Excerpt from Veterinary Practice News:
The University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine offers a high-level, 140-hour certification program in equine rehabilitation. Only human physical therapists, human physical therapy assistants, veterinarians and veterinary technicians can enroll.
"Human physical therapists/assistants have training in the different therapeutic modalities and veterinarians and vet techs have been trained in anatomy, physiology and locomotion,” says UT’s Steve Adair, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVS.
“We teach veterinarians the therapeutic modalities, and physical therapists/assistants equine anatomy, physiology and locomotion,” Dr. Adair says. “They each have already had more advanced training in specific disciplines, which makes their level of knowledge higher than non-medically trained individuals.”
Adair, associate professor of equine surgery, says that because of their elevated medical training, the students are better able to recognize problems and notice imrovements, which allow them to adjust therapies during rehabilitation.
“Scientific training also helps them discern which therapies show evidence of efficacy,” he says. “They need to be able to weed through anecdotal, testimonial information and critically evaluate which therapies will benefit the animal.”
To read the entire article, click here
"Human physical therapists/assistants have training in the different therapeutic modalities and veterinarians and vet techs have been trained in anatomy, physiology and locomotion,” says UT’s Steve Adair, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVS.
“We teach veterinarians the therapeutic modalities, and physical therapists/assistants equine anatomy, physiology and locomotion,” Dr. Adair says. “They each have already had more advanced training in specific disciplines, which makes their level of knowledge higher than non-medically trained individuals.”
Adair, associate professor of equine surgery, says that because of their elevated medical training, the students are better able to recognize problems and notice imrovements, which allow them to adjust therapies during rehabilitation.
“Scientific training also helps them discern which therapies show evidence of efficacy,” he says. “They need to be able to weed through anecdotal, testimonial information and critically evaluate which therapies will benefit the animal.”
To read the entire article, click here
Physical therapy gaining in pet world
Dr. Thomas Burns, hospital director at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth, reports that while physical therapy isn't new to veterinary medicine, the use of this form of rehabilitation has become a lot more popular in recent years.
"It is common knowledge in human medicine that physical therapy promotes a quicker recover from surgery or injury," Burns says. "Through advancements in veterinary medicine, now pets can benefit from species-specific therapy. From dogs, horses, to even cats, physical therapy makes for a healthier patient without the potential side-effects of pharmaceuticals."
Burns emphasizes that physical therapy can be used to successfully treat a variety of ailments.
"It is very helpful for post-surgical recovery for animals with orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions," the veterinarian says, noting that physical therapy can be used to treat pets recovering from knee, hip or back surgery, as well as fracture or tendon repair.
"It also benefits older arthritic patients, obese animals, animals with muscle damage and those pets for which surgery may not be an option," Burns says. "In most cases it is a significant benefit to the pet."
Click here to read the full article.
"It is common knowledge in human medicine that physical therapy promotes a quicker recover from surgery or injury," Burns says. "Through advancements in veterinary medicine, now pets can benefit from species-specific therapy. From dogs, horses, to even cats, physical therapy makes for a healthier patient without the potential side-effects of pharmaceuticals."
Burns emphasizes that physical therapy can be used to successfully treat a variety of ailments.
"It is very helpful for post-surgical recovery for animals with orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions," the veterinarian says, noting that physical therapy can be used to treat pets recovering from knee, hip or back surgery, as well as fracture or tendon repair.
"It also benefits older arthritic patients, obese animals, animals with muscle damage and those pets for which surgery may not be an option," Burns says. "In most cases it is a significant benefit to the pet."
Click here to read the full article.
