Our Mission

Animals, like people, respond to Physiotherapy. The purpose of physiotherapy is to restore and maintain mobility, function, independence and performance. From the management of joint or spinal problems to rehabilitation after fractures or any injury, animal physiotherapy is now considered an essential addition to medical and surgical treatment. 

ACPAT is a dynamic, progressive organisation, developed from within the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. We aim to:

• Lead the field in the development of high quality, innovative physiotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of animals.
• Raise the standards of animal physiotherapy and promote excellence through ongoing education, evaluation, research and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Increase the profile and promote the benefits of animal physiotherapy and rehabilitation to the veterinary profession, the general public and other allied animal health professionals/organisations.
• Contribute to the development of expert knowledge and specialist skills to meet the needs of this client group and their owners.
• Protect and advance members’ interests through sound communication and clinical guidance.
• Reinforce a strong relationship and collaboration between professional associations and regulatory bodies within both human and veterinary fields, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, BEVA, BSAVA and The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Professionals to name a few.

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Our Impact

Since the establishment of ACPAT in 1985 our association has seen much change, from the commencement of a highly sort after Masters level programme for Chartered Physiotherapists, to the development of evidence based clinical practice guidelines in animal practice. ACPAT continues to work alongside leading Veterinary Professionals and key stakeholders to champion the merits of not only animal physiotherapy but also the standards our association, and its members represent.

Year on year our membership grows, not only due to high levels of membership retention but equally with new members looking for an association vested in raising the long term standards of animal physiotherapy, rehabilitation and welfare. We have excellent pass rates for our Hartpury University and University of Liverpool programmes at an average of 98%, with many graduates continuing to contribute to the wider veterinary rehabilitation fields through research and education as well as their professional careers.

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Our Members

Providing the best physiotherapist standards to restore and maintain mobility, function, independance and performance in animals.

The membership is the backbone of our association. Our members begin their careers training in human physiotherapy before upgrading their skills to work with animals. Chartered Physiotherapists have specialist knowledge in anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and pathology. The considerable experience gained in the human field develops refined clinical reasoning and practical skills which are largely transferrable to animal physiotherapy. Many of our members are involved in post graduate research up to PhD level, teaching physiotherapy students and delivering high quality training to other allied veterinary professionals.

All Chartered Physiotherapists abide by the standards for fitness to practise set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Code of Professional Values & Behaviour set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). In addition, our members are subject to a random annual audit process to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of health and safety, record keeping, professionalism and competency. All members maintain full public and professional malpractice indemnity.

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Executive Committee

The role of the Committee is to support members in their training and professional development, promote ACPAT Physiotherapists both in the UK and Internationally as well as maintaining an open link with the CSP on behalf of the members. To get in touch with any of our Committee, please click on the links below.