Physical therapy is most commonly associated with helping people recover from conditions that affect their movement and physical function, yet many of the same rehabilitation principles can also be adapted to support animals dealing with injuries, chronic pain, neurological impairments, and other mobility-related problems.
However, as you can imagine, becoming an animal physical therapist requires completing the education, clinical training, examination, and licensing process required for regular physical therapy before pursuing additional advanced training focused on animal rehabilitation.
In the sections below, we will explore the professional role of these practitioners in more detail, explain how to become an animal physical therapist, and outline the education, clinical training, licensing, and certification steps involved in the process.
Understanding Animal Physical Therapists and Their Role
Animal physical therapists are licensed physical therapy professionals who use their knowledge of movement, biomechanics, and rehabilitation to help animals recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve their overall physical function.
Rather than treating human patients, these professionals adapt physical therapy principles and techniques to the anatomy, movement patterns, and rehabilitation needs of animals.
When treating an animal, the therapist starts by assessing its mobility, strength, range of motion, balance, and functional limitations and develops an individualized rehabilitation plan. Depending on its condition, the plan may incorporate therapeutic exercises, massage, joint mobilization, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, and other techniques designed to reduce pain and restore or improve movement.
As the treatment progresses, the therapist will monitor how the animal responds to rehabilitation and adjust the plan when necessary. What’s more, animal PTs may also work with owners or handlers to explain exercises and activities that can be carried out between treatment sessions, and help reinforce the rehabilitation program outside the clinical environment.
Given the limitations of their professional expertise, we should point out that animal physical therapists often collaborate with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other professionals, particularly when an animal needs a medical diagnosis, referral, or ongoing veterinary oversight.
Animal physical therapists are mainly educated and trained as human healthcare professionals, and their preparation for treating animals only comes as an additional specialization, which means veterinary professionals play a vital role in rehabilitating an animal.
Animal Physical Therapists vs Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapists
In addition to animal physical therapists, another similar professional that can provide rehabilitation services to animals is a veterinary rehabilitation therapist.
And even though these two roles may perform similar types of rehabilitative care, they enter the field through completely different educational pathways. This means that veterinary rehabilitation therapists are the professionals who are more broadly qualified to provide medical care to animals.
While animal physical therapists practice animal physical therapy as an extension of their physical therapy expertise, veterinary rehabilitation therapists hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and practice as licensed veterinarians before specializing in rehabilitation.
As a result, veterinary rehabilitation therapists can diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, and provide other forms of veterinary treatment in addition to rehabilitation services. Animal PTs, on the other hand, have a more limited scope centered on movement, mobility, and physical function.
What’s more, the two professions operate under different regulatory frameworks. While animal PTs are governed by physical therapy laws and licensing requirements, veterinary rehabilitation therapists practice under the veterinary regulations enforced by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Animals That Can Benefit From Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be adapted to treat a wide range of animals who experience injuries, mobility limitations, chronic pain, and other conditions that affect their physical function.
While dogs and horses were among the first animals to receive rehabilitative care, and fields such as canine rehabilitation and canine sports medicine became increasingly recognized in the US by the 1990s, nowadays, physical therapy techniques are used with many different animal species.
For example, rehabilitation may be used with cats that recover from injuries or surgery, bunnies with conditions like torticollis, and birds with injuries that affect their wings or legs.
Naturally, the methods and techniques used in animal physical therapy depend on the species being treated and their condition. While manual techniques like massage and joint mobilization may be suitable for treating cats and smaller animals, underwater treadmills are more suitable for canines and horses.
To sum it all up, animal physical therapy has evolved over the years and can now be adapted to support a much broader range of species and rehabilitation needs.
Becoming an Animal Physical Therapist: Key Qualifications
Now that we know more about the professional role of animal physical therapists and the different animals they may treat, we can take a quick look at the main qualifications required to enter this specialized area of physical therapy.
To become eligible for professional practice, aspiring animal physical therapists must meet the following qualification criteria:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and complete the prerequisite coursework required for admission into a DPT program
- Graduate from an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- Achieve a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination
- Secure a state-issued physical therapist license
- Pursue specialized education in animal anatomy, biomechanics, and rehabilitation
- Undergo supervised clinical experience working directly with animals
- Obtain an animal rehabilitation certification, such as the CCRT or CCRP
- Satisfy the authorization requirements for providing animal physical therapy in the state where you intend to practice
In other words, aspiring animal physical therapists need to meet the standard requirements for becoming a physical therapist first, and then pursue additional training and credentials specifically for working with animals.
How to Become an Animal Physical Therapist: Step-by-Step Guide
Having outlined the core qualifications, we can now move on to the practical segment of our guide and walk you through the entire process of becoming an animal physical therapist.
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program and the DPT Prerequisites
The first step toward becoming an animal physical therapist is to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university.
While aspiring animal physical therapists are not required to enroll in any specific veterinary programs or major in a specific subject, they do need to complete the prerequisite coursework required for admission into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Considering that individual DPT programs establish their own specific admission criteria, the exact prerequisite requirements may vary among institutions, but they generally include subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics.
During their undergraduate studies, therapist students build the scientific foundation they will later rely on during their professional physical therapy education.
Their coursework helps them develop a stronger understanding of the human body, movement, biological processes, and the scientific principles behind health and rehabilitation, while also preparing them for the more advanced material they will encounter in a DPT program.
Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
After completing their undergraduate education and satisfying the necessary prerequisites, aspiring animal physical therapists can apply to Doctor of Physical Therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Most DPT programs typically take around three years to complete, and many of them organize their curricula across eight or nine consecutive semesters, including summer terms. According to CAPTE’s 2024 aggregate data, the average professional program requires around 117.5 semester credits and lasts approximately 123 weeks.
During their time as graduate students, aspiring animal physical therapists receive a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory training, and practical clinical education.
Some of the key areas that DPT students receive lessons in include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and neuroscience. In addition, through the laboratory training, they also get a chance to apply this knowledge in practical settings.
By the time they finish graduate school, DPT students should have developed the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to evaluate patients, identify movement and functional limitations, and provide appropriate physical therapy interventions.
Fulfill the Clinical Education Requirements
In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, DPT students must also complete supervised clinical education as part of their professional degree program.
During these supervised clinical placements, students work in real healthcare settings under the supervision of licensed physical therapists and treat patients with different conditions and functional limitations.
Depending on the program, clinical education may take place in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, and other physical therapy settings.
As their training progresses, students gradually take on greater responsibility for evaluating patients, planning treatments, providing therapeutic interventions, documenting care, and monitoring patient progress.
By completing these clinical requirements, future physical therapists gain the hands-on experience needed to move from academic training into independent professional practice.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
Once they complete their DPT education and clinical requirements, graduates can move on to the examination stage of the qualification process. It involves them taking the National Physical Therapy Examination, commonly abbreviated as the NPTE.
The exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and is designed to assess whether candidates have the knowledge and competencies required for safe, entry-level physical therapy practice.
It tests candidates across several relevant areas, including examination and evaluation, diagnosis and prognosis, interventions, safety and protection, and professional responsibilities.
We should point out that in addition to passing the NPTE, candidates in some states may also need to complete a state-specific jurisprudence or laws and rules examination. These assessments are designed to test their knowledge of the statutes and regulations governing physical therapy practice in the jurisdiction where they intend to become licensed.
Obtain a Physical Therapist License
Passing the required examinations brings candidates to the final stage of qualifying for professional physical therapy practice, in which they apply for a professional physical therapist license.
Even though securing a physical therapy license is mandatory for practicing in a professional capacity, the exact application requirements can vary from one state to another.
In most cases, though, candidates need to submit an application, provide evidence of their DPT education and passing NPTE score, and pay the applicable licensing fees. Depending on the state, they may also need to undergo a criminal background check or satisfy other state-specific requirements.
Once the licensing board reviews the application and verifies that all requirements have been met, the candidate will receive their license and be granted authorization to practice PT as a professional.
Start Working as a Licensed Physical Therapist
With their professional license secured, newly qualified physical therapists can begin working with human patients and start gaining practical experience in the profession.
And even though having some prior work experience is not necessarily a universal requirement for entering animal rehabilitation training, spending time in professional practice can help physical therapists strengthen the clinical skills they will later adapt to animal patients.
In particular, treating people with musculoskeletal, neurological, postoperative, and mobility-related conditions can give them more experience with patient assessment, rehabilitation planning, therapeutic exercise, manual techniques, and progress monitoring.
As they become more confident in applying these skills independently, licensed physical therapists can begin looking into the additional education required to transfer their rehabilitation expertise from human patients to animals.
Pursue Specialized Education in Animal Rehabilitation
Once they have gained some experience working in human physical therapy, licensed professionals can begin pursuing specialized postgraduate education in animal rehabilitation.
Rather than earning another academic degree, to receive this specialized training, PTs need to enroll in a professional certificate program offered by institutions that specialize in veterinary rehabilitation.
These programs are specifically designed to help professionals who are already qualified to practice physical therapy develop the additional skills needed to work as an animal rehabilitation therapist. Enrolling in them typically requires applicants to provide proof of their degree and professional license.
The training offered by these programs combines theoretical instruction with hands-on practical learning. For example, the Canine Rehabilitation Institute offers a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist program which includes about 30 hours of online study followed by nine days of in-person instruction.
On the other hand, the University of Tennessee’s Canine Rehabilitation Certificate program begins with roughly 35 hours of online coursework before students attend a 40-hour hands-on laboratory.
Regardless of which program they choose, physical therapists use this training to learn how to adapt the rehabilitation knowledge and techniques they already possess to the anatomy, movement, and treatment needs of animal patients.
Undergo Supervised Clinical Practice Working With Animals
After finishing the instructional and laboratory portions of their certificate programs, physical therapists can move on to their supervised clinical components.
Unlike the hands-on classes described above, this part of the program places candidates in an actual rehabilitation setting, where they work with animal patients under the guidance of experienced professionals. This gives them an opportunity to observe evaluations, participate in treatment planning, and apply the techniques they learned during their coursework to real clinical cases.
For example, the Canine Rehabilitation Institute requires CCRT candidates to complete a 40-hour internship at a preapproved rehabilitation facility, while the CCRP program offered by the University of Tennessee includes a 40-hour clinical practicum.
By completing this supervised practice, physical therapists can strengthen their ability to assess animal patients, apply appropriate rehabilitation techniques, and manage treatment before moving on to the remaining certification requirements.
Earn an Animal Rehabilitation Certification
In addition to completing the educational and supervised clinical components of their certification programs, candidates may also need to satisfy final certification requirements before receiving the corresponding animal rehabilitation credential.
Naturally, each certification provider establishes its own completion criteria, so candidates pursuing the CCRT and CCRP credentials face slightly different final requirements.
For CCRT candidates, the 40-hour internship represents the final component of the certification pathway, while candidates pursuing the University of Tennessee’s CCRP credential must also complete five case evaluations and pass a written and practical/oral examination.
Once the candidates meet all of the program’s completion criteria, they can receive the corresponding CCRT or CCRP credential and formally demonstrate their specialized preparation in animal rehabilitation.
Secure State Authorization to Practice Animal Physical Therapy
The moment they secure their animal rehabilitation credential, PTs can relish the fact that they have completed the entire educational and certification process of becoming an animal physical therapist.
However, before they can begin treating animal patients professionally, they still need to make sure that state law actually allows them to provide animal physical therapy and determine under what conditions they may do so.
Unlike human physical therapy licensure, the legal requirements for treating animals are not standardized across the country. Some states specifically regulate animal physical therapy, while others address it primarily through their veterinary practice laws and may require additional certification, veterinary referral, supervision, or another form of professional authorization.
For example, New Hampshire requires physical therapists who work with animals to hold the appropriate animal physical therapy certification and receive a referral from a licensed veterinarian before providing treatment. Nebraska follows a different model, requiring qualified healthcare professionals to obtain an animal therapist license and provide treatment based on a veterinary diagnosis and referral.
For this reason, prospective animal physical therapists need to review both the physical therapy and veterinary practice laws in the state where they intend to work and complete any additional licensing, referral, supervision, or reporting requirements before they begin treating animal patients independently.
Final Words
Animal physical therapy sits at the intersection of conventional rehabilitation and veterinary care, giving licensed PTs an opportunity to apply their existing clinical expertise in an entirely different patient population. As such, it represents a distinctive specialization within the broader physical therapy profession.
Becoming an animal physical therapist is a demanding process that requires substantial professional preparation and additional specialization beyond conventional physical therapy practice. For professionals who enjoy both rehabilitation and working with animals, this specialization can offer a rewarding direction for their physical therapy career.
Common Questions Answered
Do I need to be licensed to work as an animal physical therapist?
Yes, animal physical therapists generally need to hold a valid physical therapist license before they can begin working with animal patients. However, licensure is not the only requirement they need to meet to become eligible for practice.
In addition to PT licensure, the exact requirements professionals must meet before they can treat animals depend on the state where they intend to practice. Some jurisdictions may require animal rehabilitation certification, veterinary referral or supervision, or a separate form of authorization before a physical therapist can provide rehabilitation services to animals.
For this reason, professionals should review the applicable physical therapy and veterinary regulations in their state before beginning practice.
What is the best degree for animal physical therapy?
The best degree for becoming an animal physical therapist is the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, as this is the educational requirement aspiring professionals need to meet to qualify for physical therapist licensure.
Once they earn their DPT and obtain a physical therapist license, they can move beyond general physical therapy training and pursue additional postgraduate education in animal rehabilitation.
From there, specialized certificate programs can provide the animal-specific knowledge and practical preparation needed to work with animal patients.
How long does it take to become an animal physical therapist?
Becoming an animal physical therapist can take between seven and eight years from the beginning of undergraduate education, assuming the candidate moves through the qualification process without taking extended breaks.
Around four years are typically spent completing a bachelor’s degree, followed by approximately three years in a DPT program. Passing the NPTE, obtaining a physical therapist license, and completing the additional coursework, hands-on training, supervised clinical practice, and certification requirements in animal rehabilitation can add several more months.
Professionals who choose to gain substantial experience in human physical therapy before specializing may take longer.
Can physical therapist assistants work in animal rehabilitation?
Yes, a physical therapist assistant can work in animal rehabilitation as long as they complete the additional training required for this type of practice. This includes completing the required rehabilitation coursework and supervised clinical training.
However, just like when working with human patients, assistant physical therapists must work under the professional supervision of a licensed physical therapist rather than practicing independently, regardless of whether they are treating animals or humans.