Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician or Nurse (CCRVT or CCRVN)

The CCRVT/CCRVN certification is a post-graduate certification for licensed veterinary technicians/nurses who desire further expertise to help care for pets with pain or mobility issues. CCRVT/CCRVNs assist with treating geriatric, post-op, injury, neurologic, and conditioning cases.

Veterinary technicians/nurses with credentials including CVT, LVT, RVT, AHT, or those who have completed a two-year veterinary technology program will be certified as Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians or Nurses (CCRVT or CCRVN). The student can choose their CCRVT or CCRVN designation based on their local title regulations.

Non-credentialed veterinary assistants with one year of veterinary assistant experience are eligible for the CCRA certification. This includes professionals with other credentials, such as Physical Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers, Occupational Therapists, and Occupational Therapist Assistants working in a veterinary hospital or rehabilitation practice under the guidance of a Certified Rehabilitation Veterinarian. A Letter of Recommendation from the Certified Rehabilitation Veterinarian and verification of one year of veterinary experience is required.

The 2024 pricing for the CCRVT/CCRVN modules are:

• Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation: $3349
• Concepts for the Rehabilitation Team $2939
• Canine Therapeutic Exercise: $1989

Total for in-person coursework: $8277

We understand that leaving home to improve education and skills is a commitment. To reduce the number of required trips, we have scheduled the second and third modules back to back, saving time and travel expenses. If you would prefer to space your courses out further, you are welcome to do that too. However, the classes are designed to be taken back to back.

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 any CE credit hours for that day and may have to return to make up the missing hours. Do not make airline reservations that require you to depart class before 3:00 P.M.

The prerequisites and requirements are the same, but the credentials earned may vary based on local legal recognition of titles.

CCRVT is Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician

CCRVN is Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse

Veterinary Technicians have a variety of credentials in the United States (RVT, LVT, CVT, AHT, and LVMT). This can be confusing because there is no single term for all credentialed Veterinary Technicians.

In recent years, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) launched a campaign to rename Veterinary Technicians as Veterinary Nurses. However, this initiative received pushback from the Registered Nurse community because they believe the title is protected and should only be used in human medicine. As a result, the use of Veterinary Nurses in America is ambiguous.

However, the title Veterinary Nurse is utilized internationally and even protected in some countries.

It is our position that certifications represent our graduates as accurately as possible. Therefore, upon completing your four modules, we will allow you to mark the most accurate title for your location and practice.

CCRVTs and CCRVNs will work under their local state's Veterinary Medical Practice Act. This will dictate the level of supervision required and what you can and cannot do in practice.

CRI feels that the evaluation and formulation of the treatment plan must be completed by the Rehabilitation Certified Veterinarian or Rehabilitation Certified Physical Therapist, and the CCRVT/CCRVN assists with executing this plan by completing therapeutic exercises, physical modalities, and client education. It is never appropriate for a veterinary technician or nurse (even if certified in rehabilitation) to evaluate a patient and formulate a treatment plan. This places the rehabilitation professional at risk of malpractice and reduces patient health safety.