E.S.A.O. history
- 1993: after many years of study and research, Jean-Yves Girard founded the “European School of Animal Osteopathy” in France; the first equine manual therapy school awarding diplomas in Europe. With his qualified team, he has run a high quality course which fills a much needed gap in equine work over the past fifteen years.
Riders can now benefit from the considerable experience of fully qualified and competent therapists. - 1998: the E.S.A.O is established in Great Britain, a country with a long history of excellent horsemanship and also of an open-minded attitude towards manual therapies, which are consequently well developed there.
- 2002: E.S.A.O Ltd was accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). The BAC is an independent body established in 1984 whose purpose is to “improve and enhance the standards of independent and higher educational institutions”. It is responsible for conducting stringent inspections. Over 100 colleges in the UK and 12 abroad have been accredited by the BAC so far.
- 2003: the acquisition of an 18th century, five storey building, in Brighton. The building was entirely renovated as a new school and dedicated solely to the study and practice of animal manual therapy using osteopathic techniques.
- 2004: to meet the developing need for manual therapy in Europe, another school was opened in Switzerland at the Avenches National Equestrian Institute.
- December 2004: The E.S.A.O Ltd received the ISO 9001 certification from CQS (Control Quality System); an international body which certifies, after investigation and regular auditing, the quality of the service of its members.
Beatriz Ferrer Salat
on BEAUVALAIS vice champion of the world, double medal-holder with the J.O of Athens and many world cup victories. A beautiful example of a horse athlete followed and looked after exclusively by an equine manual therapist during his whole career.Click to zoom
- 2005: the second cycle in 2 years were introduced, to further the study of qualifying students. An entrance exam is set up for the modules, in order to harmonise the level between students within each class.
- 2007: the E.S.A.O moved into its own premises in Montreux. This development made it possible to offer training in manual therapy in two languages (English and French) and with a choice of two available formats (over three or five years):
BY MODULE, but also, a first in Europe, FULL TIME. - 2008: an international bilingual establishment is set up in Great Britain, the E.S.A.O offers its students a part-time training course, fifteen days per month, which allows them to prepare for the diploma from the E.S.A.O whilst reinforcing their English and to pass the exams which are recognised world-wide which are: the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), the FCE (First Certificate English) and the CAE (Certificate in Advanced English).
- 2009: opening of the FULL TIME formation in Brighton.
- 2010: opening of a section offering English language lessons exclusively. Renewing English skills, scientific lessons and preparation for the University of Cambridge exam.
Jean Yves Girard publishes the first volume of a collection of equine anatomy manuals, which cover the ESAO program, and serves as a practical handbook to all those who seek a modern anatomy tool to work with. - 2011:The ESAO's program in Animal Manual Therapy is put in conformity with the World Health Organization benchmarks for training in osteopathy.
UNDER CONSTANT DEVELOPMENT, the ESAO is mobilized at every moment to require its professors and of its pupils the best of themselves in order to build the animal manual therapy of tomorrow.