2020 Fall Conference - Animal Physical Therapy in the 21st Century
PT member | login required | $105.00 |
PTA member | login required | $80.00 |
PTA non-member and other professional | $125.00 | |
Life members | login required | $40.00 |
Student members | $40.00 |
Description
Presentation Overview:
The practice of treating animals by licensed physical therapists has grown exponentially nationwide since
the 1970s. Many of the skills used by physical therapists to treat animals are transferable with additional
educational competencies in anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, and relevant behavioral adaptations and
restraint. Identifying educational opportunities to acquire such competencies however has been limited due to
a lack of post-graduate courses, especially those taught by licensed physical therapists. In addition, no formal
documented standards of education for animal practice have existed until recently, and multiple scope of PT
practice laws exhibit unfortunate barriers to the profession.
Part I of this session will address the practice of animal physical therapy, a brief history, evolution, and current
state of the art. Part II will highlight research conducted on behalf of the Animal Physical Therapy Special
Interest Group of the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, APTA. Details of a completed practice
analysis, including an outline of essential competencies in clinical practice for animal physical therapy in
the United States, will be presented. Part III will address concerns expressed by the veterinary profession
and state policy and regulatory agencies regarding jurisdictional definitions of veterinary medicine, physical
therapy, direct access, and term and title protection. Strategies to address underlying factors impacting
regulatory issues and concerns by veterinarians regarding this niche market in PT clinical practice will be
highlighted.
Objectives:
• Provide an historical perspective on the treatment of animals by physical therapists with a focus on current
state laws and regulations related to clinical practice
• Present the purpose, methodology, analysis, and implications of data used to codify competencies defining
the current educational standards of practice for animal physical therapy
• Outline common perspectives from the veterinary profession both in support of and opposition to physical
therapists treating animals and highlight examples of successfully negotiated language presently codified
in several state jurisdictions
• Discuss relevant issues and concerns related to facilitating successful communications between the
professions of Physical Therapy and Veterinary Medicine
About The Speaker(s)
Kirk Peck PT, PhD, CSCS, CCRT, CERP
Dr. Peck holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, and
a PhD in Higher Education, Administration, and Leadership. He is current Chair of the Department of Physical
therapy at Creighton University, Omaha, NE with a teaching focus in political advocacy, and clinical exercise
physiology and wellness. Dr. Peck provides outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy pro bono services to the
Native American population residing in Omaha, and is certified in both canine and equine rehabilitation with a
focus on treating canine injuries, and equine in service for therapeutic riding and Hippotherapy.
Dr. Peck served two-terms as President of the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association, including 20-years
as Chair of the state legislative committee. In addition, he served two-terms as President of the Animal
Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (ARSIG) of the Orthopedic Academy, American Physical Therapy
Association. He is current Vice Chair of the Nebraska Physical Therapy Licensure Board and was recently
selected to serve on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy as Chair of the Ethics and Legislation
Committee. Dr. Peck has consulted with numerous physical therapists nationwide addressing political
issues related to animal rehabilitation, and presented nationally at the APTA State Government Affairs Forum,
APTA Combined Sections, and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Finally, Dr. Peck worked
extensively with the Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery to draft statutes and regulations
allowing PTs to acquire a professional license to treat animals following completion of additional educational
competencies.