherapy sessions to include effective administration of treatment techniques, monitoring and therapeutic interaction for each dog as appropriate. Learners will consider the importance of appropriate aftercare in relation to advice from the owner, completion of relevant documentation and record keeping for each case.

Learners will be assessed during one of the additional practical days offered for tutored experience. Feedback on this unit will be given in person on the same day and any repetitions required will, as far as possible, be done on the same day or during one of the additional practical days offered for tutored experience and it is likely that it will follow on from the previous unit of the Canine Assessment process, usually with the same dogs. Assessments will be conducted one-on-one with individual students as though in a normal hydrotherapy session, not in groups.

This unit will be assessed with verbal questions and practical assessments using live animals and their owners. Additional assessments including interpreting information on each case study will require written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format.

Reflection of the learners’ own skills and abilities will play a role in the learning, development and assessment process. As much repetition as needed of the practical experience will be provided to ensure a good level of competence.

In this unit, learners will understand the importance of safe and effective water management for canine hydrotherapy. Learners will explore the functions of the various pieces of plant and equipment, water chemistry, the relationship of the various chemicals used and management processes essential for safe practice.

The unit combines theory with practical work and will be assessed during one of the additional practical days offered for tutored experience. There will be opportunity to learn by observation, discussion and practice before being assessed; this will be evidenced by photographs, videos and verbal questioning. Written answers will be presented and kept in your portfolio.

It is expected that learners will undertake the practical elements of this unit under the supervision of an appropriately qualified professional.

This unit will be assessed with verbal questions and practical assessments using different pieces of equipment. Additional assessments including interpreting results obtained from the different types of tests will require written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format. Reflection of the learners’ own skills and understanding will play a role in the learning and assessment process.

In this practical unit, learners will understand the design choices and how to safely use an aquatic treadmill for canine hydrotherapy. They will need to demonstrate how to manage a dog during a hydrotherapy session to include administration of treatment techniques, monitoring, evaluation and therapeutic interaction for each dog as appropriate. Learners will be assessed on the practical sections during one of the additional practical days offered for tutored experience. Feedback on this unit will be given in person on the same day and any repetitions required will, as far as possible, be done on the same day or during one of the additional practical days offered for tutored experience. This unit will be assessed with verbal questions and practical assessments using live animals and evidenced with the use of photographs and video recordings. Additional assessments including interpreting information on each case study will require written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format. Reflection of the learners’ own skills and abilities will play a role in the learning, development and assessment process. As much repetition as needed of the practical experience will be provided to ensure a good level of competence.

In this unit, learners will explore the importance of understanding canine behaviours in context of the hydrotherapy setting. By developing effective communication skills with the dog in a therapeutic setting, the hydrotherapist will develop skills to address the mismatch of communication skill differences between humans and dogs and offer a safer environment to deliver the hydrotherapy treatment. This unit will enable the learner to understand the behaviours seen in a therapeutic setting essential for safe practice. It is imperative that at all times learners act within their areas of professional competence and personal limitations by working within their scope of practice. This does not mean they are canine behaviourists! This unit will be assessed with guided questions in workbooks requiring written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format.

In this unit, learners will explore gait and movement patterns relevant to the patients’ day to day functional needs. By developing a sound base of knowledge of normal canine movement, the hydrotherapist can then evaluate abnormal movement patterns and functional problems the patient presents in the hydrotherapy setting. This unit will enable the learner to understand the validity and reliability of gait analysis along with the challenges of breed differences and canine behaviours. This unit will be assessed with guided questions in workbooks requiring written answers. In some circumstances it may be necessary to record verbal questions and answers should the student have any difficulty with the written format.