Canine and Feline Antanomy and Physiology Course

Anatomy & Physiology of Dogs and Cats is an online self-study course designed as a prerequisite for Understanding Dogs and Cats, the three-day feline and canine craniosacral therapy course running from 10–12 April.

This course will feel familiar to those who have previously studied anatomy and physiology (A&P) as part of their training. Its purpose is to deepen your understanding of feline and canine anatomy and physiology, so that when you arrive on the practical course you are confident with nomenclature, systems, and foundational concepts. This allows the hands-on learning to unfold with greater ease, depth, and presence.

Rather than approaching anatomy as a purely academic subject, this course has been developed through a process of inquiry, listening, and meditation with my own cats and dog, alongside dialogue with holistic veterinary surgeon Sonia Leggett, whose clinical insights—drawn from observing craniosacral treatment of her own dogs—helped shape which systems and conditions most benefit from this work. As a result, the material is offered from a place of deep reverence for the extraordinary intelligence, sensitivity, and beauty of these animals and their living systems.

We explore the circulatory system, including blood and plasma; the musculoskeletal system, with particular attention to fascia and the fluid body; and the digestive system, including the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The endocrine system is examined through the lens of regulation and stress physiology, including the HPA axis, pineal, thymus, thyroid, and reproductive organs. Special attention is given to the skin as a profoundly sensory organ—deeply connected to the nervous system and detoxification pathways—and to the nervous system and brain, particularly as they relate to behaviour, safety, and relational attunement.

This course invites you to meet anatomy not just as structure, but as living expression—supporting you to work with dogs and cats in a way that is informed, embodied, and deeply respectful of their incredible bodies.