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 should complete all three of their certification modules within three years. 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.
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, 2023, the total course fee for courses in the CCRT program will be:
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.
- Veterinary and physical therapy students may take advantage of the 20% discount off the tuition we are currently offering for both programs.
- 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 April 4, 2023.
|