Animal Physical Therapists

Employers

APTs are employed in veterinary hospitals or at clinics that have a rehabilitation practice. Others treat patients at their own therapy facility, while still others works at zoos, aquaria, and wildlife parks. The Department of Labor reports there are about 240,820 physical therapists and 78,220 veterinarians working in the United States, professions that relate most closely to those of animal physical therapists. The states with the highest employment level of veterinarians are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Starting Out

The majority of APTs start out as veterinarians or physical therapists and gradually—through training and experience—begin treating animals. Some people first work as veterinary technicians or physical therapist assistants, and then receive extensive training to prepare for the field. But those who pursue this entry route may not be considered full-fledged therapists, and may be more commonly known as therapy assistants.

Aspiring physical therapists can learn about job openings via job boards provided by professional associations, by checking out employment listings at LinkedIn and other professional networking sites, by looking into opportunities for full-time positions while participating in internships or clinical experiences, and by contacting employers directly about job openings.