About the Institute
The Institute was set up in 2002 and rapidly established itself as a leading
centre for those wishing to learn more about complementary therapies and
their benefits in the animal kingdom.
ICAT has gained international status with students attending from all over
the United Kingdom and further afield.
One keen learner attended from Moscow and is now the first equine massage
therapist in Russia!
As well as setting up practices in the UK, some of our graduates are based
in Canada, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand!
Accreditation
The Institute is a registered learning provider UKRLP 10013501 and a nationally
recognised training centre with OCN LONDON Awards.
The Principal
The Principal and chief assessor is Julie Boxall-Tully who has been working
with animals for over 30 years. Coming from an equestrian and agricultural
background and having a love of dogs and horses, Julie developed a keen
'eye' for conformation and movement. It was this interest in muscles and
locomotion that was to develop into a lifelong career with humans and animals!
A qualified adult and further education teacher (PGCE) and practitioner
of complementary therapies on humans and animals, Julie taught human sports
therapy and various complementary therapies at a FE College for a number
of years before deciding to develop her skills and knowledge into animal
therapy. She was initially trained by the late Pamela Hannay, who was Senior
Instructor of the Ohashi Institute in New York. Julie is now regarded as
one of the most experienced animal massage therapists in the UK, having
treated a vast variety of animals over the years from dogs, cats and horses
to farm livestock including pigs, sheep and cattle.. She is very interested
in the association of psychophysiologic factors that contribute to muscle
tension in animals.
The Team
We are proud to have a professional team of experts who regularly lecture
on the programmes including veterinarians, master saddlers, farriers, equine
dentists, an equine thermographer and qualified ICAT graduates.
Working closely with this team, the ICAT courses are regularly updated to
ensure that learners are informed about any new and exciting developments
in animal therapy, health and safety information or practitioner legislation.
ICAT looks forward to welcoming you in the near future.
Julie Boxall-Tully
PGCE, ITEC, DIP. MCAM, DIP. MCST
Principal