HB 761 -- Animal Physical Therapists

Sponsor:  Cunningham (86)

This bill contains provisions relating to animal physical
therapists and veterinarians.  The bill:

(1)  Prohibits veterinarians from making referrals for physical
therapy services for animals to any entity in which the
veterinarian, their employer, or immediate family member has a
financial relationship;

(2)  Prohibits remuneration for referrals to veterinarians by
entities providing physical therapy services for animals;

(3)  Allows animal physical therapists to provide education,
training, fitness, and wellness services to animals without a
prescription or direction of a veterinarian, providing they are
acting within their scope of practice;

(4)  Proscribes animal physical therapists from initiating
treatment for new illnesses or injuries;

(5)  Allows animal physical therapists to examine and treat
animals with recurring injuries or chronic illnesses within a one
year period of the prescription by a veterinarian.  Animal
physical therapists are required to contact the animal's current
veterinarian within seven days of initiating treatment;

(6)  Requires animal physical therapists to refer animals which
are not responding to treatment to a veterinarian; and

(7)  Authorizes animal physical therapists to delegate treatments
through an animal physical therapist assistant if the prescribing
veterinarian is notified.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am