The Associate of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) is the special interest group for Chartered Physiotherapists and Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) who have completed specialist, post-graduate training in Veterinary Physiotherapy. This means that all ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapists are fully qualified and state registered human Physiotherapists as well as Veterinary Physiotherapists.
There currently exists a very wide range of Veterinary Physiotherapy training courses available in the UK, with a broad spectrum of entry requirements and clinical contact, and educational demands. Only Chartered Physiotherapists are able to gain access to the PG Dip/MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy courses which lead to Category A membership to ACPAT - these courses are at the University of Liverpool and the University of the West of England. Unlike human physiotherapy practice, where the title "Physiotherapist", "Chartered Physiotherapist" and derivatives there of, are protected by law, there are no such restrictions when the title physiotherapist is prefixed with "animal", "veterinary" or "equine" for example. Therefore, there is no regulation of who can call themselves these titles. This makes making informed choices on the professional that treats your animal confusing for owners and veterinary surgeons.
ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapists represent the "Gold Standard" in Veterinary Physiotherapy having completed a minimum of 5 years university education in physiotherapy, and at least 6 years of clinical experience.
There currently exists a very wide range of Veterinary Physiotherapy training courses available in the UK, with a broad spectrum of entry requirements and clinical contact, and educational demands. Only Chartered Physiotherapists are able to gain access to the PG Dip/MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy courses which lead to Category A membership to ACPAT - these courses are at the University of Liverpool and the University of the West of England. Unlike human physiotherapy practice, where the title "Physiotherapist", "Chartered Physiotherapist" and derivatives there of, are protected by law, there are no such restrictions when the title physiotherapist is prefixed with "animal", "veterinary" or "equine" for example. Therefore, there is no regulation of who can call themselves these titles. This makes making informed choices on the professional that treats your animal confusing for owners and veterinary surgeons.
ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapists represent the "Gold Standard" in Veterinary Physiotherapy having completed a minimum of 5 years university education in physiotherapy, and at least 6 years of clinical experience.