The Animal Rehabilitation Association of Canada (ARAC) is a new association in partnership with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. ARAC, formerly, the Animal Rehab Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, represents physiotherapists with a special interest in Animal Rehabilitation that are passionate about the physical health and function of our small and large animal patients
Our members realize the importance of animals in our society and appreciate the joy of seeing them reach their full potential, whether in old age, post surgically, after an injury, or in sport or leisure.
ARAC promotes excellence in the field of animal rehabilitation by offering a process for credentialing and continued professional development for physiotherapists providing rehabilitative care to animals.
We serve as a resource for members of the public, the veterinarian community and other allied animal health care practitioners to learn about the benefits of animal rehabilitation as well as where to access practitioners across Canada.
ARAC actively advocates for physiotherapists working with animals. We also endeavor to collaborate with the veterinary community and other allied animal health professionals.
ARAC Members are Physiotherapists!
ARAC members all hold a degree in the science of Physical Therapy. Physiotherapists are uniquely trained with the skills and knowledge to help restore and maximize a patient’s function following injury, surgery, or a chronic condition. Physiotherapists also work to prevent injury or dysfunction.
With anatomy and physiology being very similar across species (human and animal), many key rehabilitative principles remain the same. This enables the physiotherapist to transfer their professional expertise to animals once comparative anatomy and conditions are taken into account.
What is Animal Rehabilitation?
Animal rehabilitation is the application of physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques to animal patients (i.e. horses, farm animals, dogs, cats, or other small animals). Human physiotherapists have extensive training in the assessment and treatment of not only musculoskeletal injuries and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, but also neurological conditions, spinal injuries and vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction. Physiotherapists can complete advanced training and certification in how to apply their knowledge and skills to animals and then are referred to as Animal Rehabilitation Therapists. The goals of Animal Rehabilitation are no different than those of human physical therapy; to relieve pain, restore range of motion and movement, improve function, prevent injuries, and expand the physical potential and quality of life of the patient. Animal Rehabilitation Therapists can address your animal’s rehabilitation needs at every stage of healing.
Animal Rehabilitation Therapists actively collaborate with veterinarians and other allied animal healthcare providers to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to assessment, treatment and overall rehabilitation of your animals so that the best possible outcomes of care are achieved.
Animal Rehabilitation Therapists actively update their education to remain current on the latest treatments and technologies in order to best support their animal patients.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
ARAC advocates that physiotherapists with certification in Animal Rehabilitation are the professionals of choice to provide Animal Rehabilitation. ARAC is a source for the best practice of animal rehabilitation through education, professional development and communication within the animal health care industry.
Vision
- Improve the neuromusculoskeletal health of animals.
- Promote the advancement of clinical practice in Animal Rehabilitation.
- Increase the awareness of and access to physiotherapists educated in animal rehabilitation.
