Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation is offered in a format combining independent study and an in-person 4-day session. Please read our Course Notes below.
Watch our video overview to learn more about this course.
Faculty: Kara L. Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CVA, CCRT, Cara Blake, DVM, DACVS-SA, CCRT, Amber Kenney, MPT, MTC, CKTP, CCRT, Patrice Mich, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVAA, DACVSMR, CCRT
Prerequisites: This
course is open to veterinarians, physical
therapists and veterinary technicians/nurses. Veterinary and physical therapy students may take this course any time after their first year of veterinary or physical therapy school. Veterinary
technicians/nurses must submit an Employment
Agreement Letter indicating that
there is a veterinarian or physical therapist
either certified in canine rehabilitation working
in their practice or registered
for Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation.
Registered students: All students will have 11.3 hours of pre-course online work to complete before the in-person session. We will send you instructions for accessing the pre-course work approximately 60 days before the start of class. Please note, all videos must be viewed to receive full CE credit for this portion of the course. |
Course
Description: Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation provides students with a fundamental understanding of canine anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Students build relevant structures on canine skeletons using clay and get hands-on experience palpating live canines. Common orthopedic and neurological disorders of the canine patient are covered including both 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 they can be incorporated into veterinary practice.
This course is RACE approved for 49 credit hours by the AAVSB.
Please note: 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. |
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Course Fee: $3,300
Course Notes: Our Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation module consists of independent study and a 4-day in-person session.
Please Note: Many of our core certification courses (Introduction
to Canine Rehabilitation, Clinical Skills, Clinical Applications, Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse, 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. Some courses must be taken in a specified order, but you do not need to complete Introduction
to Canine Rehabilitation before registering for other courses. Please see our CCRT and CCRVN pages for more information.
Topics Covered Include:
- 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, and aquatic therapy; also, physical modalities applying LASER, 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
Starting March 2023, class will be held each day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time at CRI's Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. There is a 1-hour break for lunch.
Registered students: Please watch for specific emails about each class as there may be occasional minor changes to class times.
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 fellow classmates is encouraged.
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