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Exercise Physiology of the Working Canine

Join us in Alaska for a comprehensive course on canine exercise physiology and hands-on experience with elite canine athletes — Alaskan Husky sled dogs! Attendees will learn how to drive a sled dog team and have the opportunity to drive their own team in the vast wilderness of this area with stunning views of Denali.

Course Description

CRI has partnered with 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennels and the Alaska Dog Mushing School to offer the ultimate continuing education adventure.

This 4-day program, taught by Dr. Michael Davis, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl ACVIM, ACVSMR, encompasses 18 hours of RACE-approved CE covering exercise physiology and sports medicine in working dogs and the complete experience of working with the ultimate canine athlete: the Alaskan Husky sled dog.

Prerequisites:

This course is open to veterinarians and physical therapists. Veterinary students may take this course any time after their first year of veterinary school.

RACE Approved for 18 Credit hours by the AAVSB

Note: The last day of class ends early to allow students the opportunity to return home that evening. Students who do not attend a full day of class will not receive full CE credit hours for that day. Do not make airline reservations that require you to depart class before 12:00 P.M.


Course Instructor:

Michael Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVSMR



Topics Covered:

  • Energy expenditure in exercising dogs
  • Fuel use in exercising dogs
  • Muscle adaptations to conditioning and exercise in dogs
  • Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
  • Hyperthermia and metabolic heat management
  • Hydration in working dogs
  • Renal and GI response to exercise
  • Treatment and prevention of GI disease in working dogs
  • Acute phase response and cytokine release in working dogs
  • Immunocompetence of exercising dogs

Additional Course Information

Course dates: 2025 Dates COMING SOON!!

If you choose an all-day sled experience, you may stay an additional 1-2 days.

Course Fee: Choose either:

  • $1,690 for the 4-day course (see details below), OR
  • $2,139 for the 4-day course plus $449 for the full day of dog mushing on Day 5 or 6 (limited to 12 people each day)

The $1,690 course fee includes:

  • 18 hours of CE
  • Lunch and snacks during class times
  • Introduction to dog mushing on Day 2
  • ½ day of dog mushing on Day 3 (for half of the class)
  • ½ day of dog mushing on Day 4 (for the other half of the class)

The full day of dog mushing (on Day 5 or 6) is limited to 12 students each day and has an additional cost of $449. Please select the $ 2,139 course fee to register for the full day of dog mushing.

We will assign you to a group and let you know once assignments have been made.

Class Times:

All class times are in the AKDT time zone

Note: The last day of class ends early to allow students the opportunity to return home that evening. Students who do not attend a full day of class will not receive full CE credit hours for that day. Do not make airline reservations that require you to depart class before 12:00 P.M.

Class Location:

Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennels

Conveniently Located Near Mile 52 of the Parks Hwy (Alaska Hwy 3)
Mile 4.5 West Lakes Blvd, 19391 West Lakes
Big Lake, Alaska 99652


FAQs

Please find below additional information to make your trip a memorable experience!