CAO Professional Clinic

The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO) Public Clinic stands as a shining example of community service, clinical education, and the practical embodiment of osteopathic principles. Operating as a charitable clinic, the CAO Public Clinic offers completely free osteopathic treatments to members of the public, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of receiving high-quality manual care. The CAO does not accept any form of payment or donation for these services, remaining steadfast in its commitment to health equity and accessibility. Since the clinic’s founding, this model of giving has led to over 200,000 free treatments provided to local communities — a contribution that translates to more than $17 million worth of osteopathic care. This is not just an extraordinary achievement in public health—it’s also a deeply impactful training ground for CAO’s upper-year students.

The Public Clinic is more than just a clinical rotation; it is a fully integrated apprenticeship model that spans the final year of the program. Students are not observers or assistants — they take the lead in managing real patient cases from start to finish. These are not simulated scenarios; they involve real people from the surrounding community, presenting with real and often complex conditions ranging from chronic pain and postural dysfunction to rehabilitation needs following injury or surgery. This broad range of cases gives students critical exposure to the full spectrum of clinical realities they will encounter in private practice.