Animal Health Professions Register

What is AHPR?

Type: A voluntary register, meaning it is not mandated by law but is an industry-led initiative.

Established by: Organisations within the animal health and rehabilitation sectors, such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and sports therapy, to enhance professional standards, increase transparency, and serve as a reference for animal owners and veterinary surgeons.

Composition of the Register and Sub-Groups

The AHPR encompasses a variety of allied animal health professions. To be included in the register, practitioners are required to meet specific qualification and professional standards. The subgroups comprise:

Animal/Veterinary Physiotherapy

Animal Chiropractic and Manipulation

Animal Sports Therapy and Massage

Animal Hydrotherapy

Within these subgroups, practitioners may work with different species, such as small companion animals, equines, or farm animals, based on their training and expertise.

AHPR Requirements and Standards

Becoming a member or being listed on the AHPR signifies that the practitioner has met specific criteria, including:

1. Training and Qualifications

   Completion of an externally accredited course is necessary for direct entry.

   
   

   Alternatively, Recognition of Prior Learning or Experiential Learning (RPL/RPEL) is required if the qualification is not accredited or is outdated. Courses are evaluated to ensure they meet the AHPR "Day One Competencies" for the relevant subgroup.

   
   

2. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

   Registrants are required to maintain CPD, and audits may be conducted to ensure compliance.

   
   

3. Professional Indemnity and Liability Insurance

   This is a mandatory requirement for membership, ensuring accountability and providing protection in case of any issues.

   
   

4. Veterinary Oversight or Referral for Musculoskeletal Treatments

   Practitioners treating the musculoskeletal system of animals must do so only with veterinary referral, permission, or the knowledge of the consulting veterinary surgeon.

   
   

   This requirement ensures veterinary supervision and legal compliance.

   
   

5. Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Reasoning

   Treatments must be grounded in demonstrable benefits, measurable outcomes, best practices, and scientific reasoning.

AHPR's Functions and Offerings

Register/Directory: AHPR provides a comprehensive register for animal owners and veterinarians to locate local practitioners who meet established standards.

Course Accreditation: AHPR accredits educational programs, enabling graduates to apply for direct entry if the courses fulfil the necessary criteria.

Recognition of Practitioners' Qualifications/Experience: Practitioners who qualified before a course received approval or through an unaccredited pathway may undergo assessment via RPL/RPEL to determine if they meet the required competencies.

Public and Veterinary Awareness: AHPR actively promotes awareness among animal owners and veterinarians regarding the qualifications of practitioners. They also engage with insurance companies, veterinary organizations, and regulatory bodies to enhance recognition.

Advantages for Pet Owners and Veterinarians

For Pet Owners:

Provides a reliable platform to locate practitioners who are qualified, insured, and adhere to professional standards.

Enhances transparency: allows you to view where your practitioner received training, the species they specialise in, the modalities or subgroups they are associated with, and more.

Minimises risk: professionals listed on AHPR are more inclined to comply with legal, ethical, and evidence-based practices.

For Veterinarians / Referring Vets:

AHPR provides veterinarians with confidence when delegating or referring animals for treatment, ensuring that the therapist is appropriately trained and insured.

It assists in meeting legal and regulatory expectations, particularly under the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015, which imposes restrictions on non-veterinary medical animal treatments. AHPR mandates that practitioners adhere to these regulations.

Facilitates recommendations or collaborations with allied animal health practitioners by standardising expectations through the register.

Considerations and Limitations

Voluntary Registration: The AHPR operates on a voluntary basis and does not possess statutory regulatory authority. This means individuals may offer services outside of AHPR's framework. While AHPR registration enhances the standard of service, it does not guarantee flawless outcomes.

Scope of Practice: Registration in a specific subgroup does not imply proficiency across all treatments, species, or levels of severity. It is important to inquire about specific experience relevant to your needs.

Cost and Availability: Availability of AHPR members may be limited in certain regions, and some modalities may incur higher costs.

Variability in Evidence Base: The level of research support for different therapies can vary, particularly for newer modalities. AHPR mandates demonstrable and observable benefits, though this does not necessarily equate to the existence of high-quality randomised controlled trials for every application.