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Welcome to the Animal Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Service website!
This site offers information to animal health professionals and owners about animal physiotherapy and rehabilitation. It is important to note that this website does not aim to replace a veterinary consultation under any circumstance. Seeking veterinary advice should always be the first step if an animal is suspected of having any disorder or disease.
You will find information regarding
Animal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Common Orthopaedic, Neurological and Congenital Conditions in small and large animals
Lameness - Osteoarthritis - Dysplasia (hip and elbow) - Femoral Head and Neck Excision Arthroplasty - Elbow Dysplasia - Patellar Luxation - Joint Contracture - Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Rupture - Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) - Fractures and Avulsions - Osteomyelitis - Congenital Developmental Disease - Wounds & Contusions - Tendon & Ligament Sprains - Muscle Strains, Tears, Ruptures, Contractures
Spinal Cord Injuries - Disc Protrusion/Prolapse - Vertebral Malformation - Obesity - Cardiac Conditions - Respiratory Conditions
Bedding
Harness & Lead
Diversional Toys
Fitness Products
Assistive Devices/ Aids
Exercise - Agility - Flyball - Obedience - Swimming - Musical Freestyle - Cycling - Mushing
About Animal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Animal physiotherapy is an evidence-based health profession concerned with the assessment and treatment of disability from disease and injury and performance/functional problems. It is based upon the principles of medical sciences, and is held to be within the sphere of conventional medicine, rather than alternative. The aim of physiotherapy intervention is to limit impact of injury and disease processes, optimize healing potential and accelerate return to function and/or performance. Click to watch videos of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Animal Physiotherapists are qualified and registered Physiotherapists, who have a special interest and ability to assess and treat animals as well as humans. Many Animal Physiotherapists have a post graduate degree relating specifically to transferring knowledge from the human field to canine and equine practice (Masters in Animal Studies, Animal Physiotherapy). Animal Physiotherapists are highly skilled at assessing animals’ musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems, but we are not Veterinarians and are not the first point of contact if an animal has a health problem. Animals must see their Veterinarians first to receive a referral.
Animals must have a referral from their veterinarian for physiotherapy assessment and treatment. This is an agreement between the Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and aids in safeguarding animals' healthcare. In some cases, Veterinarians are happy to give a referral without charging providing they know the animal and its condition well.
Which animals can receive physiotherapy
An Animal Physiotherapist may be able to offer help with any domestic or wild species, and commonly they treat humans too. This may be especially useful in instances where the two interface. For example; the client wants both himself/herself and his companion to lose weight or get fit, or riders' impact on their horses movement patterns and performance (but there are many more examples)
I am a qualified and registered Physiotherapist since 1996 (Batchelor of Science, Keele University, UK), Ergonomist (Master of Science and Technology, UNSW, Australia), and Animal Physiotherapist (Master of Animal Studies, UQ, Australia). I live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and work out of several Veterinary clinics and hospitals.
When working with humans, I worked as a Physiotherapist in Spinal Cord Injuries, Orthopaedics, Multi-trauma, and Head Injuries in the largest rehabilitation hospital in Norway. Later I worked for the Australian government as a Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Consultant.
In my teenage years I used to participate in obedience, agility and mushing with my Bearded Collie. I have classic schooling with horses, and primarily enjoy hacking. My husband and I have raised two guide dogs for Guide Dogs Australia, fostered kittens and puppies for the Animal Welfare League, and rescued and rehabilitated native birds and wildlife for Wildcare Australia. Needless to say; we like and care for animals. We have had almost every kind of pet; dogs, cats, horses, rats, hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, frogs, turtles, guinea pigs, birds, goats, chickens, ducks - over the past 30 years.
Contact Information
Ane Marte Bjornerem, BSc(Physiotherapy) MScTech(Ergonomics) MAnimSt(Animal Physiotherapy),
Reg. Physiotherapist, Ergonomist and Animal Physiotherapist
info@animalphysiotherapy.com.au
mob: 0402 147 602
Practice location: Gold Coast and South East Queensland
© 2008 Animal Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Service