Expand your clinical skills and discover the benefits of dry needling in animal rehabilitation with our exciting new hands-on training course!
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Animal Dry Needling Course, taking place on Sunday 14 March 2027, at Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy (MAP).
As part of our growing commitment to education and professional development, we’re excited to share our clinical knowledge and experience with other animal rehabilitation professionals looking to expand their treatment skills.
Dry needling is a valuable technique used in physiotherapy to address musculoskeletal pain, muscle dysfunction and myofascial trigger points. At MAP, we regularly incorporate dry needling into our multimodal rehabilitation programs to support comfort, mobility and recovery in our canine patients.
Our new course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practical application of dry needling in small animals.
What Is Animal Dry Needling?
Dry needling involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into selected soft tissues, often targeting myofascial trigger points or areas of muscle dysfunction.
Unlike acupuncture, which is traditionally based on Chinese medicine principles, dry needling is guided by contemporary anatomical and musculoskeletal assessment.
In animal rehabilitation, dry needling may be used as an adjunct to physiotherapy, alongside treatments such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, hydrotherapy and other rehabilitation techniques.
While research into dry needling in animals is still developing, it is a technique used by appropriately trained clinicians as part of an individualised rehabilitation approach.
What Will You Learn?
Our course combines essential theoretical knowledge with practical training to help participants develop their understanding, confidence and technical skills.
Topics include:
- Relevant anatomy: Reviewing canine musculoskeletal anatomy, important anatomical landmarks and structures requiring particular care.
- Principles of dry needling: Understanding the proposed mechanisms, clinical applications and role of dry needling in rehabilitation.
- Patient assessment: Identifying muscle dysfunction, areas of tenderness and potential indications for treatment.
- Needling techniques: Learning safe needle handling, insertion principles and practical techniques.
- Safety and contraindications: Understanding infection control, anatomical precautions, patient selection and when dry needling should be avoided.
- Clinical reasoning: Incorporating dry needling into a broader physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment plan.
- Practical competency: Developing technical skills through supervised practical learning and competency assessment.
Practical, Hands-On Learning
At MAP, we believe practical experience is essential when developing new clinical skills.
Our course is designed to provide a supportive, face-to-face learning environment where participants can practise techniques under the guidance of experienced animal physiotherapists.
With a strong focus on anatomical knowledge, safety and clinical reasoning, participants will have opportunities to ask questions, receive individual feedback and develop confidence in their technique.
Competency assessment forms an important component of the course, helping ensure participants can demonstrate the required practical knowledge and skills.
Who Is This Course For?
Our Animal Dry Needling Course is designed for professionals with relevant backgrounds in animal health, physiotherapy or musculoskeletal therapy who are looking to develop their skills in animal rehabilitation.
As dry needling is an invasive technique, participants should have an appropriate foundation in anatomy, clinical assessment and safe patient handling.
Eligibility and the ability to incorporate dry needling into clinical practice will depend on each participant’s qualifications, professional responsibilities and applicable scope-of-practice requirements.
If you’re unsure whether your background is suitable, we encourage you to contact our team before registering.
Learn From an Experienced Animal Rehabilitation Team
Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy has been providing specialist animal rehabilitation services since 2007.
Our team works with a diverse range of patients, from sporting and working dogs to animals recovering from orthopaedic surgery, neurological conditions and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Education has always been an important part of our work, and we’re passionate about sharing practical knowledge with other professionals who want to advance animal rehabilitation.
Following the success of our small animal hydrotherapy and remedial massage courses, we’re excited to expand our professional development offerings to include dry needling.
Course Details
- Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy, Kensington, Melbourne
- Course fee: $1,000 AUD
- Format: Face-to-face theoretical and practical workshop with competency assessment
Join Us!
Whether you’re looking to expand your existing rehabilitation skills or incorporate additional evidence-informed treatment options into your clinical practice, our new Animal Dry Needling Course offers an exciting opportunity for professional development.
Places are limited to ensure a supportive and practical learning experience.
We look forward to welcoming you to MAP and sharing our passion for advancing animal rehabilitation!
Please note: Completion of the course and competency assessment does not override applicable professional registration, veterinary referral, legislative or scope-of-practice requirements.
