Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Technician
This course teaches technician closely assist the veterinarian in performing rehabilitation, neurological and orthopedic examinations including obtaining objective data such as joint and muscle measurements. Technicians will learn to analyze and quantify gait and posture abnormalities, apply rehabilitative therapies and modalities, utilize manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, regenerative medicine, assistive devices, and orthotics & prosthetics.
Course Overview
Hybrid course with 2 online and 2 hybrid sessions. 126 hours including 44 hours of hands-on labs in canine anatomy, objective assessments, manual therapies, and rehabilitation modalities. 30 hours of internship with a small animal rehabilitation veterinarian or therapist (CCRV, CCRT, CCRP, CCAT, VMRT) after completion of Sessions 1–4 is required to receive certification.
This course is limited to 12 students.
Course Objectives
- Closely assist the veterinarian in performing rehabilitation, neurological and orthopedic examinations including obtaining objective data such as joint and muscle measurements.
- Accurately analyze and quantify gait and posture abnormalities.
- Apply rehabilitative therapies and modalities to treat patients, including laser, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, electrotherapy, shockwave therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, etc.
- Utilize manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, regenerative medicine, assistive devices, and orthotics & prosthetics.
- Integrate principles of anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and disease processes to help increase or repair the physical mobility of patients.
- Manage and prevent injuries and pain associated with rehabilitation, performance, and sports medicine.
- Execute comprehensive rehabilitation programs for a variety of disorders, including orthopedic, neurologic, medical, hospice, and palliative cases.
- Execute appropriate conditioning programs in rehabilitation and sports medicine.
Admission requirements
Veterinary technician credentials, successful completion of a 2-year veterinary technician program, OR 5 years’ experience as a veterinary assistant in a small animal veterinary clinical setting. Only credentialed veterinary technicians are eligible for the CCRVT - please find the details under the certification section below.
Letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian certified in or currently attending courses for certification in canine rehabilitation therapy. The letter of recommendation should briefly detail your relationship to the veterinarian writing it, why you would be a good candidate for the class, and how it would benefit you and your clinic. There is no length requirement, but one half to one full page is suggested.
Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Technician
Taught in English
Veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants only
126 CE Hours
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Students must:
- Veterinary technician credentials, successful completion of a 2-year veterinary technician program, OR 5 years’ experience as a veterinary assistant in a small animal veterinary clinical setting. Only credentialed veterinary technicians are eligible for the CCRVT - please find the details under the certification section below.
- Letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian certified in or currently attending courses for certification in canine rehabilitation therapy. The letter of recommendation should briefly detail your relationship to the veterinarian writing it, why you would be a good candidate for the class, and how it would benefit you and your clinic. There is no length requirement, but one half to one full page is suggested.
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
History of Canine Rehabilitation and Legal Issues
1h
Introduction to Physical Therapy Terminology and Outcome Measurements
1h
Applied Exercise Physiology in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
Canine Gait and Posture
1h
Applied Nutrition in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
Applied Behavior in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
How to Perform Neurological Exam
1h
Common Neurological Conditions
2h
How to Perform Orthopedic Exam
1h
Common Orthopedic Disorders from Head to Toe
2h
Pain Physiology and Assessment
2h
Wound Healing Strategies
1h
Review of Head, Cervical and Thoracic Limb Musculature
1h
Review of Abdominal, Dorsal and Pelvic Limb Musculature
1h
The Business of Canine Rehabilitation
1h
Canine Anatomy: Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System
3h
Evidence of Benefits of Therapeutic Exercise
1h
Radiographic Positioning - Obtaining Perfect Images
1h
The Role of the Rehab Technician and Assistant
1h
Recording in the Medical Record
1h
Kinesiology of Exercise
1h
Session 2
Therapeutic Exercise: Land Exercises
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Thermotherapy
1h
Therapeutic Exercise: Hydrotherapy
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Electrotherapy
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Therapeutic Ultrasounds
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Electromagnetic Therapy
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Shockwave Therapy
1h
Manual Therapy
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Laser Therapy
2h
Photography and Videography – A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words; a Video is Worth a Million
1h
Maintaining Realistic Client Goals – Clear Communication
1h
Self-care – the emotional impact of rehab therapy
1h
Labs
26h
Session 3
Introduction to Canine Sports
1h
Canine Kinematics and How It Relates to Performance
1h
Canine Locomotion and Gait Re-training Strategies
1h
Core Training and Conditioning for Canine Athlete
1h
Common Canine Sports Injuries: Causes, Rehabilitation, Recovery and Prevention
1h
Pharmacological Management of Pain
1h
Non-pharmacological Management of Pain
1h
Rehabilitation for Acute Post-operative Management
1h
Rehabilitation for Common Orthopedic Disorders
4h
Rehabilitation for Common Neurological Disorders
3h
Rehabilitation for Geriatric Patients
1h
Rehabilitation and Nursing Care for Recumbent Animals
2h
Choosing Devices for Ambulation Assistance in Rehab Patients
1h
Rehabilitation for Hospice, Palliative, and Cancer Care
1h
Rehabilitation for Other Internal Medical Conditions
1h
Thinking out of the Box: Unusual Cases that Benefit from Rehabilitation and Some that do Not
1h
Feline Rehabilitation
1h
Nutraceuticals, Supplements and Herbals
1h
Session 4
Regenerative Medicine
2h
Obesity
1h
Lab Values in Canine Rehab and Their Role in Clinical Decision-Making for Rehab
1h
Zoonotic and Infectious Disease Awareness, Prevention, and Control Strategies in Canine Rehab
1h
Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Assistive Devices
2h
Veterinary Orthotics – Making a Good Impression
1h
Red Flags and Cautions for Rehabilitation Patients
2h
Rehabilitation for Pocket Pets, Wildlife and Exotics
1h
Rehabilitation Practice Business Strategies
1h
Hot Topics in Rehab & Thinking Out of the Box
1h
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Causes, Testing and Treatment
1h
Recognizing When a Patient Needs a Rehab Vet Recheck
1h
Maintaining Realistic Client Goals – Clear Communication
1h
Self-care – The Emotional Impact of Rehab Therapy
1h
Announcements and Review
2h
Review, Q&A
2 hours
On-site Labs
12h
Certification
CCRVT Certification
- Complete all 4 sessions.
- Pass quizzes with a 75% or above average.
- Pass the written and practical exams with 75% or above each.
- Complete 30 hours of internship with certified veterinary rehab veterinarian or therapist (CCRV, CCRT, CCRP, CCAT, VMRT) after completion of Sessions 1–4.
- CCRVT (Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Technician): For the student who is a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
- CCRVA (Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Assistant): For the student who is NOT a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
- Note: A CCRVA holder can update their certificate to CCRVT once they become a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
Instructors
Ronald B. Koh
DVM, MS, DACVSMR, CVA, CCRV, CCRP, CVMMP, CVCH, CVFT, CVPP, CVTP, CHPV
Dr. Ronald Koh, originally from Malaysia, earned his veterinary degree in Taiwan and has been practicing in the United States since 2009. He is a board-certified specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation with advanced expertise in pain management, acupuncture, manual therapy, TCVM, and integrative medicine.
Dr. Koh is the founder of the canine rehabilitation veterinary certification (CCRV) program at Chi University and serves as a professor there. He previously held faculty positions as clinical assistant professor at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and later as clinical associate professor of Integrative Medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
He holds multiple certifications in acupuncture (CVA), rehabilitation (CCRP, CCRV), pain management (CVPP), medical manipulation (CVMMP), herbal therapy (CVCH), food therapy (CVFT), Tui-na (CVTP), and hospice and palliative care (CHPV), and integrative veterinary cancer care (IVCCP-pending). His professional passions include managing chronic diseases, chronic pain, mobility dysfunction, cancer, and advancing the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound, with the ultimate goal of restoring mobility and enhancing quality of life for animals through a multimodal, holistic approach.
A sought-after national and international speaker, Dr. Koh regularly presents at conferences and teaches workshops not only across North America but also throughout Asia and European countries. He has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications on topics including acupuncture, TCVM, rehabilitation, pain management, laser therapy, and integrative medicine.
Outside of his professional life, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring diverse cultures. Fun fact: Dr. Koh speaks five languages—English, Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese, and Malay.
Janice Huntingford
DVM, CVA, CVCH, CVPP, CCRT, CAVCA, CVFT, CVTP, MSTCVM, DACVSMR
Dr. Janice Huntingford is a 1984 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph and a Board-Certified Specialist (Diplomate) in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine (DACVSMR). She is certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, in Animal Acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, in Chinese Herbal Medicine through Chi University, and is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. In 2007, Dr. Huntingford opened Ontario’s first saltwater canine therapy pool and canine rehabilitation centre. Dr. Huntingford lectures nationally and internationally on rehabilitation, acupuncture, geriatric medicine, herbals, and pain management to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. She has authored or co-authored several textbook chapters on rehabilitation and published a number of peer reviewed manuscripts. She consults and sits on several advisory boards related to herbal medicine, laser therapy, pain management and holistic medicine. Dr. Huntingford is the director for Chi Canada which offers Veterinary Acupuncture and Canine Rehabilitation Certificate programs in Essex, Ontario.
Directors
Sakyeng Shin
DVM, CVA, CCRV, CVFT, CVCH, CVTP, CTCVMT, CCRT
Dr. Sakyeng Shin studied Veterinary Medicine at Chungnam National University. She then later continued her studies of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida and Seoul National University. She currently serves as the Director of Chi South Korea.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2026 (Waitlist)
Schedule & Tuition
Access to all sessions will end at the conclusion of the final session.
Session 1
Online
Mar 1 - Apr 15, 2026
$1,125.00
Session 2
Online Portion
Apr 16 - Jun 30, 2026
On-site Portion in Seoul, South Korea
May 30 - Jun 2, 2026
$2,650.00
Location
7, Samseong-ro, 133-gil
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Republic of Korea
Contact for hotel & accommodation recommendations
Dr. Shin
chiunikorea@gmail.com
+ 82-2-6952-7524/ +82-10-2414-5602
Session 3
Online
Jul 1 - Sep 30, 2026
$1,125.00
Session 4
Online Portion
Oct 1 - Dec 20, 2026
On-site Portion in Seoul, South Korea
Dec 14 - 16, 2026
Includes the CCRVT Certification
$1,850.00
Location
7, Samseong-ro, 133-gil
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Republic of Korea
Contact for hotel & accommodation recommendations
Dr. Shin
chiunikorea@gmail.com
+ 82-2-6952-7524/ +82-10-2414-5602
Payment Information
A $200.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 30 days before the start date of each session, course, or event.