byline: Andrea Salzman, Founder, CEO, Aquatic Therapy Foundation, Inc.
Aquatic therapy works.
That’s not the problem.
The problem is that the systems around it don’t always keep up.
Across healthcare, aquatic therapy shows up in hospitals, rehab clinics, community pools, and wellness programs—but the education, safety frameworks, and workforce preparation behind it are often inconsistent. Some clinicians are well supported. Others are asked to do complex, high-stakes work in water with minimal guidance and a lot of guesswork.
The Aquatic Therapy Foundation was created in 2026 to change that—at the systems level.
We focus on education, workforce development, and practical frameworks that help organizations and professionals do aquatic therapy well, safely, and sustainably. We don’t provide individual services. Instead, we work upstream—supporting the people, programs, and structures that make aquatic therapy possible in the first place.
Right now, we’re in the build phase. That means doing the unglamorous but essential work: establishing strong governance, clarifying priorities, and completing our application for federal tax-exempt status. Foundations aren’t built overnight, and we’re committed to building this one thoughtfully.
We’re glad you found us early. There’s more to come. . .. Send an email to get to know ATF more.
4 responses to “Why the Aquatic Therapy Foundation Was Born in 2026”
This is wonderful!!!! Thank you.
Thank you Ailene. We will be getting ahold of you in the near future!
You always have amazing ideas.
I appreciate that. And I look forward to working with you in the near future!