Dr. Debbie Torraca began her career in human physical therapy (PT) and specialized in orthopedics, sports medicine, and pain management. With a solid foundation in human PT, she has adapted her skills (including her expertise in the Mulligan Technique) to her work with animals. Dr. Torraca is a pioneer in the field of canine physical rehabilitation and is a core faculty member of the NC State Veterinary School’s Certified Companion Animal Therapy (CCAT) program. She also founded and heads the Certified Canine Manual Therapy (CCMT) program at UTN. Following her doctorate in Physical Therapy from UTN-Chattanooga, she transitioned to her work with animals and has been practicing canine rehabilitation for more than 25 years. Dr. Torraca has authored many chapters in veterinary textbooks and writes for professional journals and magazines dedicated to the dog enthusiast. She has been a speaker and instructor at many veterinary conferences including the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT), American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC), and Western States Veterinary Conference (WSVC). She sits on the advisory board for Companion Animal Health and has been a key speaker at the American International Medical Laser Association. Dr. Torraca is a longtime member of American Physical Therapy Association Special Interest Group (APTA-SIG) and has held the office of President. She is also a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). She is an active member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, the American Bullmastiff Association, the Clumber Spaniel Club of America, and various other local dog clubs and organizations including the Connecticut Police Canine Unit.

Karen Atlas is a pioneering Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and the founder of Atlas Rehabilitation for Canines (ARC) based in Santa Barbara, CA. After a rewarding career in human physiotherapy, Karen shifted focus to animal rehabilitation. Drawing from her expertise in human physiotherapy, and motivated after treating her dog, Teddy, Karen redefined standards in animal physical therapy, emphasizing clinical reasoning and innovative care techniques. As a speaker and mentor, Karen shares her passion for the profession with students in Veterinary Medical and Physical Therapy Doctorate programs. Beyond her clinical practice and teaching, she is an influential advocate for animal physical therapy on the local, national and international level. She served on the California Veterinary Medical Board’s Stakeholder’s Task Force and International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT) Unity group. She founded the Animal Physical Therapy Coalition (APTC) in 2017, a grassroots coalition representing and unifying all like-minded industry stakeholders including DVMs, PTs, RVT/LVTs, and animal owners. The founding of APTC underscores Karen’s commitment to legislative change in California, aimed at expanding access to animal rehab care and enhancing inter-professional collaboration. Under her leadership, the APTC has garnered widespread support and credibility among legislators and industry stakeholders, driving common-sense solutions for complex challenges within the profession. As a dynamic voice in the field of animal rehabilitation, Karen Atlas exemplifies responsible leadership in a rapidly growing field. Her efforts to drive positive change underscore her vision for a future where professionals engage collaboratively, and animals have access to the highest quality care.

Dr. Carrie Adrian is owner and founder of CanineIQ, the first online educational platform and on-site residency for post-graduate physical therapists and physical therapy students. Carrie was voted as the 2021 Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapist of the Year by her peers in the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT). Carrie received her Biology degree from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA; her MSPT degree from North Georgia College; and her PhD with a specialty in canine biomechanics from Colorado State University. She contributed to the development of the University of Tennessee’s canine rehabilitation certification program, serving as faculty until 2004. Carrie has participated in many national and international continuing education seminars on animal rehabilitation, both as a participant and lecturer, since 1998. She is a contributor to several textbooks and is the past Vice President for the Animal Physical Therapy Special Interest Group (SIG) in the Academy of Orthopaedics in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Carrie served as the national Director of Rehabilitation Services for VCA Animal Hospitals, a position she created within VCA in 2007; Director of the Physical Therapy Department at VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado in Loveland, CO since 2011; and Director of Physical Therapy services at Alameda Veterinary Hospital in Denver, CO since 2000, as the first fulltime physical therapist in a private veterinary practice in the country. She provided pro-bono services to the Denver Zoo and has the honor and privilege to assist the Loveland Police Department on selection of new police dogs for their squad. Carrie also serves as an independent research consultant for Nutramax Laboratories in Lancaster, SC.

Dr. Janet Van Dyke completed her internship and surgical residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1984. Practicing orthopedics and sports medicine, Dr. Van Dyke saw many canine patients benefit from rehabilitation therapy. In 2002, she founded the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) to train and certify veterinary and physical therapy professionals in canine rehabilitation. Certifying over 1400 graduates from 35 countries and helping to grow the global demand for this area of practice. She sold CRI in 2022. Dr. Van Dyke is co-editor of the seminal textbook Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, now in its third edition. She lectures internationally and consults regularly with veterinary and physical therapy boards on legislative issues related to veterinary rehabilitation. Dr. Van Dyke is a founding diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation where she served as chair of the Residency and Credentials Committee for four years and the PR Committee for 4 years. In 2020 she helped to establish the Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Chapter of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. She has served on the boards of directors of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM), the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV), the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS), the Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Chapter of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS), and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR). She served as president of AARV and VOS. Dr. Van Dyke is a member of advisory boards for multiple companies offering products and services related to the field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Dr. Kara Amstutz was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. After completing a Biology degree at Missouri State University, she earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 2000. She started Hometown Veterinary Hospital in 2002, growing quickly over the following years. In 2013, Dr. Amstutz became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist through Canine Rehabilitation Institute. The following year, Dr. Amstutz became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Then, in 2019 she became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. These advanced certifications allowed Dr. Amstutz to found River Canine Rehabilitation and transition her daily practice to rehabilitation and pain management cases only. In 2022, Dr. Amstutz became the new owner and CEO of Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), a postgraduate rehabilitation and acupuncture certification program for veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary nurses. Dr. Amstutz is a lead instructor for multiple courses offered through CRI. Dr. Amstutz is also the CEO of Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), an online platform for veterinary health professionals and pet owners that helps care for dogs with osteoarthritis. Dr. Amstutz became a Diplomate of The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2023. Dr. Amstutz lectures nationally and internationally about osteoarthritis, the business of canine rehabilitation, and rehabilitation therapy. Looking into the future, Dr. Amstutz will continue her education and veterinary practice efforts focusing on sports medicine, pain management, and mobility.

Dr. Kevin K. Haussler is a leading researcher in the objective assessment of musculoskeletal pain, conservative management of spinal pain and dysfunction, and application of chiropractic techniques in animals. He is currently an Associate Professor at Lincoln Memorial University in eastern Tennessee. Dr. Haussler is a charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and a course instructor for the Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification course at the University of Tennessee. In 2019, Dr. Haussler created an online educational program at the Veterinary Compendium (VetCompendium.org), which focuses on elevating the standards of care for animals through a collective exploration of innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Dr. Peck received a BS degree in Exercise Science from Kansas State University, a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center and PhD from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His clinical expertise involves treating sports and orthopedic related conditions, in addition to providing physical therapy for Native Americans in an outpatient medical facility governed by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. Dr. Peck is past President of the Animal Physical Therapy Special Interest Group of the APTA Orthopedic Academy of Physical Therapy (2013-19), and current SIG liaison to the World Physiotherapy Animal PT Network. He is a core instructor in the University of Tennessee’s Certification Program in Equine Rehabilitation, and instructor for Sierra Peaks Animal Rehabilitation out of Denver, Colorado, teaching canine physical therapy continuing education courses. Dr. Peck has presented both nationally and internationally on the topics of equine rehabilitation, including both horse and rider biomechanics. He serves on the editorial board for a peer reviewed publication from Elsevier entitled, “Journal of Equine Rehabilitation”. Dr. Peck is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical therapy at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, where he teaches topics in clinical exercise physiology, health & wellness, and political advocacy for the profession of physical therapy. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.