After a year of planning (thanks so much to the scientific committee for the animal physio group!!) the APA Conference was a big success.
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We had an exciting program with the Animal Physiotherapy Group at the APA conference this year. Our chosen theme, to fit with the ‘New Moves’, was ‘The Sporting Animal’.
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The presenters’ depth of knowledge across professions was outstanding. We had a wide variety of veterinary surgeons, animal physiotherapists, and a fantastic cross over with human sports physiotherapists discussing the equine and canine species and rehabilitation. We were happy to see much interest from other human physiotherapists in our presentations and enjoyed the opportunity to share a session with the sports group. Human physiotherapist, Victoria Kahn, presented on the Integration of sports science/sports medicine and coaching in high performance equestrian sport.
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We would like to thank Kinesio Taping for their insightful and enthusiastic breakfast session presented by Thuy Bridges on ‘Humans to animals: Kinesio Taping and its Applications’. Unfortunately we were not able to have furry four-legged clients enter the convention centre this year but appreciated the two-legged (less hairy) participants being involved in the practical demonstrations.
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Professor Cathy McGowan, our International Keynote speaker, is an inspiring and incredibly supportive advocate of our emerging profession as a Veterinarian. She is a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and an RCVS recognised specialist in equine internal medicine. Cathy has been involved in post-graduate Master’s level education for Physiotherapists since 1999 when she developed the Royal Veterinary College Masters and Post Graduate Diploma programs in Veterinary Physiotherapy, which commenced in 2000. She also developed the Animal Physiotherapy MSc program for Physiotherapists at UQ and is currently at the University of Liverpool with a new online postgraduate PGDip/MSc program in Veterinary Physiotherapy.
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At the University of Melbourne Equine Centre the animal physiotherapy group held their pre-conference workshop, with the topic “The Equine Athlete – Neurological Examination and Imaging – Animal Physiotherapy”. It was great to have such a knowledgeable presenter with an understanding of both professions. Professor McGowan presented an endless number of neurological cases from a veterinary perspective and updated colleagues on current research from the US in this field. To be outside the lecture room was refreshing and participants had the opportunity to see a demonstration of diagnostic ultrasound of the horse, relevant to that research.
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We were proud to have an international speaker of such calibre. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor McGowan for her commitment to our profession and gracing us with her knowledge.
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nI would like to congratulate Annette Bowen for her achievement as best new presenter of the Animal Physiotherapy Group at the APA conference.
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Thanks again for all the assistance. I would like to thank Darren for his continual support through the planning stages and looking after our little Eli on his first trip to the big smoke. It was a different conference for me with many hats going on and off over the few days.!
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