“I so admire the ease with which the PTs transferred, hopefully with some measure of success, their vast knowledge to our eager hands and brains. Every one of them was incredibly patient with us, our occasional hypoglycemic brain fog notwithstanding. It's obvious they're ALL passionate about what they do; I'm hoping I can live up to their high standards for animal care."
–Carla Wilkie, DVM, CVA, CVC, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
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Courses

» Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation
(required)

» Clinical Skills
(required)

» Clinical Applications
(required)

Please read the full details about the updated CCRT program at left.

We appreciate the patience and flexibility our students have shown as we work to provide the best education in rehabilitation and acupuncture during this challenging time. For more information on each module, please visit their respective pages here: Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, Clinical Skills, Clinical Applications, Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse. Please know we are available by email at [email protected] should you have questions or concerns, or want to know more about our classes in the future. Please continue to check our Newsletters and News page for the latest updates.

Canine Rehabilitation Therapist Certification is offered to veterinarians and physical therapists.

Candidates for certification must take all 3 modules in order, take an open-book exam, and complete a 40-hour internship with an approved clinical instructor. Participants must pass clinical competency standards set forth by the program.

CCRT candidates learn:

  • Canine anatomy and physiology
  • Conditions and injuries commonly referred for rehabilitation
  • Animal handling techniques and safety
  • Physical therapy assessment techniques
  • Manual therapy
  • Physical modalities and therapeutic exercise
  • Neurological rehabilitation
  • Assessment and recognition of pain
  • The business of canine rehabilitation

Our three modules for CCRT certification are:

  • Module 1: Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation. Topics will include canine anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Common orthopedic and neurological conditions will be discussed. Topics will include manual therapies, physical modalities, and therapeutic exercise. This course combines online coursework and an in-person 4-day session.
  • Module 2: Clinical Skills. Students will be introduced to clinical assessment, goal setting, treatment planning, and outcome measurement from a physical therapy perspective. Practical applications of joint mobilization, modalities, and therapeutic exercise will be covered. Canine neuro rehabilitation will be introduced. This course consists of online coursework and an in-person 3-day session.
  • Module 3: Clinical Applications. This is a hands-on course where students will be able to practice their evaluation skills, create assessments, and present treatment plans for all types of canine rehabilitation cases. Differential diagnoses will be addressed in case-based discussions. Topics will include evaluation of orthopedic and neurologic impairments, gait patterns and lameness, assessment and recognition of pain, and pain management. This course consists of a multi-hour independent study segment and an in-person 2-day session.
  • Internship: A 40-hour internship remains a requirement for CCRT certification. This is completed with an approved clinical instructor and participants must pass competency standards set forth by the program.

Things to know about the updated CCRT program:

  • The three modules must be taken in order.
  • Students that started the CCRT program at our international locations before January 1, 2021, have the option to take Canine Sports Medicine as their third module. Clinical Applications will now be required for all students starting their training at our international locations.
  • We plan to offer Canine Sports Medicine at least twice a year. We encourage students that are interested in this area to take the course as CE.
  • The cost of CCRT certification will remain the same.
  • Students must complete all three of their certification modules within a 3-year time frame. Otherwise, they will need to retake their second course (Clinical Skills for veterinarians and physical therapists) to refresh their knowledge and skills before moving on to their internship.
  • CRI recommends that you complete your internship requirement within 6 months after your third module. It is required that you complete your internship within 2 years.
  • Certification must be completed in a 5-year time frame.

An open-book take-home final exam is given at the end of each module. Students have 14 days to complete each exam, and collaboration with fellow classmates is encouraged.

Once CCRT candidates have taken the three courses required for certification and successfully completed all exams, they participate in a 40-hour internship at a CRI-approved practice through the CRI Internship Program. We believe that an internship provides “real life” experience — an integral part of the training of the best practitioners.

Because many of our core certification courses sell out months in advance, we recommend that students register for all their core certification courses as soon as they know their schedules. Students do not need to complete Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation to register for other courses.

What is the cost of the CCRT program?

Beginning January 1, 2024, the total course fee for courses in the CCRT program will be:

  $3,349
  3,349
  1,989
Total Course Fee   $8,687

In 2023, the total course fee for courses in the CCRT program will be:

  $3,300
  3,300
  1,940
Total Course Fee   $8,540

Please note:

  • Veterinary and physical therapy students are permitted to enroll in CRI courses. CRI has made adjustments to our rehabilitation certification programs just for veterinary and physical therapy students. Note that when registering, veterinary and physical therapy students will need to submit proof of enrollment in veterinary or physical therapy school in lieu of proof of licensure. For CCRT certification, students can start their training by taking Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation any time after their first year. They can then take the second module, Clinical Skills, any time after their second year. After their third year, they can take the last module, Clinical Applications, followed by a 40-hour internship. Certification will be awarded when the students obtain their veterinary or physical therapy licenses. Please see the Veterinary Student Certification page and the Physical Therapy Student Certification page for complete details.
  • The total course fee does not include fees that may be charged by internship sites. Those fees are paid by students directly to the sponsoring practices.
  • The total course fee does not include costs that students may incur for travel, accommodations and meals.

Updated June 13, 2023.