172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 182, § 004

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 172-182-004 - TRAINING STANDARDS

All animal therapists must have a qualifying license to pursue an animal therapist license and meet the training standards in this chapter.

004.01STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL PROFESSIONS. In addition to meeting the requirements for the specified health care profession and this chapter, to be acceptable for licensure, a training program must be approved by the Board, meet the requirements for the specific professions listed in this chapter, and meet the following criteria:

(A) The topic or objectives must relate directly to the practice of animal therapy in the specified health care profession;

(B) The presenter of the activity must be qualified by education, experience or training;

(C) Activities must be open to all persons who hold a Nebraska license to practice the specified health care profession on humans;

(D) If the course involves the use of distance learning formats, including, but not limited to, archived video or audio programs, webcasts, telephone broadcasts, or simultaneous broadcasts, those persons not physically attending must have substantially the same opportunity for interaction with those teaching the course as they would if physically present at the same location; and

(E) Activities must include a competency assessment or evaluation which may consist of a test, case studies, or other type of competency assessment.

004.02STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC PROFESSIONS. Applicants must meet the requirements for all professions and the following specific to their profession as listed in this chapter.

004.02(A)ACUPUNCTURE. An applicant must:

(i) Have and maintain an undisciplined license as an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, a physician, an osteopathic physician, or a physician assistant under the Uniform Credentialing Act;

(ii) Complete a training program that consists of:

(1) At least 200 hours of instruction and training in veterinary acupuncture in the following areas:

(a) Comparative functional anatomy and physiology;

(b) Handling and restraint;

(c) Zoonotic diseases; and

(d) Recordkeeping; and

(2) At least 50 hours of supervised clinical training; and

(iii) An Animal Therapist in Acupuncture is only allowed to use the following modalities:

(1) Dry needling;

(2) Electrostimulation;

(3) Moxibustion; and

(4) Laser therapy to stimulate acupuncture points.

004.02(B)CHIROPRACTIC OR VETERINARY ORTHOPEDIC MANIPULATION (VOM) A CHIROPRACTIC TECHNIQUE. An applicant must:

(i) Complete a training program that consists of:

(1) At least 210 hours of instruction or course work pertaining to animals in the following areas:

(a) Anatomy, including sacropelvic, thoracolumbar, cervical, and extremity;

(b) Anatomy laboratory;

(c) Behavior;

(d) Biomechanics and gait;

(e) Chiropractic educational basics;

(f) Chiropractic adjusting technique, including lecture and laboratory:

(i) Cervical;

(ii) Thoracic;

(iii) Lumbosacral;

(iv) Pelvic; and

(v) Extremity;

(g) Case management and case studies;

(h) Chiropractic philosophy;

(i) Differential diagnosis of neuromusculoskeletal conditions;

(j) Ethics and legalities;

(k) Knowledge of breed anomalies;

(l) Motion palpation;

(m) Neurology, neuroanatomy, and neurological conditions;

(n) Pathology;

(o) Physiology;

(p) Radiology;

(q) Research in current chiropractic and veterinary topics;

(r) Restraint;

(s) Rehabilitation, current topics, evaluation, and assessment;

(t) Normal foot anatomy and normal foot care;

(u) Saddle fit and evaluation, lecture, and laboratory;

(v) Veterinary educational basics;

(w) Vertebral subluxation complex; and

(x) Zoonotic diseases; and

(2) At least 50 hours of supervised clinical training.

004.02(C)MASSAGE THERAPY. An applicant must:

(i) Complete a training program that consists of:

(1) At least 100 hours of instruction or course work pertaining to animals in the following areas:

(a) Anatomy and physiology;

(b) Pharmacology;

(c) Study of gait and movement;

(d) Massage therapy techniques;

(e) Handling skills;

(f) Restraint; and

(g) Behavior; and

(2) At least 50 hours of in-class massage therapy clinics supervised by licensed veterinarians or licensed animal massage therapists.

004.02(D)PHYSICAL THERAPY OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. An applicant must:

(i) Have and maintain an undisciplined license as either a physical therapist or an occupational therapist under the Uniform Credentialing Act;

(ii) Complete a training program that consists of:

(1) At least 100 hours of instruction or course work pertaining to animals in the following areas:

(a) Assessment and planning of treatment;

(b) Behavior;

(c) Biomechanics;

(d) Common orthopedic and neurological conditions;

(e) Comparative anatomy and physiology;

(f) Restraint;

(g) Handling skills;

(h) Neurology; and

(i) Therapeutic modalities and exercises;

(2) At least 40 hours of supervised clinical training or internship; and

(3) A competency assessment or evaluation which may consist of a test, case studies, or other type of competency assessment.

(iii) The training program must be affiliated with an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited school or college of veterinary medicine or the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 182, § 004

Amended effective 11/1/2021