Animal osteopath
Also known as: veterinary osteopathic therapist, animal osteopaths, veterinary osteopath, animal ostepathic therapist
About this occupation
Animal osteopaths provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of treatment techniques using manipulation of the body tissues to resolve strain and injury in animals in accordance with national legislation.
Essential skills and knowledge
- deal with challenging people
- environmental enrichment for animals
- plan physical rehabilitation of animals
- signs of animal illness
- animal welfare
- protect health and safety when handling animals
- manage animal welfare
- animal welfare legislation
- physiology of animals
- use osteopathic techniques to improve health of animals
- handle veterinary emergencies
- prepare animal therapy equipment
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Chiropractors (O*NET 29-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
- Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
- Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
- Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
- Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
- Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Realistic, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$79,200 a year (2025), 39,630 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Pediatric Surgeons
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
- Neurologists
- Cardiologists
- Naturopathic Physicians
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
- General Internal Medicine Physicians
- Acupuncturists
- Dermatologists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.