Physical therapists covet direct access to animals

Jefferson City, Mo.-Legislative proposals in Missouri are calling to rescind state law forcing physical therapists working on animals to practice under a veterinarian's supervision.

Just five physical therapists in the state are known to work on animals, but they say having to hire a veterinarian to watch over their operations prices them out of business. HB 837 and its companion, SB 1400, if passed, would relieve them of the supervision mandate, but veterinary leaders claim deregulation is an irresponsible idea.

Without DVM supervision, physical therapists would have no oversight other than a proposed autonomous advisory group loosely connected to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board, says Richard Antweiler, executive director of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).

"That doesn't go far enough," he says. "Communication between the veterinarian and the physical therapist ensures the consumer there is good animal care being practiced. By definition, physical therapists are only licensed to practice on humans. The public needs to be protected."

Veterinarians are fighting to keep the bills from surfacing for a vote. If the measures fail to gain passage before the legislative session closes this month, they will die. But that doesn't mean the bills won't resurface next year, Antweiler says.

A fallback

In the meantime, MVMA leaders have countered with their own bill in case the physical therapists' language makes it to the legislative floor for a vote. The MVMA measure fails to rescind HB 837 or SB 1400, working more as an amendment by granting the veterinary medical board additional oversight and disciplinary power regarding the lay group. Physical therapists would formally be known as animal rehabilitation therapists and be required to register with the board.

The measure will only be introduced if necessary, Antweiler says.

"We would really not want to change the current law," he says. "But according to a survey of our members, they say its best to work with the issue and try to amend it. It's a substitute that's waiting on the sidelines, and I hope we don't have to use it."