102 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
related topics, as well as clinical and academic
research articles regularly published in jour
nals including Veterinary Surgery, the Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(JAVMA), Veterinary Clinics of North America, the
American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR),
and Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice (OPTP),
amongst others.
The practice of canine rehabilitation and
sports medicine continues to evolve, the result of
scientific, medical, and technological advance
ments, increased visibility and accessibility, and
increased demand.
The exponential progress in research and
technology in recent years has led to growth
in medicine, veterinary medicine, and reha
bilitation and sports science. Advancements in
genetic and pharmaceutical research have
resulted in the use of medications that are more
specific to the patient, and, as a result, more
effective. Diagnostic imaging is more techno
logically advanced, allowing for more specific
diagnostics and for treatment to be more targeted
and efficient. The use of minimally invasive
surgical techniques has allowed for quicker
procedure (and anesthesia) time resulting in
quicker recovery time with fewer intraoperative
and postoperative complications. Further, the
use of and research into regenerative medicine
treatments, including stem cell and platelet‐
rich plasma (PRP) injections, are expanding
(McGowan, 2007; McGonagle et al., 2014).
The predictable growth in canine rehabilitation
is reflective of the parallel growth in rehabili
tation in human medicine, with use of services
pre‐ and post‐operatively, as a conservative,
nonoperative option, and to assist with man
agement of medical conditions not traditionally
addressed by rehabilitation medicine (i.e.,
oncological rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilita
tion) becoming more commonplace (McGonagle
et al., 2014).
There is increased accessibility to specialties
in veterinary medicine, not only at academic
teaching hospitals, but also at private spe
cialty and referral practices (McGowan, 2007;
McGonagle et al., 2014). Some veterinary spe
cialists, especially surgeons and neurologists,
have an expectation that rehabilitation be an
integral component of postoperative care,
whether on site or in a nearby facility. There
are free‐standing, independent rehabilitation
facilities in many areas, making rehabilitation
more accessible to the client.
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and
physical therapists trained in canine rehabilita
tion are becoming more numerous, as programs
provide education not only in professional
continuing education, but also for physical
therapy and veterinary medicine professionals
during the professional education curriculum.
Early in the evolution of the field of canine
rehabilitation and sports medicine, the Animal
Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (AR‐SIG)
of the Orthopaedic Section of the American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA) continu
ing education programs in canine and equine
physical therapy evolved into the Northeast
Seminars/University of Tennessee Canine
Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) Certification
Program. This Program has graduated practi
tioners from varied medical and veterinary
backgrounds since 2003. The Canine Rehabi
litation Institute has provided a postgraduate
education program collaborating the efforts of
physical therapy and veterinary medicine
clinicians, certifying over 1000 therapists and
veterinary professionals since 2003. Both pro
grams have offered their education programs
internationally as well as in the United States.
Alternately, there are at least seven postgradu
ate certification, degree, or diploma programs
for physical therapists in animal physiotherapy,
based in Canada, Europe, Africa, and Australia.
Although the pathways by which practitioners
enter the field are varied, each can provide
specialized treatment through unique knowledge
and skill, resulting in a valued service to the
collaborative canine rehabilitation and sports
medicine team (McGonagle et al., 2014).
The field of canine rehabilitation and sports
medicine has seen increased demand as there
are more pets who live longer and who are
more active, and, thus, more likely to be injured
and potentially benefit from canine rehabilita
tion services. The average life span of the dog
has been extended, similar to that of the human
population. Along with this extended life span,
there is increased awareness of treatment options
available in veterinary medicine (McGonagle
et al., 2014). According to the American Pet
Products Association National Pet Owners
Survey (2015–2016), 54.4 million US house
holds owned at least one dog, with coordinated