Vet physio body, the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) is calling for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to establish an independent register of physiotherapy practitioners. According to the Association, such a register would eliminate individuals practicing without proper training and qualifications and raise the standard of veterinary physiotherapy by providing a disciplinary role.

NAVP President and leading veterinary anatomist Dr Sue Kempson is heading the NAVP campaign for the establishment of an independent register. In a letter to the President of the RCVS, Dr Kempson said: “Recognition by the veterinary profession of the role of physiotherapy in post-operative rehabilitation and in supporting both companion and performance animals is growing. However, we do believe that referring veterinary surgeons are increasingly faced with a dilemma caused by the wide differential between qualifications offered by the various organisations representing practitioners in areas such as physiotherapy. There is an urgent need for a distinction to be made between these different types of qualification. To this end, there should be a clearly defined independent register of practitioners with appropriately validated qualifications which are clearly understood by the veterinary profession.”

In partnership with Harper Adams University College, the NAVP has introduced a fully-validated post-graduate course in veterinary physiotherapy which offers a choice of Post-Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree. Only one other professional body, the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) currently offers a similar qualification at this level.

Dr Kempson says: “The establishment of a register of physiotherapists would greatly assist vets and their clients to make informed decisions on their choice of therapist. It would eliminate those individuals without proper training and qualifications and help raise the standard of veterinary physiotherapy by providing a disciplinary role. At present there are no sanctions on those people practicing without the necessary qualifications or those whose work is sub-standard or who are guilty of professional misconduct.

2010 is the 25th anniversary of the origins of NAVP and as part of the celebrations the Executive Committee have organised a CPD event on 31st March 2010 to take place at Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire, commencing at 2.00pm. The Association’s AGM will be held in the morning at the same venue.

Admission to this afternoon event is open to members and non-members and will be free of charge, but as numbers are limited, non-members will need tickets which can be obtained from Gail Williams at gail@navp.co.uk

Veterinary physiotherapy body, the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) has announced the appointments of a new President and Vice President. Leading veterinary academic Dr Susan Kempson has become president and will be supported in that role by new Vice President Lady Willoughby de Broke.

Both appointments come with the launch of a new MSc veterinary physiotherapy course offered by Harper Adams University College in conjunction with the NAVP.

Dr Kempson has been teaching and examining on veterinary anatomy for the NAVP since 2007 and now lectures on comparative veterinary anatomy and the principles of locomotion to students on the Association’s Masters course. Describing her objectives as a teacher involved in veterinary physiotherapy, she says: “Veterinary anatomy is a vital and dynamic subject and it is important to guide the student’s developing powers of observation and their ability to relate the subject to the husbandry and care of living animals.”

Lady Willoughby de Broke is a lifelong horsewoman who attended Pony Club and hunted progressing to a successful career in eventing, which she combined with full-time work, competing at Badminton in 1985. Now living with her family in Warwickshire, she still enjoys eventing and hunting.

Welcoming both to their new roles with the NAVP, director of education Dr Gail Williams said: “To have Dr Kempson, who is such a well-respected figure in veterinary circles, taking on the role of our President is a huge endorsement of the work we are doing to promote veterinary physiotherapy. Lady Willoughby de Broke also brings a special perspective to the role as a successful eventer who understands the importance of promoting equine fitness from the owner and rider’s point of view. She is a great supporter of the NAVP and the work we are doing to ensure that both the veterinary profession and owners are able to rely on properly qualified physiotherapy professionals.