Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation

Course Description

This course is the first of four modules for CCRT, CCRVT/CCRVN, and CCRA certification.

The course comprises online pre-course videos that must be watched before class and four days in class.

This course gives students a fundamental understanding of canine functional anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Using clay, students build relevant structures on canine skeletons and get hands-on experience palpating live dogs in class.

Common orthopedic and neurological disorders of the canine patient, including conservative and surgical treatment options. Canine rehabilitation therapies that apply traditional physical therapy techniques, including manual therapies, therapeutic exercise, and physical modalities, are taught along with ways to incorporate them into veterinary practice.

Prerequisites:

This course is open to veterinarians, physical therapists, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants. Veterinary and physical therapy students may take this course any time after their first year of veterinary or physical therapy school. Non-credentialed veterinary assistants must have at least one year of clinical experience and submit a Letter of Recommendation from their supervising rehabilitation-certified veterinarian or physical therapist.

Online Pre-course Videos: 11.5 hours

All students will have 11.5 hours of pre-course online work to complete before the in-person session. We will send you instructions for accessing the recourse work approximately 60 days before the start of class.

Please note: All videos must be viewed to receive full CE credit for this course portion.

Days in Class: 4

RACE Approved for 47.5 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 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.

Additional Course Information

Course Fee:

$3,349 - Springfield, Missouri

$4,500 - Velm, Belgium

$5,100 - Brisbane, Australia

Course Notes: Our Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation module consists of independent study and a 4-day in-person session.

Please Note: Many core certification courses (Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, Clinical Skills, Clinical Applications, Concepts for the Rehabilitation Team, and Canine Therapeutic Exercise) sell out months in advance. We recommend that students register for all their core certification courses as soon as they know their schedules. Courses must be taken in a specified order, but you must not complete Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation before registering for other classes. Please see our CCRT, CCRVT/CCRVN, and CCRA pages for more information.

Topics Covered:

• Comparative (human and canine) anatomy and biomechanics
• Canine neuro/musculoskeletal structures, including bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage; also, the origin, insertion, innervation, and action of each muscle
• The fundamental physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics of joint, muscle, and muscle action as they relate to common canine injuries and tissue healing
• Traditional physical therapy terminology and techniques, including manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercise
• Physical modalities, including Shockwave, LASER, Therapeutic Ultrasound, thermal agents, and electrotherapy
• Pain recognition and assessment in canine patients
• Diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcome measurement in canine rehabilitation
• Infectious diseases and zoonoses requiring caution in canine rehabilitation practice
• Orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation
• The business of canine rehabilitation

Class Times:

Days 1-3: 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Central Time, USA

Day 4: 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. Central Time, USA

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.

Please Note: Australia Courses run from 9 A.M to 6 P.M daily

Examination:

At the end of the course, students are given a take-home, open-book final exam that they have 14 days to complete. Collaboration with classmates is encouraged.

Registered Students:

Please watch for specific emails about each class, as there may be occasional minor changes to class times.