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The Animal Physical Therapy Bill

Tuesday, March 20 at 4:16 AM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Connie Fredman, Ft. Collins

In regard to your editorial on House Bill 1126 (The Animal Physical Therapy Bill) , I am not sure which bill you were reading. The bill proposed only changes two things: 1. It allows Licensed Physical Therapists to work with animals by changing the phrase "humans" in the Physical Therapy Practice Act to "patients and clients"; and 2. It gives Licensed Physical Therapists an exemption from the Veterinary Practice Act if they abide by the rules set forth by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Board.

Without these two changes, Licensed Physical Therapists would be in violation of both the Physical Therapy and Veterinary Medicine Practice Acts if they were to provide physical therapy services to animals.

Nowhere in the bill is any other profession (either licensed or unlicensed) mentioned. If one were to read the Physical Therapy Practice Act, one would find that walking and exercising are not included within the scope of practice.

Therefore, someone walking, exercising or conditioning a dog would not fall under this jurisdiction.

For consumers, this bill provides protection against someone who chooses to provide "physical therapy" to animals without being qualified to do so. It also provides for accountability in case of complaints by the consumer. The Vet Med. Board, along with the Physical Therapy Board will jointly take responsibility for disciplinary action when necessary.

This bill has been three years in the making. There has been collaboration among the Physical Therapy Board, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Board and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association to come up with language that is acceptable to all involved. As a consumer of animal physical therapy services, this bill will provide me the comfort of knowing that my animals are being treated by knowledgeable, competent practitioners who have a measure of accountability.

As for your opinion that this bill would make it more difficult for entry level entrepreneurs to set up shop in Colorado, this bill actually does the opposite. This bill makes it possible for Licensed Physical Therapists to provide their services to animals, which they are unable to do now, making it easier for animal physical therapy businesses to start up. What this bill does is make sure the people providing physical therapy care for our animals are qualified to do so.

I urge you to reread the bill and become informed on what the bill really says. If you are concerned about the quality and level of care your pets receive, you should reconsider and give your full support to House Bill 1126.

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