Natural Animal Health Care Distance Learning Course
Important elements of the holistic treatment of ailments and diseases in animals are naturopathy, herbal treatments, tactile therapy and homeopathy.
Learn about the nature and scope of natural therapies that can be used to treat animals. This course is perfect for people who would like to work in Animal Health Care through holistic methods such as naturopathy, homeopathy, herbal treatments and tactile therapy.
This course is intended for both animal owners and people who work with animals; from pet shop and animal shelter staff to farmers and animal attendants at wildlife parks.
THIS COURSE IS RECOGNISED BY THE COMPLEMENTARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
Course Contents
There are 8 lessons in this module as follows:
Lesson 1. Introduction to Natural Animal Health Care
Limitations of Conventional Medicine
Holistic Treatments
Homeopathy
Flower Essences
Naturopathy
Natural Nutrition
Tactile Therapy (Massage, Equine Tactile Therapy, Bowen Therapy, Canine Myofunctional Therapy, Physiotherapy, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Microcurrent, Microwave Therapies, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Benefits of Natural Health Care
Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare
Health and Safety in Veterinary Practice (Separating Animals, Infectious Diseases, Containing Disease, Disposal of Dead/Infected Tissues, Dangerous non-Animal Wastes, Storage & Handling of Supplements/Equipment).
Lesson 2. Signs of Ill Health
Lesson 3. Natural Nutrition for Animals
The effect of Modern Living on Domestic Animals
Processed Pet Foods
Affect of Poor Nutrition on Animal Behaviour
Good Nutrition for Domesticated Animals (Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats/Lipids, Minerals, Vitamins, Supplements, Recipes)
Nutritional Problems in Animals (Allergies, Dermatitis, Overweight, Underweight, Liver Disease, Livestock (Mineral supplements for farm animals, Nutritional Supplements)
Lesson 4. Holistic Health Care - Maintaining Health
Creating a Healthy Environment (Domestic pets, Livestock)
Health Maintenance
Preventing Arthritis in Dogs
The Vaccination Debate
Pet Dental Care
Flea Control
Disease Prevention in Livestock
Preventing Disease in Poultry
Avian Influenza
Lesson 5. Holistic Health Care - Treating Health Problems
Naturopathic Treatment
Homeopathic Treatment
Herbalism
Treating Common Ailments (Arthritis, Skin Problems, Digestive Complaints, Diabetes, Dental Problems )
Pain Management
Identifying Pain
Pain Relief Medication
Herbal Treatments
Homeopathy
Flower Essences
Physical Therapy
Equine Tactile Therapy
Bowen Therapy
Canine Myofunctional Therapy
Behavioural Problems (Dogs-excessive barking, digging, aggression, phobias; Cats –urine spraying, scratching furniture, aggression; Birds)
Lesson 6. Animal Diseases & Health Problems (Domestic Animals)
Dogs –Distemper
Heartworm
Parvo virus
Hydatid Disease
Cats –Ringworm
Feline Aids - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Hairballs
Feline Herpes Virus or Cat Flu
Rodents - Respiratory problems and Mycoplasma, Abscesses
Reptiles - Mouth Rot or Canker (Stomatitis); cytoparasites (Mites), Pneumonia
Fish, Cage Birds…etc
Lesson 7. Animal Diseases & Health Problems (Livestock)
Notifiable Diseases
Control of Internal Parasites
Horses (Tetanus, Lock Jaw, Strangles, Parasites, Colic, Equine Influenza)
Cattle (Parasites, Mastitis)
Pigs (Exudative Epidermitis of pigs (Greasy Pig), Leptospirosis, Parasites)
Sheep (Enterotoxemia (Pulpy Kidney), Cutaneous Myiasis (Blow Fly strike)
Poultry (Newcastle Disease (NCD), Yolk Sac Infection, Infectious Bronchitis (IB))
Lesson 8. Animal Health Care Case Study Research Project
Symptoms of ill-health displayed by an animal
Diagnosis of a problem
Deciding on a natural course of treatment for a specific health problem
Developing a management plan that an owner of the animal can undertake to help treat a problem and relieve associated pain and discomfort.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Lesson Aims
Recognise common signs of ill health in different animals
Explain the principles of natural nutrition for animals.
Describe requirements for preventative health care in animals.
Recognise common diseases, health problems and natural treatments for those problems in domestic animals
Develop an understanding of natural treatments for health problems in animals
Recognise some common diseases, health problems and natural treatments for those problems in livestock.
Develop a natural treatment plan for a specific health problem of an animal
HOLISTIC TREATMENT
Holistic Treatment or “Holistic Therapies” are designed to treat the whole patient whether it be animal or human as opposed to the specific symptom they may be displaying. Holistic treatment is thought to treat the illness by boosting the immune system and overall health of the animal, which will in turn treat any secondary illnesses. The foundation of holistic treatment is optimal nutrition. This is the “fuel” for the body and therefore needs to contain all of the essential components that an animal needs to boost its immune system and maintain health. We look at natural nutrition in more detail later in the course.
Other important elements of the holistic treatment of ailments and diseases in animals are naturopathy, herbal treatments, tactile therapy and homeopathy.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Do you want to know more about us before enrolling? Then to see the history of ACS and who we are, click on “The School”, then choose the “About Our School” option.
We hope this answers all your questions, but if you would like more information, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
OUR TUTORS
Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS. Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.
Anna Sylvester B.Sc.Hons.(Human Biology), M.Sc.Equine
Marius Erasmus B.Sc.Agric., B.Sc.(Wildlife), M.Sc.Agric.
