ASVMAE ThinkWORKS 2011: Veterinary Scope of Practice Tales from the Trenches: Linking Veterinary Medicine to Other Regulated Providers Ralph Johnson Colorado VMA April 16, 2011
Scope of comments • What have we done? • Why did we do it? • RATs or NRATs? • How’s it going? • Is there a next?
What have we done? • Tracked this professional issue • Participated in the white paper group • Engaged with CSU and Dr. Narda Robinson • Then we got shoved – er, motivated
Shove #1 – Animal Physical Therapy • Motivated legislator in 2007 • Group of PTs who were earnest, educated, and connected • Risk in the mid range • Discussion over two years to create the model
The APT Model • Licensed physical therapist • Registry • Education and clinical experience • Special practice authority for PT of animals • Liability insurance – not so fast!
The APT Model – Education Requirements 1. Foundation / clinical sciences a. Gross and applied non-human animal anatomy/physiology b. Wound healing and response of tissues to disuse and remobilization in the non-human animal c. Animal behavior d. Animal restraint e. Zoonotic and infectious diseases
The APT Model – Education Requirements 2. Examination / evaluation / prognosis / PT diagnosis a. Medical and surgical management of orthopedic, neurological, critically injured, geriatric, arthritic and obest non-human animals b. Gait and other movement analyses 3. Intervention / plan of care / outcome a. Therapeutic exercise applied to non-human animals b. Therapeutic modalities c. Outcome assessment and documentation
Shove #2 – Animal Massage • Started as the animal owner rights bill in 2008 • Sponsored by Rep. Wes McKinley • Paired with a citizen advocate • Huge and immediate traction for the bill • Dealing with an NRAT • … that became a RAT
The Animal Massage Model • Licensed massage therapist • Education requirements • Animal massage defined
The Animal Massage Model – Education • Degree or certificate in animal massage • From a school approved by the Occupational School Division, Colorado Department of Higher Education – or an out-of-state school accredited by US Department of Education
The Animal Massage Model – Massage Definition • Animal massage means a method of treating the body for remedial or hygienic purposes through techniques that include, without limitation, rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping with the hand or an instrument or both. These techniques may be applied with or without the aid of a massage device that mimics the actions possible using human hands.
Shove #3 – Animal Chiropractic • First attempt several years earlier • Second attempt in 2009 prompted by sunset review of the chiropractic practice act
The Animal Chiropractic Model • Details in statute • Special authority • Animal chiropractic defined Animal chiropractic means diagnosing and treating animal vertebral subluxation through chiropractic adjustment of the spine or extremity articulations of fully awake dogs and horses. The chiropractic adjustment may be performed only with the hands or with the use of a hand-held low-force mechanical adjusting device functionally equivalent to the device known as an activator; all other equipment is prohibited. Animal chiropractic does not include …
The Animal Chiropractic Model – continued • Repeat – dogs and horses only! • Licensed chiropractor • Education = classroom, clinical experience, proficiency evaluation • Registry • Continuing education • Veterinary medical clearance • Separate treatment room • Disciplinary authority
Title here A Summary of the Structures Animal Animal Animal Massage Physical Chiropractic Therapy Licensed professional Yes Yes Yes Educational requirements Statute Rule Statute (general) (specific) (specific) Registry No Yes Yes Veterinary medical clearance No Verbal Written Disciplinary structure Yes Yes Yes (link to (link to SBVM) SBVM)
How’s It Going? • Education programs approved • Registries created • Limited number of complaints coming forward • Was it worth it?
What’s Next? • Pre-veterinary emergency care • Acupuncture ? • Equine dentistry ? • ?
Questions? Thank you!
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