Animal physiotherapist
An animal physiotherapist is a person who performs treatments on animals without a veterinary license . The practice of this profession is not regulated by law , in contrast to the alternative practitioner . The job title “animal physiotherapist” is not protected and can currently be used by anyone. So today there are animal physiotherapists, whose knowledge is based on a weekend course, next to those with several years of training, so that the profession must be viewed as very heterogeneous.
education
The training is not regulated by the state. The main topics of training to become an animal physiotherapist include:
- Animal anatomy and physiology
- veterinary subjects (such as pathology, internal medicine)
- Investigation methods
- Physiotherapeutic procedures
- Nutrition
- possibly also naturopathy
- possibly also behavioral biology
- Animal husbandry and care (basic knowledge)
- Business start-up and practice management
The courses take place at private schools that are subject to a fee, although the content of the courses varies greatly. Most of the patients are horses and dogs. Therefore, the training often only refers to these animal species.
As a rule, a good secondary school leaving certificate or secondary school leaving certificate is expected as a training requirement, as well as the ability to deal with animals well. A high level of personal commitment is also required.
The costs vary depending on the training institute (from € 1200 to € 10,000). The training usually lasts 2 to 3 years.
Job title
The job title “animal physiotherapist” is not protected and can currently be used by anyone. Furthermore, there is also no court judgment, as with the animal health practitioner similar to that of the BGH (see: judgment of April 22, 1999 - I ZR 108/97).
Just as the abbreviation THP has become established as a professional abbreviation for animal health practitioners , it is the abbreviation TP for physiotherapists .
Field of activity
Physiotherapy has also proven itself in the rehabilitation of animals in recent years, for example after an operation, after an accident or a serious illness.
Typical of the work of the animal physiotherapist are
- the applications of classic massage and other forms of massage
- Movement exercises
- the use of heat, cold and light of different wavelengths
- Use of various electrotherapeutic devices
The animal physiotherapist works hand in hand with other professions, including veterinarians and animal health practitioners. He supports other therapies through physiotherapeutic measures.
During training or competitions, the therapist also works with sports physiotherapy. He works out treatment plans independently and implements them.
Practice forms
Animal physiotherapists either have an on-site practice, work in the rooms of a veterinarian or animal healer, or operate a mobile practice.
In some German federal states, the activity and / or the opening of a practice must be registered with the responsible veterinary office . For this purpose, certain certificates of expertise must also be provided in these federal states, e.g. B. the certificate of competence for over-the-counter drugs. An animal physiotherapist can be held liable for misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment within the framework of the legal basis applicable to everyone.
Professional associations
There are now also professional associations for animal physiotherapists in Germany, some of which are associated with training centers. There is no compulsory membership in an umbrella organization with sanctioning powers (analogous to the veterinary association), so that there is also no binding professional code. Individual associations can adopt professional regulations in accordance with their respective statutes; however, these are not legally binding. The reason for this is that the profession of animal physiotherapist does not exist in the legal understanding, with the result that there are no legal regulations and no legal minimum requirements for practical work.
Situation in Austria
Animal physiotherapists are not a recognized veterinary profession in Austria. Due to a loophole in the Veterinary Act, only veterinarians are allowed to treat sick animals. After the Chamber of Veterinarians took legal action against animal physiotherapists (who are not veterinarians), the Animal Physiotherapists Association Austria (TPVÖ) was founded in February 2014 to provide information about the current legal situation.
Web links
- Federal Association of Certified Animal Physiotherapists eV
- German Society for Animal Health Practitioners and Animal Physiotherapists
- Animal Physiotherapy Association Germany eV
- 1. Association for Animal Physiotherapy eV
- Animal Physiotherapists Association Austria (TPVÖ)