The History of Rehabilitation

The sequence of events leading to the development of veterinary rehabilitation is summarized in this chapter. With the rise in popularity of equine performance events in the 1960s, there was an increased demand to adapt physical therapy for equids to improve performance. In the 1980s, canine physical therapy was introduced and certificate training in animal physical rehabilitation began in 1997. The practice of veterinary medicine by a licensed veterinarian is to diagnose, treat, alleviate, or prevent animal diseases, injuries, and other conditions through various methods. Physical therapists have valuable skills in physical rehabilitation, and proper collaboration between our professions can enhance veterinary patient care. It is vital for allied health professionals to carefully review their profession's state practice act and the state veterinary medical practice act because working on animals is considered the practice of veterinary medicine.