As one of the emerging professions in veterinary medicine, animal physiotherapy is almost similar to human practice treating the most basic physical conditions.
Animal physiotherapy is a relatively new specialisation in Australia that involves veterinary teams and surgeons in giving optimum results out of rehabilitation.
National Chair of APA Animal Group, Meagan Lamming said that experienced physiotherapists can support an animal’s well-being as much as they can do for a person.
She said that physiotherapists do not only massage animals, they can also perform rehabilitation procedures applicable to a physical condition.
Michelle Monk, a physiotherapist, and director of Dogs in Motion initiated the first physiotherapy centre for dogs in 2002.
She said that animals usually do not have access to rehabilitation which pushed her to educate vets with its importance.
The advances in veterinary medicine help animal physiotherapy to carry out various physical treatments.
Aside from its benefits to an animal’s well-being, it can also reduce the likelihood of getting injured again.
Currently, there is a large patient group that requires physiotherapy assistance and care.
Animal physiotherapy not only helps animals but also their owner. In Ms. Monk’s case, her advocacy of driving forward an animal physiotherapy centre puts forth the interests of the owner in taking care of their pet’s well-being.
Brooke Williams, a physiotherapist who admitted had an affinity for animals, said that there is a huge work before carrying out the continuity of animal physiotherapy in the country.
She is interested to pursue further postgraduate studies for innovation in the profession.
Despite the challenges that confront the profession, Ms. Williams maintained a positive insight into the progress of the profession in the country.
The needs of animals, Ms. Williams believed, should be met at all costs regardless of the conditions. Especially when talking about their physical condition, pets must be given the adequate care and support available and animal physiotherapy is here to stay.
Practicing animal physiotherapy in Australia
Development sessions are required to be attended by those who intend to pursue a career in animal physiotherapy. Also, the Animal Physiotherapy Group of the APA is the point of contact for interested practitioners.
AHPRA also provides guidelines and information about the career.
In talking about pathways, practitioners usually obtain a Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy at University of Liverpool, supplemented with APA postgraduate courses.
You can check a qualified practitioner through the AHPRA website.
