ADVOCACY & PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Better Care Through Collaboration
Advancing animal rehabilitation through clear roles, shared understanding, and coordinated care between licensed professionals.
ADVOCATE
Support your profession through clear scope and aligned standards
COLLABORATE
Work across disciplines to support patient outcomes
ADVANCE
Strengthen systems that expand access to rehabilitation care
Do You Need to Take Action?
You may need to take action if any of the following apply in your state:
Physical therapists are not allowed in the Practice Act to work with animals.
The law is unclear or inconsistently interpreted.
Referral or supervision requirements are undefined or restrictive.
You are a veterinarian and want to refer to a physical therapist.
You or your colleagues are running into barriers to care.
Collaboration with physical therapists is not addressed or unclear in the Practice Act.
If any of the above apply, use the guide below to determine where to start.
Understanding Legislation
Knowing where to act is an important as knowing what to say.
STATUTE (LAW)
What it is:
Laws created by the state legislature
What it does:
Defines scope of practice and what is legally permitted
When to engage:
When establishing or changing the ability for physical therapists to practice on animals
Example:
A state law is updated to allow licensed physical therapists to provide rehabilitation services under veterinary referral
RULES & REGULATIONS
What it is:
Rules created by licensing boards
What it does:
Defines how laws are applied in practice
When to engage:
When clarifying supervision, referral pathways, and implementation
Example:
A licensing board defines how physical therapists may provide care under veterinary referral, including supervision requirements
How do I know where to start?
Determine your starting point based on your state’s language.
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Does your Practice Act say “individual” or “person”?
→ Start at the STATUTE level
Clarify scope of practice through legislative change.
Does your Practice Act say “patient” or “client”?
→ Start at the RULES & REGULATIONS level
Work with your PT Board using existing FSBPT language.
VETERINARIANS
Does your Practice Act use the term “physical therapy”?
→ Start at the STATUTE level
Align language with licensed physical therapy scope.
Is referral to physical therapists undefined?
→ Start at the RULES & REGULATIONS level
Establish clear referral pathways and collaboration.
Key Resources
Practical tools to support effective advocacy and clear communication.
Letters of Support
Ready-to-use letters for legislative outreach and stakeholder communication.
Choose the letter that fits your audience:
For Legislators
→ Physical Therapist Letter to Legislators
→ Veterinarian Letter to Legislators
→ Client Letter to Legislators
For Physical Therapy Boards
→ Physical Therapist Letter to PT Boards
→ Veterinarian Letter to PT Boards
→ Client Letter to PT Boards
For Veterinary Boards
→ Physical Therapist Letter to Veterinary Boards
→ Veterinarian Letter to Veterinary Boards
→ Client Letter to Veterinary Boards
Position Statements
Evidence-based documents for communication with legislators and boards.
Choose the statement that fits your path:
3-Minute Statements to PT and Vet Boards
Statement of collaboration for communication with PT and Vet boards. l
Choose the statement that fits your audience:
For Physical Therapy Boards
→ Physical Therapist Statement
→ Veterinary/Surgeon Statement
For Veterinary Boards
→ Physical Therapist Statement
→ Veterinary/Surgeon Statement
APTA Advocacy Webinars
Stay current with national advocacy efforts, legislative updates, and collaborative care strategies through APTA-hosted webinars.
For Physical Therapists: Engage with the APTA Orthopaedic Animal Physical Therapy Community to support coordinated legislative efforts.
How to Use These Tools
Edit, adapt, and apply these documents to fit your state’s language, regulatory structure, and specific advocacy needs.
The Advocacy Process
Start with your pathway, then follow the steps. Use the resources above to support each step.
The Statutory Process
The Rules & Regulations Process
Stronger Laws. Clearer Rules. Better Care.
Where Collaborative Care Is Supported
States vary in how collaborative rehabilitation care is supported through statute and regulation.
States with Active Efforts
States currently working toward clarifying or expanding collaborative practice.
Tennessee
Montana
Legislative or regulatory efforts are underway to expand access and clarity.
States with Established Pathways
States where language supports collaboration between veterinarians and physical therapists.
Colorado
Nevada
Nebraska
Utah
New Hampshire
Clear statutory or regulatory language supports collaborative practice.
Use the resources above to support collaborative care efforts in your state.
Collaborative Care Across the Professional Community
Collaborative animal rehabilitation is supported by leading organizations across physical therapy and veterinary medicine.
The Pet Pro Path.
Move through the full ecosystem of animal rehabilitation tools.
Learn. Do. Educate.
