Chapter 5 Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation 103increases in expenditures on pets, including
medical services (American Pet Products
Association, 2016).
Professional organizations
and conferences
As the number of clinicians, both physical
therapy and veterinary medical professionals,
specializing in the field of canine rehabilita
tion and sports medicine grows, the need for
organizations representing clinical, legisla
tive, and educational interests grows as well.
There has also been a more urgent call to
establish legislation and regulation in this
new specialty, especially when using person
nel, treatment strategies, and modalities that
are not considered conventional in veterinary
medicine, to ensure safe and ethical practice.
These professional organizations work pri
marily as lobbying, political, and legislatively
active organizations, but also provide annual
scientific conferences and continuing educa
tion to members. Many have newsletters with
clinically or legislatively relevant information,
scientific journals, and online social media
forums for collaboration and professional
discussion.
Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest
Group (AR‐SIG)
The Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group
(AR‐SIG), a special interest group (SIG) of the
Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA), was established
in 1993. The purpose of the ARSIG is to provide
a forum for physical therapists and physical
therapist assistants to discuss, promote, and
advance the practice of animal rehabilitation.
The ARSIG presents annually at the APTA
Combined Sections Meeting and provides
continuing education to members (Animal
Rehabilitation Special Interest Group, 2016).
The goals of the ARSIG are to:
● Promote the role of physical therapists in
the field of animal rehabilitation.
● Share information and resources with mem
bers of the physical therapy community and
veterinary medical professions.
● Establish collegial relationships with veteri
nary medical professionals to promote the
highest standards of quality and care in
animal rehabilitation.
● Develop and provide educational program
ming and other learning opportunities to
benefit members of the SIG.
● Foster research to support evidence‐
based practice on topics related to animal
rehabilitation.
● Develop and promote contemporary prac
tice guidelines for animal rehabilitation.
● Provide resources and support for SIG
members involved in the political process
of codifying legislative language directed
at enhancing, advancing, and protecting
physical therapist practice in animal
rehabilitation.
● Participate as active members in the Inter
national Association of Physical Therapists in
Animal Practice of the World Confederation
of Physical Therapy.American Association of Rehabilitation
Veterinarians (AARV)
The American Association of Rehabilitation
Veterinarians (AARV) was established in 2007.
The mission of the AARV is to “advance the art
and science of veterinary rehabilitation through
education, advocacy and a commitment to
research.” The organization’s objectives are to:● Spread awareness of the practice and bene
fits of rehabilitation to primary care veteri
narians, veterinary specialists, veterinary
students and the public.
● Advocate for the inclusion of rehabilitation
as part of comprehensive veterinary care,
● Promote model standards for best veteri
nary rehabilitation practices.
● Provide high‐quality continuing education
in veterinary rehabilitation.
● Advocate for legislation consistent with the
AARV’s goals and best practice guidelines.
● Strive to improve the practice of veterinary
rehabilitation by promoting and supporting
clinical research.
● Create partnerships with other organizations,
companies and educational institutions to
advance the field (American Association of
Rehabilitation Veterinarians, 2009–2017).