“The best CE course (Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation) I have ever taken. All instructors were amazing, easy to approach, and they answered the questions well. I have been trying to decide how I want to proceed in my career, and this course has helped fuel my passion for veterinary medicine in general but now I've found a field I can see myself loving for years to come."
–Amy, DVM
“I LOVED this class!"
–Shannon Wilkins, CVT,
Winchester, Virginia |
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Please click on a question below to read the answer.
Though we have many hours of online component to our program, the skills needed to become proficient at canine rehabilitation (diagnostics as well as therapeutics) require that you spend time learning the hands-on techniques in the classroom and lab with our instructors.
No, we do not. We have learned through our experience in the past 19 years teaching this program that all students, after about 4 days of class, reach a point at which their ability to assimilate more information has diminished. We also feel that it is most effective to take new skills learned in a 4-day on-site class and apply them in the clinic for several weeks before returning to learn more. This time between classes helps the student to better recognize those skills that still require additional training. Returning to the next module allows the student to hone these skills while advancing his or her education.
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, Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse for veterinary technicians/nurses/assistants) to refresh their knowledge and skills before moving on to their internship.
In addition, CRI has always encouraged students to not let any more than six months go by between modules. We understand that work and life schedules can make this challenging, however we have witnessed the difficulties that students have faced when more than six months have passed. The material is hard to recall if it has not been used
and practiced consistently, causing challenges for the student and faculty, and leading to delays that impact everyone in the class. If you encounter a scheduling issue that keeps you from taking a module within the six-month time frame, we will encourage you to attend the prior module again, at no charge. We will do everything that we can to accommodate your needs to prevent your having to retake classes, but we urge all students to complete their classroom work on time.
There must be a veterinarian or physical therapist in your practice that has been certified in canine rehabilitation or you and your veterinary technician/nurse can attend together. To enroll in the CCRVN program, veterinary technicians/nurses must be under the supervision of a
veterinarian or physical therapist who: is certified in canine rehabilitation by one of the following programs: Canine Rehabilitation
Institute (CCRT), UT/VAHL (CCRP), Healing Oasis (VMRT), Chi Institute
(CCRV), CuraCore (CRPM), or is a veterinarian who has earned his or her DACVSMR and is
practicing canine rehabilitation,
or, is pursuing CCRT certification, and has completed Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation or has a
seat confirmed in that course. Before veterinary technicians/nurses can become certified, their supervising veterinarian or physical therapist must be certified in canine rehabilitation.
Please read the Employment Agreement Letter for complete details. You must submit an Employment Agreement Letter with your technician/nurse’s application.
Veterinary technicians/nurses registering for CRI courses must have successfully completed an approved veterinary technician/nurse program. Proof of licensure, registration, or certification in the state where the applicant is employed is required. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis and will require that the applicant submit a letter of recommendation from their supervising veterinarian or physical therapist indicating that he/she is prepared for the rigors of the program. See Letter of Recommendation Guidelines.
Veterinary technicians without credentials will be certified as Canine Rehabilitation Assistants (CCRA).
Physical therapist assistants are not eligible for certification.
Occupational therapists are not eligible for certification.
Only licensed veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary technicians/nurses are eligible for certification.
No. Only licensed veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary technicians/nurses are eligible.
Yes, we accept veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary technicians/nurses from other countries
if they submit proof of licensure, registration, or certification in the country where they are employed.
Yes, veterinary students are permitted to enroll in CRI courses. CRI has made adjustments to our rehabilitation and acupuncture certification programs just for veterinary students. Note that when registering you will need to submit proof of your enrollment in veterinary school in lieu of proof of licensure.
Certification in Canine Rehabilitation (CCRT): 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 licenses.
Certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (CVAT): Students can start their training by taking Introduction to Veterinary Medical Acupuncture any time after their first year. They can then take the second module, Veterinary Medical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Patients any time after their second year, and the last module, Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture, any time after their third year. Certification will be awarded when the students obtain their veterinary licenses.
We encourage veterinary students to take advantage of the 20% discount off the tuition we are currently offering for both programs. Note that veterinary students are not eligible for this discount on courses they have taken or are currently taking. It would, however, apply to future modules.
Please see the Veterinary Student Certification page for complete details.
Yes, students in doctorate programs in physical therapy are now permitted to enroll in CRI's rehabilitation certification courses. CRI has made adjustments to our rehabilitation certification programs just for physical therapy students. Note that when registering you will need to submit proof of your enrollment in physical therapy school in lieu of proof of licensure.
Certification in Canine Rehabilitation (CCRT): Physical therapy 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 physical therapy licenses.
We encourage physical therapy students to take advantage of the 20% discount off the tuition we are currently offering for this program. Please see the Physical Therapy Student Certification page for complete details.
In order to be certified by CRI, you need to attend all three of the required courses. If you are a graduate
of another program, you are welcome to attend our courses as continuing education.
Every state has a Veterinary Practice Act and a Physical Therapy Act. Some states are more lenient than others when it comes to physical therapists working with animals. We advise all of our students to familiarize themselves with both practice acts in their states.
When CRI was established in 2002, CCRT was used to designate both Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapists (veterinarians and physical therapists) and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Technicians (veterinary technicians/nurses). To eliminate this confusion, we changed the CCRTech designation to Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant (CCRA) in 2005.
In 2018, in support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, we changed our certification title for credentialed veterinary technicians to Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse (CCRVN). 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 Nurses (CCRVN) if they are working under the direction of a rehabilitation-certified veterinarian or physical therapist. Veterinary technicians without formal credentials continue to receive the designation of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant (CCRA).
You can take all courses at one location or split the courses between locations — whatever works out best for you and your schedule. We have even had some of our American students travel abroad to attend CRI courses!
No. All three of the required courses must be completed successfully and the exams passed before an internship can be started.
We will give you access to the list when you have successfully completed Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation. Note that is for planning purposes only. You cannot start your internship until you have finished all three modules and exams.
It depends on the course. We require a $1,000 deposit for the following core courses (Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation,
Clinical Skills, Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse, and Veterinary Acupuncture modules). Our discounted 2-course packages also have a deposit of $1,000 per 2-course package. The balance due will be charged 90 days prior to the start of the first course. For our continuing education courses (for example, The Business of Canine Rehabilitation), students pay the entire course fee at the time of registration, since course fees are usually $700-1,000 per course. If Clinical Applications or Canine Therapeutic Exercise is taken as a stand-alone course (not part of a 2-course package), the entire course fee is due at the time of registration.
The entire tuition balance is due 90 days prior to Day 1 of the first course.
We maintain waiting lists for sold-out courses if we think some seats may open in the future. If you are on a waiting list, the more flexible you can be at the last minute, the greater your chances of obtaining a seat. For information about our waiting list policy, go to our Waiting List Policy page.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer financial aid at this time.
At the time of registration you will receive a course syllabus, reference materials, reading list/assignments, access to any video lectures that you need to view before class, and in some cases pre-course homework.
CRI allows students to retake any core module, tuition free. A nominal fee applies for course notes. Effective June 1, 2022, CRI will ask a student to pay a $500 fee to retake a course ($200 for course notes and a $300 deposit to secure a space). After the student completes the course, CRI will refund the $300 deposit to the student.
Please contact CRI at [email protected] to inquire about retaking a course.
See our Travel Arrangements pages for information about airports, ground transportation, and special hotel rates available for CRI students. Please note: Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until your registration has been confirmed.
Unfortunately, we are not able to do that. Our faculty members frequently update their electronic files, so we are not able to provide copies of previous course materials. Please back up your CRI files and all other important files so you will be protected in the event of a computer malfunction.
Unfortunately, no. CRI is not certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an educational institution
that can enroll nonimmigrant students. After you have graduated, you may be eligible to travel to the U.S. to take a CRI course on a Business Visitor Visa (B-1). You would need to check with
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country for details. For more information, go to the Business Visa page on the U.S. State Department website.
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