Recently I’ve had a few people ask me what the title “Chartered Physiotherapist” means, especially when it comes to the Veterinary Physiotherapy world.
Well I will try and clear up some confusion......
A Chartered Physiotherapist is a physiotherapist who has gained a qualification to treat humans prior to doing further study to treat animals, completing in total, 5/6 years of studying, and allowing them to be part of the professional body ACPAT. Therefore, they are able to treat humans, and animals.
In the human world the title “Physiotherapist” is protected, however, it is not protected in the animal world, so anyone can go out and practise calling themselves a Vet Physiotherapist, Animal Physiotherapist or an Equine Physiotherapist regardless of having any qualifications!
However, one thing to remember is the term “Chartered Physiotherapist” is protected!
So if you are using a Physiotherapist to treat your animals, make sure they are either “Chartered” (so qualified to treat humans as well) or hold a qualification in Veterinary Physiotherapy.
You’ll be surprised how many people are out there practising that unfortunately hold no qualifications at all, or say they are a Physiotherapist, but are actually something completely different.
Check your therapists qualifications!
