04/04/2017
ACTION ALERT!
Write the California Vet Medical Board today and let them know you want increased access to licensed physical therapists certified in animal rehabilitation! They will be voting on April 19th, so voice your support and send them an email today!
Here is a sample letter. Feel free to use this in its entirety or craft your own!
Want to have more choice in practitioners for your pet?
Email them today!
Email your letters to:
Members, California Veterinary Medical Board
c/o Annemarie DelMugnaio, Executive Director
1747 N. Market Blvd. Suite 230
Sacramento, CA 95834
RE: Board Meeting Vote Set for April 19, 2017
Please distribute to all members of the CVMB for consideration prior to the vote on April 19, 2017
Dear California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB) members,
I respectfully request you to support the Animal Rehabilitation Taskforce recommendation to allow veterinarians to refer pets to a licensed physical therapist certified in animal rehabilitation who is working at a premises that meets state health and safety standards, as determined by both the CVMB and the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC). It is my understanding that such referrals would be authorized only after a veterinarian has conducted a thorough medical examination and determined that physical rehabilitation would be a beneficial treatment option. Furthermore, to ensure my pets’ safety, the veterinarian would determine the level of supervision needed for the practitioner rendering the rehabilitation services throughout the duration of the animal’s treatment plan. To increase access to these qualified practitioners, licensed physical therapists trained and certified in animal rehabilitation should be allowed to practice on their own premises. I am strongly opposed to a mandate requiring a veterinarian be on the same premises as that would increase the cost of these services and limit my choice and access to qualified practitioners. I don’t expect my doctor to be on the same premises as my physical therapist, and likewise, I don’t expect my veterinarian to be onsite for rehabilitation services for my animals either.
As you know, physical therapy techniques are providing thousands of pets, including horses, relief from painful and debilitating injuries, surgeries, sore muscles, aging joints, and many more ailments. Growing public awareness about the positive benefits of animal physical rehabilitation treatments is increasing the demand for services. I believe that this recommendation would expand healthcare options for the thousands of Californians who love and cherish their pets, while also protecting the health and welfare of animals treated by qualified non-veterinarian rehabilitation therapists.
Again, I respectfully request you to support this very important recommendation as written by the VMB Animal Rehabilitation Taskforce as it relates to the ability of licensed physical therapists with certification in animal rehabilitation to practice on animals.
Sincerely,
Name:
Date:
Address:
*The Animal Rehabilitation Taskforce’s recommendation to the CVMB:
“California licensed physical therapists with advanced certification in Animal Physical Rehabilitation (APR) (with such certification to be defined by the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB) and Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) working cooperatively) may provide APR under the degree of supervision to be determined by the veterinarian who has established the Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR) on a veterinary premises or APR premises (as defined in regulation by the CVMB and PTBC working cooperatively), or a range setting."
cc: Bill Gage, Chief Consultant for Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee
Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee
State Capitol, Room 2053
Sacramento, CA 95814
cc: Leondra Clark-Harvey, Chief Consultant for Assembly Business and Professions Committee
Assembly Business and Professions Committee
Legislative Office Building, Room 383
Sacramento, California 95814
