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Animal physiotherapist

Also called animal physical threapist, veterinary physiotherapist

Animal physiotherapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of physical therapy and exercise procedures to support animal rehabilitation after a surgery or an injury, aiming to return the animals to normal function and/or maintain performance in accordance with national legislation.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 37 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Health professionalsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €1,800 (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Health professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Health professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Veterinarians · ILO

What you'd do

Veterinarians · ILO
  • Determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound
  • Treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics
  • Performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones
  • Rendering obstetric and dental services to animals
  • Participating in programmes designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases
  • Inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases
  • Performing autopsies to determine cause of death
  • Advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals
  • Providing euthanasia services for animals
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary settingAssess the animal’s rehabilitation requirementsPlan physical rehabilitation of animalsPrepare animal therapy equipmentManage animal welfare+ 9 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Veterinarians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of veterinarians now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as health professionals in the EU
5.11m6.39m7.07m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
549,000 new jobs 1,888,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Health professionals37
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of veterinarians, 2 a surplus.
Veterinarians · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in veterinary is the usual route.

Highest qualification of health professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 86%Vocational 12%General secondary 1%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
Agriculture graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

330 institutions in the EU offer agriculture bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.14 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 9 tasks
Advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals0.22
Determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound0.21
Participating in programmes designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases0.17
Inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases0.15
Performing autopsies to determine cause of death0.13
Treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics0.12
Rendering obstetric and dental services to animals0.11
Providing euthanasia services for animals0.10
Performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones0.08

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for veterinarians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).