The Muddling Minefield of Animal Therapy Acronyms !

Having found myself with a little time on my hands I decided to delve into the muddling minefield of animal therapy acronyms.
If I find it confusing as a qualified therapist I'm sure it must cause a small amount of head scratching within the general animal owning public.
This blog is just going to cover the associations and accreditation bodies animal therapists can be registered to, allowing them to use many differing acronyms. Some will only allow highly qualified , insured professionals who complete annual CPD (continuing professional development). Others are just an off shoot of a particular training association.

This is a fairly comprehensive list .


IRVAP- The Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists
- Any animal therapy modality can join with level 6 training
- CPD (continuing professional development) 25 hours min per year
- Cost - £80 per year


IAAMT- International Association of Animal Therapists
- Chiefly graduates of Equissage certificate Program


IAAMB- International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork
- Forum for animal massage and bodywork professionals
- Cost £95 per year


RAMP- Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners
- Register for Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists
- Appropriately qualified in those fields
- Annual CPD required
- Appropriate insurance


IAAT- International Association of Animal Therapists
- International group of therapists working under veterinary referral
- Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Manipulation, Massage, Hydrotherapy
- Annual CPD
- Cost £75 +Vat


ACAT- Association of Complimentary Animal Therapies
- Endorsed by ICAT (Institute of Complimentary Animal Therapies)
- Provide references, proof of certificate and insurance to join
- Cost £60


ACPAT- The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy
- Chartered Human Physiotherapists who have trained in animal Physiotherapy
- Directory of animal physiotherapists


ASSVAP- Association for the scientific study in Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapy


NAVP- National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists
- Directory of Veterinary Physiotherapists
- Appropriately qualified, insured and working with veterinary approval


NAREMT- National Association of Registered Equine Massage Therapists
- NAREMT Practitioners and others that meet guidelines can join
- Code of conduct- veterinary approval adhered to
- Cost £50