"This course (Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation) was amazing. Thank you for all of your knowledge and sharing. I loved the way you helped us apply the techniques we learned and the layering effects to review and help us remember. Really enjoyed having the hands-on time with all of the different dogs. This has truly been a life-changing experience for me. I can’t wait to do the next courses!"
—Lisbeth Weinheimer, MSPT,
Northport, Alabama

“Excellent anatomy review. Much better taught than in vet school! The clay models, repetition, and testing were very effective. Well balanced between lectures and hands-on."
–Seth Bleakley, MVB, MRCVS, CCRT,
Fort Collins, Colorado
Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation
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Upcoming Dates

» May 5-8, 2023
Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, Springfield, Missouri, $3,300. SOLD OUT. Please read our waiting list policy and contact us to be added to our waiting list. A deposit is required.

» August 25-28, 2023
Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, Springfield, Missouri, $3,300.

» November 3-6, 2023
Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, Springfield, Missouri, $3,300.

» Future Class
Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, $3,300.

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, CCRT, CVPP, CVA, 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 30 days to complete. Collaboration with fellow classmates is encouraged.