Course Update 2024

Course Update- Aug 2024

To all practitioners interested in the Graduate Diploma Animal Biomechanical Medicine.

We have been working really hard to be ready for another intake into the course – however we are dealing with large bureaucracies and slow processes which are outside our control. A mid year intake obviously has not happened – we were still hoping for a November start, but being realistic – we will be starting early next year, 2025.

  • Course Accreditation is completed. We have had numerous internal debates about whether we really need to go through this process every 5 years – but we think it is really important to maintain the official accreditation of this course. It is a quality course, meeting Australian education standards and is increasingly recognised for that.
  • The next process is to get the course on the scope of our partner Registered Training Organisation – National Veterinary Institute. This is a 3 month process, which will commence shortly.
  • Once on NVI’s scope, we can commence enrollment. We will probably leave this until early 2025, but if there is advantage in starting earlier, we will do so. We will be able to send out pre-reading and other information prior to enrollment, if useful.  (Enrollment processes involve ensuring all applicants meet the required criteria and that all are clear on the time & financial commitment and requirements to complete the course.)
  • We’re reserving the following workshop dates in 2025 at our partner venue, South Serenity Arabians:
    • Feb 26 – Mar 1
    • May 21 – 24
    • Sept 10 – 14
    • Nov 12 – 15

 

Be sure to add the info@abmprof.com.au address to your SAFE sender’s list to ensure you receive all future communications.


If you intend to join the next intake – please email gdanbiome@gmail.com to let us know, so that we ensure you are updated.

 

What you need to know:

  • Selection criteria: You need to be:
    • Registered to practice as a Veterinarian, Chiropractor, or Osteopath in the jurisdiction in which you work. (ie – you can’t be registered overseas but working unregistered in Australia).
    • Completed 2 years in clinical practice
    • Physically capable to work with horses and dogs
    • Adequate command of English language for safety reasons and to complete the requirements of the course
  • Workshops:
    • There are 8 X 4-day workshops through the course. This is where assessment and treatment skills are taught. It is our opinion that you cannot learn these skills properly without face to face, sometimes hand to hand, contact with teachers. We expect students to attend all workshops.
    • You need footwear & clothing appropriate for working with horses and dogs. Many people prefer steel cap boots for the equine components. Although sheltered, much of the workshop activity is outdoors, so it can be cold at times (it is unpredictable Victoria). You need a range of clothing at most workshops.
    • It is expected that all students will be up to date with tetanus vaccinations. If you don’t have record of this within last 10 years, we suggest you discuss this with your GP.
  • Working with horses and dogs. We are frequently asked whether we could run the course just for horses, or just for dogs. We cannot, with the resources available at the moment – and it is really important to understand that the skills learned on one species are transferable to the other, or to other species which might be encountered in practice. Learning to adapt technique is really important for practice – bring an open mind and take the learning opportunities which arise.
  • All Units in the course are compulsory, there are no electives. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) – is technically available, but the reality is that it is generally far easier for experienced clinicians to complete a unit that appears unnecessary for them, than to provide all the proofs required for formal RPL. Experienced practitioners can also assist those with less experience in their area. The course is carefully designed to take students from the different professions and bring them all to a similar level of competence by the end. Inter-professional collaboration is critical for our small profession. In the early phases of the course, the vets can help the non-vets – then it swings back the other way when it comes to assessment and treatment skills. We like to think that if we put all the students from the three professions into a room, with all the course materials and some animals, they could teach each other to a reasonable standard. Our teachers do bring a wealth of experience to add into the mix.

Dr Kate Haines,
Course Coordinator.

Course information

The Graduate Diploma of Animal Biomechanical Medicine is run over two years and requires a commitment of around 10 hours a week to complete. It is open to osteopaths, veterinarians and chiropractors who are registered in Australia or New Zealand and who had a minimum of two years of clinical practice in their profession.

The course is delivered predominantly online with four workshops each year. Students are supported by a dedicated team of ABM professionals throughout the two years and become part of a wonderful community of professionals who continue to support each other after graduation. The course coordinator will be in contact with you when enrolments are next open mid-year.

Our graduates attest to how this qualification has improved their professional lives. We hope you will join us and look forward to hearing from you.

How to register your interest.

If you are interested in joining us for our next enrollment, please register your interest and let us know your:

  • Profession: Chiropractor, Osteopath, or Veterinarian.
  • Contact details and best email address.

This is an exciting time to join our ABM community as the course has been reviewed, updated, and remodeled to work around the current restrictions.

If you would like more information, please visit the FAQ page.

If you have registered your interest, we will send you a reminder email when applications are being actively sought for the next intake on the calendar.

Register your interest in studying Animal Biomechanical Medicine