by Kristyn Richardson, DVM, CCRT, CVSMT

Hello, fellow Rehabilitation Veterinarians!

Here we go - in alphabetical order - looking at our veterinary practice acts by state with regards to their mention of veterinary rehabilitation and their wording of the practice acts. The purpose is to take a look at how our practice acts impact us as a veterinary rehabilitative team. I promise this won't make your head hurt or your eyes bleed. It is just a glimpse into the rules that guide us by state - or lack thereof. Links to these practice acts and their complementary state practice acts for physical therapists are present on the State Practice Acts page of the AARV website for your reference, but I have included the first four for you to cut and paste into your browser if you are interested. Some of these acts are the most recent I can find. If you find you know of a more current version of the practice acts, please email the link to me and I will keep the site list updated.

For your reference and comparison, here is a link to the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act-January 2013: https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Model-Veterinary-Practice-Act.aspx  

Alabama

Link and reference: http://asbvme.alabama.gov/pdfs/licensee/practice_act_and_administrative_code.pdf 

In Alabama's practice act and administrative code, there is no provision specifying veterinary rehabilitation as the practice of veterinary medicine (34-29-61-(14) a), but the initial definition of the practice of veterinary medicine is "to diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental condition; .." This is a very broad statement that covers a lot of area, but is not very specific. I wonder how that may impact our physical therapists in a rehabilitative team in Alabama.

34-29-61-(21) - In this part of the act, Alabama includes all other branches of specialties of veterinary practice. Since the ACVSMR is now considered a specialty, veterinary rehabilitation may be more specifically defined as practice done by a veterinarian in some interpretations. Again, how does this impact your veterinary rehabilitative team?

To keep it short, I will just say that there are some very specific requirements for mobile clinics, satellite clinics, and referral clinics for veterinarians in the state.

Alaska

Link and reference: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/VeterinaryStatutes.pdf  

Arizona

Link: https://vetboard.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZ STATUTES AMENDED_ revised July 2014.pdf  

In Arizona's veterinary statutes, Article 1, 32-2201.20 defines a specialist, which is standard in many veterinary practice acts. In Article 1, 32-2201.29, the definition of veterinary medicine "...includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, acupuncture, manipulation and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine and the prescribing, administering or dispensing of drugs and medications for veterinary purposes." This includes veterinary rehabilitation in the practice of veterinary medicine based on this inclusive definition. In Article 3, 32-2231A, " A person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who, within this state:

1. By advertisement, or by any notice, sign or other indication, or by a statement written, printed or oral, in public or in private, made, done or procured by himself or any other at his request claims, announces, makes known or pretends ability or willingness to diagnose any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury or to perform any type of surgical procedure on animals.
2. Advertises or makes known or claims ability and willingness to perform the following for hire, fee, compensation or reward that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted:
1. Prescribe or administer any drug, medicine, treatment, method or practice for any animal.
2. Perform any operation or manipulation on or apply any apparatus or appliance to any animal.
3. Give any instruction or demonstration for the cure, amelioration, correction or reduction or modification of any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury.
3. Diagnoses or prognosticates any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury for hire, fee, reward or compensation that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted.
4. Prescribes or administers any drug, medicine, treatment, method or practice, performs any operation or manipulation, or applies any apparatus or appliance for the cure, amelioration, correction or modification of any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury for hire, fee, compensation or reward that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted." Certain exceptions are found is this section but, they do not pertain to veterinary rehabilitation specifically.

Arkansas

Link and reference: http://www.arvetboard.com/sgvetboard/practice.pdf 

In Arkansas' practice act, the "'PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE' means:

1. The diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, relief or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental condition, including the prescribing or administration of any prescription drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, on any animal including but not limited to acupuncture, dentistry, animal psychology, animal chiropractic, theriogenology, surgery (including cosmetic surgery), any manual, mechanical, biological or chemical procedure for testing for pregnancy or for correcting sterility or infertility or to tender service or recommendations with regard to any of the above;
2. To represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness to do any act described in the paragraph above;
3. The use of any title, words, abbreviations or letters in a manner or under circumstances which induce the belief that the person using them is qualified to do any act described in subdivision (2)(A) of this section. Such use shall be prima facie evidence of the intention to represent oneself as engaged in the practice of Veterinary Medicine;
4. Collecting blood or other samples for the purpose of diagnosing disease or other conditions. This shall not apply to unlicensed personnel employed by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission in disease control programs carried out under the authority of USDA and/or the State of Arkansas.

This shall not apply to Veterinary Technicians or assistants acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian as set forth in §17-101-306(b) and (e) of this Act except for collecting blood for State/Federal tests requiring that the licensed veterinarian draw the sample."

Also the definition, ""VETERINARY MEDICINE" includes veterinary surgery, theriogenology, dentistry, acupuncture, animal psychology, chiropractic and all other branches or specialties of Veterinary Practice; ."

These definitions are very similar to the above practice acts, but with more specific mention of different areas of veterinary medicine (theriogenology, acupuncture, dentistry, animal chiropractic). However, veterinary rehabilitation is not specifically mentioned but the practice of physical rehabilitation can be inferred from the definition. There are, however, specifications about "veterinary chiropractic" being performed by a licensed human chiropractor under immediate supervision of a veterinarian and requirements for those performing equine massage in this practice act.

by Kristen L. Hagler, BS (An.Phys), RVT, CCRP, CVPP, OACM, CBW

Jenn Panko, RVT, CCRP (OCMC, CAMPC), works with her client Logan on a land treadmill.

Clients often ask The SPAW's Companion Animal Rehabilitation Team how to use and choose a land treadmill for their pet. We provide the following guidelines for land treadmill selection and use:

Size:

1. Belt length = stride length + 10-12 inches : Measure your dogs stride at the trot on a dry surface like cement, wood, or paper after dipping their feet in water and add 10 inches to account for variable stride length due to increased stance phase of gait on a treadmill and the potential for the dog to slide backwards at times.
2. Belt width: The wider the better. Dogs often sway side to side during ambulation. A wider belt will allow for a larger margin of safety.

Safety Considerations Human Treadmill vs. Dog Specific Treadmill:

1. Side guards and barriers: Treadmills designed for human use do not come with the side guards and barriers that dog treadmills typically have. When selecting a dog specific treadmill it is recommended that the sides be removable as some dogs require the handler to stand over them for emotional or physical support (ie/ gait patterning in neurologic patients or hind end support in geriatric pets)
2. Front console: Treadmills designed for human use often have a front console that can interfere with handler control and interaction with the pet. The console if present should allow for the handler to have complete access to the pet. The pet should NEVER be tied to any part of the treadmill.
3. Belt material: Land treadmills designed for human use rely on their users to be wearing shoes. When selecting a land treadmill for pet use make sure the material and surface is bare foot/paw friendly.
4. Gaps between belt and treadmill casing: Treadmills designed for human use may pose a risk for pets feet as toes can get caught between the belt and treadmill casing. It is important that potential treadmills be thoroughly examined for gaps and that the space between the belt and casing is non-existent.
5. Off switch: It is recommended that the chosen treadmill have an immediate stop button that is easily accessible in case of emergency.

Land Treadmill Use:

1. Introducing your pet to the land treadmill: It is recommended to have your pet walk on and off the treadmill with you safely, slowly, and repeatedly using positive reinforcement. It is recommended that your pet observe the treadmill in motion before using it.
2. Use of the land treadmill: It is recommended that pets wear a harness and leash while using a land treadmill and are under constant supervision. Sessions should begin with 1-2 minutes working up to no longer than 20 minute sessions.The treadmill should face an open interactive area. Using a land treadmill facing a wall may have negative effects on stride length, gait, and overall pet performance and willingness to use the land treadmill.
3. Gait: The walk should be comfortable with long fluid strides. The pet should not struggle at the walk. If the treadmill is too slow when a walk is the desired gait they may appear to have difficulty with their coordination. When moving to a trot the selected speed should produce a fluid and even trot gait. Pacing on a treadmill can indicate an underlying medical condition or anxiety about the activity. If the pet paces on the land treadmill please see a veterinarian for a comprehensive mobility examination to rule out mobility issues.
4. Land Treadmills and Cats: Cats often enjoy and benefit from land treadmill use. Constant supervision is required and the same specification and safety considerations other than stride length concerns apply to land treadmill use and selection for our feline friends.

About Jenn

Jenn Panko owns and manages The SPAW, a Canine Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, and Fitness Centre in Aldergrove, British Columbia Canada in partnership with The Aldergrove Animal Hospital. She is a Registered Veterinary Technologist (Seneca College, Ontario 2005) where she was the recipient of The Veterinary Technology Recognition and Appreciation Award for dedication to and excellence in animal care. She completed The University of Tennessee's Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Program in 2006. In 2012 she completed the University of Tennessee's Certified Osteoarthritis Case Management Program and was the recipient of The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Award of Merit for enhancing the image of the veterinary technology profession and a long standing history of community service.  In 2014 she completed the University of Tennessee's Companion Animal Pain Management Certificate Program. Her clinical experience includes a variety of work in private, referral, and academic companion animal practice, mobile, racetrack, and surgical equine practice, and wildlife rehabilitation. Jenn has a wide variety of experience in orthopedic, neurologic, weight loss, and conditioning rehabilitation. She developed her tool box of rehabilitation skills at The Mississauga-Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital and Referral Group coordinating CARE, The Companion Animal Rehabilitation Experts, Rehabilitation Service. She also managed The Neurology and MRI Service. Prior to her recent relocation to British Columbia she was part of the team at The Hill's Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre, as a primary healthcare technician and coordinator of The Companion Animal Rehabilitation Service at The Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She is pleased to provide rehabilitation lectures and workshops at conferences and veterinary meetings and teach large animal laboratory sessions at her local veterinary technician college.