What is it?

1.What is it? | 2. How can it help your animal? | 3. Is your physio qualified?

Veterinary Physiotherapy

3. How do you know your physio is qualified?

To qualify as a physiotherapist involves the completion of a first degree in human physiotherapy. Qualification permits membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and state registration with the Health Professions Council. These bodies ensure that members are competent and maintain competence through CPD. Qualified chartered physiotherapists may therefore use the following acronyms:

SRP (State Registered Physiotherapist)
MCSP (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy)
HPC Reg (Health Professions Council registered)

In order to practice as an animal physiotherapist, a chartered physio should be a Category ‘A’ member of ACPAT (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy). This qualification ensures that the physio has completed further training and has achieved competence in the treatment of animals. Category ‘A’ members of ACPAT have full professional liability insurance covering the treatment of animals, and must demonstrate continued training to maintain Category ‘A’ status.

In order to practice as a veterinary physiotherapist, a chartered physio must have completed the MSc (or PG Dip) in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College. This unique 2-year part-time postgraduate programme enables qualified physiotherapists to extend and adapt their skills so they can develop their career caring for animals as well as people. Every entrant onto the MSc is a qualified human physiotherapist with a minimum of 2 years postgraduate human experience.

Regardless of the qualifications held, all physiotherapists working with animals are legally required to obtain veterinary consent before treating any animal. This ensures protection to the animal, as well as ensuring the best possible treatment and outcome.