The title “Equine Osteopath EDO®” stands for Equine Diplomate Osteopath, a trademark and quality mark registered since 2006 throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The EDO title transparently communicates to the equine community that the osteopath holding this title is educated according to the standardized competency profile developed using the Canadian Medical Education Directives (CanMEDs) model, recognized worldwide as the standard for medical professional education. The standardized competency profile is a framework that outlines the essential abilities, knowledge, expertise, and skills an equine osteopath requires beyond the borders of their foundational education.

 

The CanMeds model outlines seven primary roles for the EDO, which are dynamic and periodically reviewed and revised. These roles are:

 

1. Medical expert: through extensive education of anatomy, physiology, neurology, and pathology.

2. Communicator: through effective communication with trainers, owners, and other health care professionals.

3. Leader: through contributions to the advancement and excellence of the equine, canine, and animal osteopathic profession via engagement with other professionals, peers, and students. 

4. Collaborator:  through effective and ethical participation in interdisciplinary equine, canine, and animal care teams.

5. Health advocate: through active promotion of the well-being and ethical care of equines, canines, and animals within the parameters of core osteopathic principles.

6. Scholar: through a commitment to lifelong learning, continuing education, and updating knowledge.

7. Professional: through ethical conduct, integrity, competent osteopathic practice, promotion and maintenance of a collegial atmosphere among EDOs, personal accountability to the community, and commitment to the health and well-being of individual horses and equine osteopathy. 

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The title Equine Diplomate Osteopath (EDO) is trademarked and licensed to REDOI, which indicates that those awarded use of this title are:

• Graduates of top-tier educational institutions with rigorous educational requirements

• Proficient in advanced animal osteopathy as demonstrated by passing the Equine Osteopath Competency Examination (EOCE), a test designed and administered by EDOs to measure the examinee’s osteopathic knowledge, application of osteopathic theory, and performance of osteopathic techniques. 

• Dedicated to pursuing additional osteopathic education for equine, canine, or animal osteopathy and quality whole animal care to expand knowledge and ensure advancement of clinical knowledge and skills. 

Obtaining and using the EDO title distinguishes you in interactions with horse owners, other equine professionals, and veterinarians in the growing unregulated animal therapy industry.