Stuart McGregor

Course Leader and Senior Lecturer

Stuart graduated from the European School of Osteopathy in 1984, where he wrote his dissertation on 'The principles of osteopathy applied to the horse’. This is the first known written work about osteopathy for horses.

His long-term aim was to find a way to adapt and apply all that he learned in his undergraduate studies to working with and benefitting animals. He was excited to discover that osteopathy can benefit non-human animals in the same way that it benefits people.

Upon graduation Stuart found that there was no provision for osteopaths to learn to work with animals, so he set about putting his own teaching methods in place so that he could train other like-minded osteopaths. This was the early stages of the Osteopathic Centre for Animals and the teaching facility that it has evolved into today. He has been sharing his learnings and vast knowledge of the subject ever since and has now trained hundreds of osteopaths both here in the UK and abroad. He has also completed a PGCert in Academic and Clinical Education.

Alongside a busy career in human osteopathy, he has been running his own animal practice ever since and has accumulated over 40 years of experience and knowledge of animal osteopathy. He has consequently developed a deep understanding of animals, and the role that osteopathic techniques can play in resolving injuries and maintaining their fitness.

As well as lecturing extensively in the UK and internationally, he regularly advises organisations in the horse and dog care world - including vets, trainers, riders and other equine and canine therapists - of the animal structure and function. He has recently embarked upon a pilot study on gait analysis and the effect of osteopathic manipulation on horses.

Stuart is acknowledged as a leading world expert on animal osteopathy.

Hannah Sheehan

Senior Lecturer, Anatomy, Biomechanics and Dissection

Hannah qualified from the European School of Osteopathy in 1998, and from the Osteopathic Centre for Animals in 1999. She has a PGCert in Academic and Clinical Education.

During her time as an Animal Osteopath she has worked within the veterinary industry in general practice, and in secondary referral practice with an orthopaedic surgeon. She has a passion for anatomy and biomechanics, which she teaches to osteopaths from across Europe, along with an interest in equitation and proper Schooling of horses to prevent injury.

Jim Hurden

Senior Lecturer

Jim graduated in 2015 from the London School of Osteopathy, after a career change from 12 years’ service in the Police. He was part of the first year of the UCO approved OCA PgCert in Animal Osteopathy and has been in mixed human and animal practice since. Jim has developed a special interest in the treatment & management of Agility Dogs and runs workshops for Agility and Gun dog owners on caring for Canine Athletes; and is the resident manual therapy specialist for his local vet practice seeing all manner of small animals each week.

Dr Anne McBride

Animal Psychology and Animal Law & Welfare

Anne has been lecturing in Animal Psychology and Animal Law and Welfare at the OCA for over 15 years.

She has a BSc (Hons.) degree in Psychology (1978) and a PhD (1986) from University College London. Her thesis was on Aspects of Social and Parental Behaviour in the European Rabbit. She also has a Certificate in Conservation and Ecology from Birkbeck College, London. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Anne has been a practising animal behaviour therapist since 1987 and was Head Clinician at the Animal Behaviour Clinic at the University of Southampton, which was open from 1999-2009. She is an Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

Anne has worked with large and small companion species; dogs, cats and exotics, and zoo animals. She lectures nationally and internationally, on various aspects of animal behaviour and the human-animal bond; and is a reviewer for several academic journals. She also acts as an expert witness in animal-related cases.

Anne is Chair of the Programme Recognition Committee of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and Patron of the Rabbit Welfare Association. She is also a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

In 2018 she was made an Honorary Life Associate Member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, and in 2013, an Honorary Life Associate Member of the British Veterinary Nursing Association.

Nick Wakefield

Assistant Practical Lecturer

Nick graduated from the University College of Osteopathy (formerly the BSO) in 2002. After several years in Human practice he went on to study animal osteopathy at the OCA. He recently returned to UCO in London to study for a PGCert in Academic and Clinical Education.

Nick runs a very successful Equine practice and works throughout the south of England looking after all types of horses. He specialises in race horses, working with top trainers and jockeys.

Nick has rowed at international level and is a keen rider, having ridden and won in point to point races.

Nigel Hole

Assistant Practical and Theory Lecturer

Nigel graduated from The University of London in 1983 with a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology. He then continued his studies with a further four years at The British School of Osteopathy and was rewarded with an Honours Diploma in Osteopathy. He went on to study animal osteopathy and graduated from the OCA in 2008. He has since returned to study and completed a PGCert in Academic and Clinical Education.

Nigel has owned and ridden horse for years and has developed a special interest in the osteopathic treatment of purebred Standardbred racers, thoroughbred ex-racers and P.R.E. dressage horses, including exercise rehabilitation and the application of behavioural techniques to the horse.

As well as running his own human and animal practices, Nigel worked as the Equine Osteopath for the household cavalry HCMR, Hyde Park and Combermere between 2009-2012.

Pat McGregor

Course Administrator

Pat has a background in book-keeping and administration and took over the role of course administrator full time in 2005. Prior to that she was the Practice Manager to a busy osteopathic practice. She recently helped steer the collaboration process with UCO London which resulted in external validation being awarded to the OCA’s Postgraduate Certificate AO.

Pat is a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the team and usually the first point of contact for prospective students.