Program Overview
The Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner (CVMMP) small animal track is a 107 CE-hour program (approved by AAVSB RACE) that trains and certifies veterinarians in Small Animal Veterinary Medical Manipulation (SAVMM), or small animal chiropractic. This program is offered only to licensed veterinarians and 3rd or 4th year veterinary school students, providing them with the opportunity to learn SAVMM more efficiently and effectively, while taking their skills and knowledge to a deeper level. The SAVMM program is split up into five sessions. Two sessions take place online while three sessions take place on-site at the state-of-the-art IVMI campus in Reddick, Florida, USA.
32 hours of the program are set aside for intensive, hands-on wet lab learning in small groups with dogs. The lab groups are small with 4 - 6 students per dog to ensure that each student receives the maximum amount of individual attention and hands-on experience to practice SAVMM on dogs. This structure ensures that students will be confident to start clinical practice after the first on-site session.
Major Topics
Some of the main topics that this program covers include:
- TMJ Function and Manipulation
- Rehabilitation Tools
- Motion Palpation
- Lumbar Manipulation
- Core Strength and Stability
Program Features
Designed for and offered exclusively to veterinarians and veterinary students
Limited seats to ensure small 4-6 student lab groups for the 32 hours of wet labs
Learn how to use the most advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques from world-renowned faculty
Diagnose and treat real cases during the wet labs
Free case consultations with faculty through email and online discussion
Veterinary Medical Manipulation Certification Track
Taught in English
For veterinarians & veterinary students only
107 RACE-approved CE hours
Curriculum
Session 1
The Subluxation
1h
Introduction to Manipulation
1h
Motion Palpation Intro: Canine
1h
Functional Anatomy
2h
Biomechanics
2h
Anatomy
2h
The Role of Proprioceptors in VMM
1h
The Muscle Spindle
1h
Sympathetic Nervous System
1h
Nervous System and Cranial Nerve Review
1h
Integrating VMM into Practice
1h
Cases
1h
Session 2
TMJ and Occiput Function/Manipulations
1h
Cervical Vertebrae C2-C7 Function/Manipulations
1h
Thoracic Limb Function/Manipulation
1h
Development of Veterinary Medical Manipulation
1h
Cervical Pathology
2h
Intro to Craniosacral
1h
Posture and Balance
2h
Pain
1h
Motion Palpation
1h
Review of the Neurologic Exam
1h
The Non-Sporting Animal
1h
Promoting your Practice
1h
Lab: Hands-on Manipulation
12h
Session 3
Treating Geriatric Patients with MSM
1h
Locomotion
1h
Movement and the Athlete
1h
Demo: Small Animal Motion Palpation
1h
Anatomy
2h
Business
4h
Demo: Small Animal Cases
2h
Manipulation Research
1h
Therapeutic Nail Trims
1h
Sports Injuries
1h
Introduction to Rehabilitation Tools
1h
Approach to Sports Medicine/Rehab Cases
1h
Session 4
Lumbar Function and Manipulations
1h
Sacrum and Pelvic Manipulations
1h
Thoracic and Rib Manipulations
1h
Thoracolumbar/Sacropelvic-The Average Dog
1h
Gait Analysis
2h
Working Dogs
1h
Fascia
1h
Intro to Tui-na
1h
Anatomy Trains
1h
Cutaneous Innervation
1h
Iliopsoas
1h
Core Strength/Conditioning
1h
VMM Demonstration
1h
Team Challenge
1h
Lab: Hands-on Manipulation
12h
Session 5
Pelvic Limb Function/Manipulation
1h
Review of Anatomy
1h
Review of Manipulations
1h
Canine Athlete
3h
Agility
1h
Intro to Food Therapy
1h
Practice Act for VMM
1h
Neuroplasticity
1h
Case Discussions
1h
Lab: Hands-on Manipulation
4h
CVMMP Certification
Instructors
Karen Spracklen
DVM, CVA, AVCA, CVMMP
Dr. Spracklen is originally from Goshen, Indiana and received her BS and DVM degrees from Purdue University. She was certified in animal chiropractic through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1996 and she completed her certification in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute in 1999. Karen owns the Holly Lane Veterinary Service, an equine practice entirely devoted to complementary therapies - primarily acupuncture, chiropractic and Chinese herbs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and dressage riding.
Enrollment Options
Available Formats
Semester
2022 (Waitlist)
Schedule & Tuition
The 2022 class is currently full and will only allow Session 1 registrations. You may still be able to attend Sessions 2-5 for this class if a space opens up. Otherwise, you'll have a guaranteed seat in the next class.
Session 1
Online
01/01/22 - 02/16/22
$945
Session 2
On-site in Reddick, FL
02/17/22 - 02/20/22
$1,520
Day 1 | |
7:45AM - 8:30AM | Registration |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30 | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 2 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 3 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Lecture |
Day 4 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
Session 3
Online
02/21/22 - 04/20/22
$945
Session 4
On-site in Reddick, FL
04/21/22 - 04/24/22
$1,520
Day 1 | |
7:45AM - 8:30AM | Registration |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30 | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 2 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 3 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Lecture |
Day 4 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
Session 5
On-site in Reddick, FL
06/23/22 - 06/26/22
$1,220
Day 1 | |
7:45AM - 8:30AM | Registration |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture & Review |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 2 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Hands-on Manipulation Lab |
Day 3 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Lecture |
12:30PM - 1:30PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM - 5:30PM | Practical Exam |
Day 4 | |
8:30AM - 12:30PM | Written Exam |
Payment Information
A $200 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 60 days before the first day of each session.
A $50 convenience fee will be charged for payments and registrations received less than 60 days before the start of a session.
Add-ons
CVMMP Certification
$350
Printed Binders
$250
Frequently Asked Questions
How does VMM differ from Tui-na?
VMM uses a HVLA (high-velocity, low-amplitude) thrust to directly affect the joint and the mechanoreceptors around the joint. Tui-na affects the muscle and does not incorporate HVLA techniques. Both of these modalities work very well together and the combination can be beneficial for many patients.
Are medical manipulation and chiropractic the same thing?
Chiropractic, as defined by law, applies specifically and only to humans. A chiropractor has completed human chiropractic training and obtained a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (DC). When similar techniques are applied to animals, it is correctly called spinal manipulation or medical manipulation.