When it comes to choosing a practitioner to care for the four-legged members of your family, it can be quite overwhelming where to look and who you can trust. Would you trust somebody with the care of your beloved pet after completing a 2 week online course?.......No, thought not!
Don't worry though there is help at hand, in the form of several associations which pride themselves on only representing professionals with the highest qualifications and standards in the musculoskeletal field. Since operating as a Veterinary Physiotherapist I have been governed by IRVAP ( Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Therapists) and as of March 2021 I am pleased to say that I have been accepted by RAMP (The Register of Animal and Musculoskeletal Practitioners) as a member of their register.
Who is RAMP and what do they do?
Ramp is a voluntary, independent, and not for profit register of professionals in the musculoskeletal field, who sign up to take responsibility to attain and maintain gold standards of practice in musculoskeletal treatment. The register is designed to help veterinary surgeons and animal owners choose competent professionals providing Chiropractic, Osteopathic and physiotherapy techniques for treatments in animals. The Ramp register offers veterinary surgeons the reassurance they need to safely refer to, an/or work closely with registered musculoskeletal practitioners.
Gold Standard
All professionals registered with RAMP demonstrate high standards of proficiency and professionalism, equivalent to the demands of the statutory regulatory bodies governing Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Physiotherapy in the human domain. This means that you can be confident that your animal should receive the same level of care as you would yourself.
Code of Conduct
When registering with RAMP, practitioners also declare their adherence to the code of conduct. Ramp registered practitioners must, work within their scope of practice, comply with annual CPD requirements and have appropriate insurance.
RAMP’S two fundamental principles
All animals should get the best treatment possible. They should have access to musculoskeletal therapy when appropriate. Practitioners should be highly skilled in the techniques they utilise. No therapy should be detrimental to their health or welfare.
All treatment should be legal and chosen with fully informed consent. Vets should feel confident in referring to RAMP registered practitioners. Animal owners should feel confident in the work of RAMP registered practitioners. Clear communication can be maintained between all professionals and the owner to make the best decisions for the animal’s care.
What does this mean for you, the owner?
This means that as an owner you can be confident in my knowledge and experience of treating animals with a range of physiotherapy modalities; whilst ensuring they are treated with care, compassion and respect, and open communication with the owner and other professional occupations.
For more information on RAMP visit https://www.rampregister.org/