Animal Rehabilitation Position                                        Adopted by American Physical Therapy Association

"Acknowledging the collaborative relationships between physical therapists and veterinarians, and the evolving specialized practice by some physical therapists in animal rehabilitation, APTA has adopted a Board position that states "the practice of animal rehabilitation by physical therapists is permissible where allowed by law and regulation."

The Board cited the House Mission Statement Fulfillment Policy (HOD 06-93-06-07) in its deliberations, noting that the Association is to enable physical therapists to improve their knowledge and skills in the interest of furthering the profession. The Board concluded that its simultaneous responsibility is to further the profession and to promote legal practice. 

Disclaimer

"Though a graduate of an accredited Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree program and the holder of a physical therapy license in the state of Maryland, Amie is unable to call herself a 'physical therapist'. Maryland's legal definition of a physical therapist is "a physical therapist who is licensed by the Board (of Physical Therapy Examiners) to practice physical therapy." In turn, to practice of physical therapy is "to practice the health specialty concerned with: the prevention of disability in individuals; and the physical rehabilitation of individuals with a congenital or acquired disability." Thus, due to the specific use of these terms applied to individuals, which is defined as humans, the State of Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and the American Physical Therapy Association have advised that Amie not use the terms 'physical therapist' or 'physical therapy'."

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