brooke's blog

As I have taken on the Chair role of the Animal Physio Group (APG) of our Professional Body The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), we had an induction meeting last Friday in Melbourne.

I had the opportunity to meet other like minded physios from each sector. Many are not aware of the scope of our Practice. The other areas (those that work on 2 legs) include: Sports, Musculoskeletal, Aquatic, Acupuncture and Dry needling, Gerontology, Paediatrics, Neurology, Physiotherapy Business Australia, Cardiorespiratory, Continence And Women's Health. 

How lucky we are to have so many well established sectors of our Profession.  It was interesting to learn about the pathway of Physiotherapy since 1950s.  We were headed by the Medical Pracitioner's Board but had our first Physiotherapist as head of our professional body in 1972 when we became Primary Practitioners.

As such a new area of Physiotherapy, our growing profession in Australia of Animal Physiotherapy is a very interesting path.  It is just fantastic to have the support of the APA and to learn a little more about what they are doing for our profession. There have been many changes in the last few years and we now have a strategic plan for 2012-2014 to build our profession.

I learnt many techniques to help take on the role of Chair and am very grateful for the opportunity to meet all involved and feel supported in this new position. It is a very exciting time for Animal Physiotherapists in Australia and I hope the next 4 years are very productive to help continue to build our profession.

Ps Melbourne was usual Melbourne - rain, a bit of sun, rain, wind, rain.... I have 3 APA trips in the first few months of this year and I must say it seems to be the same. Saying that the 'sunny coast' needs a change of name also this year!

So after an action packed weekend at the APA conference I finished my presentations this year with one for the Vets on the sunshine coast.

This time I presented on Physiotherapy management of the Geriatric Patient.  I hope they found this talk informative including information on the latest research in human management of arthritis.  Especially managing hip/stifle arthritis, I can easily apply the research to what I see in clinical practice for my canine patients. Interestingly enough 90% of cats also suffer from Arthritis - an area that can perhaps be managed better to improve quality of life of all our 4 legged friends

My greatest challenge in managing arthritic animals is in the increasing numbers of obese dogs.  Apparently we now have 40% obesity rates in australia of dogs!! This has been shown to greatly reduce the median life span and increase the progression of arthritis.

Age is just a number. There is so much we can offer our elderly best friends to make them more comfortable and improve their stability and strength to support their joints.

If you would like to see how you can help your friend each day feel free to contact me. I love treating this age group. With such keen owners it is a very rewarding part of my work.

Cheers

We had a fantastic 3 days at the APA conference with the Animal Physiotherapy Group. This was held at the Brisbane Convention centre. What a great experience to organise such an event. I am totally exhausted but I trust that all enjoyed.  As we are a new profession it is such a great opportunity to come together, combined with animal physios from US, NZ and Australia wide to learn from such a high callibre of speakers (including Dr Bergh from Sweeden).  We managed to get 12 dogs into the Convention centre for our canine workshop (and no-one peed which was my main concern) and 13 horses on the monday at the Burpengary Equestrian centre.  Breakfast sponsored by Regeneus and our international speaker by Merial made our program complete.

I would like to thank the committee who helped me throughout the year make this possible. It only comes every 2 years so I soaked up all days we had on offer.

Some pictures of our days....

Cheers

I have been working hard this year planning for the Animal Physiotherapy section of the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) conference.  It is finally coming around and is being held this weekend at the Brisbane Convention Centre.  This process has been a great experience (whilst very time consuming) and I am grateful to have been given this opportunity.

I am very excited with the program which incorporates a breakfast (sponsored by Regeneus for Stem Cell Therapy); Advanced Canine and Equine workshops with our international Invited Speaker Dr Anna Bergh (Sponsored by Merial) and 2 day program of lectures including invited speakers (Vets and Animal Physiotherapists).

To have such a high callibre of speakers over these days I hope it will be enjoyed by all.  As we are part of such a new profession we all enjoy getting together to share experiences working with animals and continue to develop our profession with the APA.

Thanks to the committee who have helped me throughout the year to put this event together. I hope it goes well!

If you would like more information about this event visit: www.physiotherapy.asn.au

Cheers

I finished off my last presentation to the UQ Japanese students this week.  My Missie stole the show again. She has co-presented with me for the last few years. Now that she has had her spinal injury this year, she was a good case to show her unusual gait pattern, posture and stability to the students.  We educated them about Animal Physiotherapy, safe handling, the basics of gentle massage and stretches. I reinforced the importance to observe the body language of the dogs to ensure they don't get bitten, whilst ensuring the dog gains the most benefit out of treatment.

I am not sure I enjoy the drive to Brisbane any more but I really enjoyed presenting to these groups again this year.  Hopefully Missie will be able to join me again next year!

Cheers

As part of our Seminar series to Sunshine coast Vets and Vet Nurses our team had an information evening on Geriatric patients.  

I presented on the benefits of Physiotherapy in managing Arthritis in the dog.  It is great to increase awareness to Vet nurses who see dogs all day to identify those who could benefit from Physiotherapy and advice/home program for their clients.  Age is no excuse and I find the geriatric dog very rewarding to treat.  A little bit of advice and management at home can greatly increase the quality of life for these dogs.

This is my new idol!! 

It has been a very interesting and rewarding Month

Through May I have travelled as part of the NCVS (North Coast Veterinary Specialist) team on our conference series. We started in Mooloolaba then headed to Mackay and Hervey Bay to educate Vets and Vet nurses.  This year my topic was Cruciate Ligament Injury in the Dog - the most common cause of lameness in the dog.  It was great to visit these areas and be part of such a great team to continue our education series.  I trust this was well received and was very grateful to be part of such a highly skilled and motivated team.

I also had a meeting in Melbourne with the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) as part of the committee for the Animal Physiotherapy Group (APG).  We have been discussing many professional issues.  Animal Physiotherapy is a new profession in Australia.  We are working with our professional body to continue our educational pathway.  At this stage the Masters Program I completed is not running so we are working establishing our training program once again.

For over 2 years now I have also been trying to work with the Pet Insurance companies to include Physiotherapy as part of their insurance package to their clients.  In human health care Physiotherapy is vital and well established for rehabilitation, conservative management to prevent surgery and further recurrence of injures, and maximise quality of life.  I strongly believe that this model applies to our Pets in Australia.  The APA is also helping me to establish this for our profession.  Hopefully we will have some success to greatly enhance the opportunities for rehabilitation for our pets.

So it has been a very interesting and rewarding month.  Off for a surf in the morning to breathe a little!!

I have almost completed the program for the upcoming APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) Conference in October for Animal Physiotherapy.   This is a very large event held every 2 years for Physiotherapy in Australia and will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre this year.
I have been organising the Animal Physiotherapy Group and I am very excited about the highest level of International and National Physiotherapists and Veterinarians we have presenting this year. It has been a great learning process for me to plan this event.  It is shaping up to be a fantastic conference with sponsorship from Merial and Regeneus (Stem/Adicell) to support our International Speaker Dr Anna Bergh from Sweden, a Breakfast and workshops for Canine and Equine Physiotherapy techniques.

Thanks to all those who have been involved helping on the committee. 
For more information feel free to visit the APA website: www.physiotherapy.asn.au

It was great to continue our conference series through Qld with NCVS.  As a team we flew to Mackay on the weekend to present to vets and vet nurses. In these more remote communities it is always great to be involved with continued education.  I presented to these 2 groups on Physiotherapy and Cruciate Ligament injury in the dog.  I hope they gained a greater understanding for more specific rehabilitation options for their clients with this most common orthopaedic injury.
I look forward to the next one of the series in June in Hervey Bay.

Brooke

NCVS had another successful start to the conference series for Vets and Vet nurses  this year.  We started at Mooloolaba yesterday and will head up to Mackay and Hervey Bay over the next few months.  This is a great way for the team at NCVS to thank all our referrers and provide an open learning opportunity for all.  I trust everyone enjoyed the day, especially lunch out in the sun overlooking the water.

This year I presented on Physiotherapy and Cruciate Ligament Injury.  Cruciate Ligamant injury is the most common cause of lameness and orthopaedic injury in the Dog.  There have been many advances in human literature and veterinary technology in treating this condition.  Therefore I was grateful to be given the opportunity to explain to the Vets and nurses the benefits of Physiotherapy pre/post op or for conservative management and what this involves over their 6-12 month recovery.

I hope everyone enjoyed this day. I always leave these days feeling very proud to be part of such an incredible team at NCVS.
Thanks to Janelle for organising this successful day
Brooke.