Course information
Courses start Spring/Summer 2025
This one-day, Level 4 course has been designed by our experienced instructors to meet industry demands and standards. They will guide you through hands-on training, focusing on the application of theory to practice across a range of real-life emergency scenarios like poisoning, choking, drowning, heatstroke and seizures. This course is endorsed by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) as meeting the needs of their members who work with canine patients.
The course is not a substitute for veterinary attention but aims to provide clear guidelines on immediate actions to take.
This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently handle emergencies and provide immediate care to small animals. The course focuses primarily on dogs and cats, with the practical activities centring on dogs. Course content includes:
- Introduction to First Aid for Small Animals
- Basic First Aid Principles
- Common Emergencies and How to Handle Them
- CPR for Small Animals
- First Aid Kits
- Health Checks and Monitoring
- Preventative Care
- Practical sessions – dealing with real-life scenarios
This course requires you to attend on site for one day. During this time you will receive taught theory sessions that underpin small animal first aid. You will then have the opportunity to work within groups practicing techniques such as bandaging and CPR using model animals as well as gaining hands on experience with dogs.
Your knowledge will be tested through the completion of a multiple choice question test as well as by you individually demonstrating your first aid skills to the assessor.
This course has been specifically developed with those working directly in animal professions in mind, e.g. small animal hydrotherapists, veterinary physiotherapists, boarding kennel staff, dog trainers / behaviourists. It is recognised by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists as meeting the needs of their members who work with canine patients.
Course information
Overview
Courses start Spring/Summer 2025
This one-day, Level 4 course has been designed by our experienced instructors to meet industry demands and standards. They will guide you through hands-on training, focusing on the application of theory to practice across a range of real-life emergency scenarios like poisoning, choking, drowning, heatstroke and seizures. This course is endorsed by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) as meeting the needs of their members who work with canine patients.
The course is not a substitute for veterinary attention but aims to provide clear guidelines on immediate actions to take.
What you'll study
This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently handle emergencies and provide immediate care to small animals. The course focuses primarily on dogs and cats, with the practical activities centring on dogs. Course content includes:
- Introduction to First Aid for Small Animals
- Basic First Aid Principles
- Common Emergencies and How to Handle Them
- CPR for Small Animals
- First Aid Kits
- Health Checks and Monitoring
- Preventative Care
- Practical sessions – dealing with real-life scenarios
How you'll study
This course requires you to attend on site for one day. During this time you will receive taught theory sessions that underpin small animal first aid. You will then have the opportunity to work within groups practicing techniques such as bandaging and CPR using model animals as well as gaining hands on experience with dogs.
Your knowledge will be tested through the completion of a multiple choice question test as well as by you individually demonstrating your first aid skills to the assessor.
Employability
This course has been specifically developed with those working directly in animal professions in mind, e.g. small animal hydrotherapists, veterinary physiotherapists, boarding kennel staff, dog trainers / behaviourists. It is recognised by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists as meeting the needs of their members who work with canine patients.
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TEF Gold
Our undergraduate provision has been awarded Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold in all aspects - Overall, Student Experience, and Student Outcomes.
Teaching quality
Ranked in the top 10 universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025).
Graduate employability
97% of our graduates are in employment, further study or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes, 2024).
Academic support
We’re a top 10 university for academic support (NSS 2024, UK universities).
Important information
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.
Related courses
Undergraduate Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy
Gain hands-on experience and industry-recognised skills with our Undergraduate Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy, endorsed by the Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH). Train at our commercial hydrotherapy centre, while developing expertise in anatomy, physiology, small animal health, and hydrotherapy principles. This course blends theory with practical training, including an embedded first aid qualification.
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