The National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists was formed over 25 years ago by a number of highly skilled practicing physiotherapists who had been working for and with some of the world's top veterinary surgeons. The ethos of that original association was for the promotion of professional practice of veterinary physiotherapy and to ensure that the highest standards of physiotherapy care would be delivered to animals.

Working together with Veterinary Surgeons, NAVP has grown to become one of only two widely recognised Veterinary Physiotherapy organisations. Not only is NAVP trusted by Veterinary Surgeons worldwide, but it is widely recognised by the veterinary insurance companies. As an indicator of this level of trust in the professionalism of NAVP and its members, most insurance companies will now only pay a claim for physiotherapy if it is provided by a member of only 2 organisations, one of which is NAVP.

NAVP members are highly trained and skilled in providing physiotherapy care for all animals including companion animals, exotics, horses and farm animals. NAVP physiotherapists can be found treating in situations as diverse as horses in some of the most prestigious racing stables in the world, a child's pet rabbit, an elderly guide dog with arthritis, and even a critical or comatose accident victim within a veterinary practice.

Further, as with their human counterparts, NAVP members are highly skilled in performance development of the animal athlete. No top class human athlete would dream of competing without the assistance of a sports physiotherapist and NAVP have members who specialise in the support of the performance horse or dog, creating resilience to injury and superior performance.

NAVP exists to promote the welfare of all animals from much loved pets to the most expensive of equine athletes. Wherever an NAVP member is working, an animal is receiving the benefit and it is the aim of NAVP to keep pushing forward the boundaries in the knowledge base of veterinary physiotherapy, so that the standard of animal care will be perpetually enhanced.

Legal

All NAVP members adhere to Ss 19 and 20 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and will only treat injured animals by veterinary referral. All NAVP members carry over £2,000,000 worth of insurance cover. Therefore a Veterinary Surgeon or owner can be completely reassured that the quality and professional service provided by NAVP members is the very highest.

Education

NAVP members are also involved in some of the cutting edge research into the improvement of animal welfare and treatment. A key feature for membership of NAVP and therefore the ability to practice is the requirement for all our members to undergo Continual Professional Development (CPD). This ensures that all of our members remain at the cutting edge of treatment and that all clients are given service of the highest quality.

To further this aim NAVP, in collaboration with Harper Adams University College (HAUC) have launched an MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy. Unlike most other courses, accreditation of this MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy will ensure the highest quality of veterinary physiotherapists for the treatment of pets and competition animals.