Understanding the Veterinary Ecosystem: Integrating Physical Therapists Into Animal Care Teams

Join us for this session in the Animal PT Webinar Series, hosted by Sasha Foster, PT, MS, President of the Animal PT SIG (https://sashaafoster.com), with special guests Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Dr. Ilana Struble, MA, DVM, CVSMT, CCRT, CVAT (www.awelladjustedpet.com), respected leaders in veterinary orthopedics, sports medicine, and animal rehabilitation.

This conversation gives physical therapists a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how veterinary clinics truly operate and what it takes to successfully integrate into the veterinary care team. The panel discusses real-world collaboration between PTs and veterinarians, diagnostic challenges in animal medicine, and the skills PTs need to build credibility, confidence, and trust in the veterinary ecosystem.

You’ll hear practical insights from experienced clinicians on communication, clinical reasoning, and navigating referrals while keeping the pet’s best interest at the center of care.

What You’ll Learn:
✓ How veterinary clinics function day to day
✓ What veterinarians expect from physical therapists
✓ How to communicate effectively with veterinarians and specialists
✓ Why diagnoses may change and how PTs should respond
✓ Ways to build trust, confidence, and long-term collaboration in animal practice

Target Audience:
Physical therapists, animal physical therapists, veterinary rehabilitation professionals, PT students, animal rehab clinicians, sports medicine PTs, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, animal rehab educators

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Timestamps:
00:55 Speaker introductions and professional backgrounds
04:40 How veterinary clinics operate and referral pathways
10:15 Working with animals: handling skills and behavior considerations
16:45 Collaborating with trainers, sports professionals, and veterinarians
22:30 PT strengths in conditioning, progression, and movement science
28:10 Speaking the veterinary language: ortho and neuro fundamentals
35:05 Developing manual therapy skills in animals and building reps
41:20 Legal, ethical pathways to gain experience in animal PT
47:50 When a diagnosis may be wrong: assessment, red flags, and referrals
53:05 Communicating with veterinarians without “throwing them under the bus”

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