Animal therapy organisations and training providers have announced their intention to launch the Animal Health Professions Register further to a DEFRA review of the regulations governing animal complementary therapies.
Since the inception of animal complementary therapies, the industry has exploded with a growing number of different therapies and modalities available to the animal owner. In recent years, there has been a review of the regulations governing animal complementary therapies and discussion on how animal owners can be fully informed about the therapist they choose. Twenty separate animal therapy associations, representing approximately 75% of the musculoskeletal therapists working in the UK, and a similar number of training providers, have come together to develop the Animal Health Professions Register. The aim of this Register is to make all levels of therapy accountable and clarify training and treatment type for owners and veterinary surgeons. A statement has been released from all the groups involved:
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McTimoney Animal Association Chair, Vanessa Davidson treating a horse. Credit:Colin Davidson. |
“As a result of the last 3.5 years of meetings conducted by the animal / veterinary and musculoskeletal groups in light of the Review of Minor Procedures Regime (RMPR), initiated by DEFRA, we are delighted to announce the intention to launch a new, industry-representative voluntary Register, the Animal Health Professions Register (AHPR). This Register will include a wide range of animal health professions, categorised into subgroups.” “The purpose of the Register will be to address the outcomes of DEFRA’s RMPR which indicated that there are confusions in the market for owners and veterinary surgeons when choosing animal health practitioners. This Register will be developed to ensure animal welfare by providing a list of practitioners with appropriate qualifications which have been externally verified and accredited, appropriate insurance, ongoing commitment to professional development and recourse for accountability.” Further details on the registration criteria and application dates will follow, including a provision for Grandparenting. This release has been developed by the following Associations / Training bodies:
Association of Complementary Animal Therapies (ACAT); Institute of Complementary Animal Therapies (ICAT) Association of McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapists (AMCST) Association of the Scientific Study in Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapy (ASSVAP); Justo Development; Berkshire College of Agriculture Canine Association of Accredited Myotherapists (CAAM); Galen Therapy Centre Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA)
European Guild of Canine Bowen Therapists (EGCBT); Carole Justice Gray Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) Canine & Equine Physiotherapy Training (CEPT) International Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT); The College of Animal Physiotherapy (TCAP) International Equine Touch Association (IETA UK & Ireland); Equine Touch Foundation Instructors Guild McTimoney Animal Association (MAA); McTimoney College of Chiropractic National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP); Harper Adams University; Writtle University College; Moreton Morrell College Register of Graduates of OCEPT; Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy (OCEPT) The Equine Shiatsu Association (tESA) The International Equine Thermography Association (IETA); Equine Thermography Training Centre TTouch Guild (TT); Tellington TTouch Animal Laser Therapy Association (ALTA); Laser Therapy & Training Centre Canine Conditioning Academy (CCA) Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy Training Centre SyncThermology.
