We are an international organization that teaches equine professionals Equine Osteopathy to enrich their practice and better serve their clients. Currently, we teach courses in Texas, USA, and in Stein, The Netherlands, with plans to expand into Brazil and Australia.
Certification
Upon completion of the course of study, students receive the title of EDO. The Equine Diplomate of Osteopathy is an internationally registered mark, recognized and protected by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The EDO mark was created and is held solely by Janek Vluggen, who registered this mark in March of 2004 to establish the highest standards for Equine Osteopathy practitioners and to indicate competence and proficiency in the field of Equine Osteopathy. Currently, The Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy and Education is the only body authorized to grant the EDO mark.
Continuing Education
The Vluggen Institute provides veterinarians with RACE-approved continuing education hours through the EDO certification course. Currently, two of the modules are approved with more on the way. RACE is the Registry of Approved Continuing Education, and courses approved by RACE qualify as continuing education for re-licensure. RACE’s website does caution that each state may vary in its approval - for more information, visit them by clicking here.
Janek Vluggen
Janek Vluggen is recognized as the leading expert in the field of Equine Osteopathy. As a researcher, sought-after therapist, and popular lecturer for over two decades, he has built a significant following worldwide.
Currently, as the principal instructor for the Vluggen Institute, Janek is dedicated to creating exemplary equine osteopaths through intensive, interactive, and informed education and hands-on experience. In addition to founding the Vluggen Institute, Janek has run a successful private physical therapy and osteopathy practice in Germany since 1986.
Background and Education
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Baccalaureate in Physiotherapy, Zuyd University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Manual Therapy, Master Course, Antwerpen, Belgium
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D.O. in Osteopathy ,The International Academy of Osteopathy, Ghent, Belgium
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Connective Osteopathy, Master Course, Alain Abishira, PhD. of the University of Jerusalem
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Cranio-sacral Therapy, Master Course, Alain Gehin DO, Mr.sc. of Spain
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Fascial Therapy, Master Course, Maurice Cesar DO. Bacc.
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Specialization in neuro-anatomy and neuro-physiology, Rene Zweedijk DO,Bacc. Sc.Hrs. Kapelle, Netherlands
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Advanced Equine Anatomy and Equine Physiology, Didier Certain PhD. DVM, Veterinary University of Liege Belgium
- TMJ, master course, Philippe van Caille DO. Bacc.Sc.Hrs. Switzerland
- Visceral Osteopathy the Urogenital Tract, Jean Pierre Barral DO France.
Janek’s noted speaking engagements include the AHVMA 2008 Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada, the 22nd Annual Conference of the International Association of Equine Dentistry in Orlando, Florida, and the SAVMA Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
Why Equine Osteopathy?
It was during their study of human osteopathy at the International Academy of Osteopathy in Belgium that Janek Vluggen and Pasqual Evrard realized the value of its application to horses. The two innovators made a pact to bring Equine Osteopathy to the highest possible standard worldwide.
From an interview with Janek…
“We lost sight of each other because we went out to be osteopaths; me in Germany, he in Brussels. He founded the first school in Germany (Dipo Deutches Institut für Pferde Osteopathy and later FISEO: Frankfurter International School of Equine Osteopathy). We met again at a lecture I was giving in the Netherlands at Panta Rhey (of Rene Zweedijk, who gave me the chance to expose this) about Equine Osteopathy. We renewed our friendship and I started teaching with him at the FISEO in Germany and in Florida. This was in 2002. Pascal died in 2004. Luann [Groves, DVM] asked me to come and teach in 2005…”
