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 3 online and 2 onsite sessions.110.5 hours including 32.5 hours of hands-on labs in canine anatomy, objective assessments, manual therapies, and rehabilitation modalities.30 hours of internship with a small animal rehabilitation therapist after completion of the sessions 1-4 and within 6 months of completion of the course is necessary to receive certification.
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.
Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Technician
Taught in English
Veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants only
110.5 hours
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
History of Canine Rehabilitation and Legal Issues
1h
Canine Anatomy: Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System
3h
Review of Head, Cervical and Thoracic Limb Musculature
1h
Review of Abdominal, Dorsal and Pelvic Limb Musculature
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
Evidence of Benefits of Therapeutic Exercise
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Land Exercises
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Hydrotherapy
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Electrotherapy
2h
Therapeutic Modalities: Therapeutic Ultrasound
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Shockwave Therapy
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Thermotherapy
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Electromagnetic Therapy
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Manual Therapies for Technicians
1h
Therapeutic Modalities: Laser Therapy
3h
Session 2
The Role of the Rehab Technician and Assistant
1h
Maintaining Realistic Client Goals – Clear Communication
1h
Recording in the Medical Record
1h
Self-care – the emotional impact of rehab therapy
1h
On-site Labs
22h
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
Toes and Toenails
1h
Common Neurological Conditions
2h
Common Orthopedic Disorders from Head to Toe
2h
Pain Physiology and Assessment
2h
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
2h
Rehabilitation for Geriatric Patients
1h
Rehabilitation and Nursing Care for Recumbent Animals
2h
Session 4
Regenerative Medicine
2h
Applied Nutrition in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
Obesity
1h
Applied Behavior in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
1h
Zoonotic and Infectious Disease Awareness, Prevention, and Control Strategies in Canine Rehab
1h
Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Assistive Devices
2h
Red Flags and Cautions for Rehabilitation Patients
2h
Rehabilitation for Pocket Pets, Wildlife and Exotics
1h
Hot Topics in Rehab & Thinking Out of the Box: Unusual Cases that Benefit From Rehabilitation & Some That do Not
1h
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Causes, Testing and Treatment
1h
Rehabilitation for Hospice, Palliative, and Cancer Care
1h
Rehabilitation for Other Internal Medical Conditions
1h
Feline Rehabilitation
1h
Nutraceuticals, Supplements and Herbals
1h
Radiographs Positioning – Perfect Images for Rehab Techs
1h
Choosing Devices for Ambulation Assistance in Rehab Patients
1h
Veterinary Orthotics – Making a Good Impression
1h
Photography and Videography – A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, a Video is Worth a Million
1h
Recognizing When a Patient Needs a Rehab Vet Recheck
1h
Session 5
Announcements and Review
2h
Review, Q&A
2 hours
On-site Labs
10.5h
Certification
CCRVT Certification
- Complete all 5 sessions.
- Pass quizzes with a 75% or above average.
- Pass the written and practical exams with 75% or above each.
- Complete 30 internship hours with a certified veterinary rehab veterinarian. Internship can be started after completion of session 2 (1st onsite), but must be completed within 6 months of finishing the course.
- CCTVT (Certified Canine Tui-na Veterinary Technician): For the student who is a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
- CCTVA (Certified Canine Tui-na Veterinary Assistant): For the student who is NOT a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
- Note: A CCTVA holder can update their certificate to CCTVT once they become a Registered Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
Instructors
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.
Ronald Koh
DVM, MS, DACVSMR, CVA, CCRP, CVMMP, CVCH, CVFT
Dr. Ronald Koh received his veterinary degree in Taiwan in 2006 and later completed a specialty internship followed by a master’s program in acupuncture at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020, he spent 6.5 years on the faculty of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as an assistant professor (2015-2020) and a service chief of Integrative Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. He is certified in acupuncture, rehabilitation, herbal therapy, and medical manipulation. He completed his residency in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2019. His research and clinical focus have been on integrative and rehabilitative medicine therapies for pain management, orthopedic impairments, neurological deficits, geriatric conditions, and palliative/hospice care. His focus within TCVM is using traditional, scalp, and topographic acupuncture, along with herbal medicine for neurological conditions. He lectures on TCVM, integrative medicine, and rehabilitation for veterinary schools, conferences, and general public events. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and traveling.
Terri Rosado
DVM, CVA, CTCVMP, CCRT, CVFT, CVTP, CVCH, CVMMP
Terri Rosado graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005 and completed a rotating small animal internship at UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She earned her certification in acupuncture from Chi in 2008 and has been practicing integrative medicine since. She has been a lab instructor at Chi since 2010. Dr. Rosado received her certification in veterinary rehabilitation therapy from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2013. Dr. Rosado is currently enrolled in the TCVM Masters Program at Chi and is certified in Tui-na and Food Therapy. She owns an integrative clinic in Flagler Beach, FL and is the medical director at Chi Animal Hospital. She loves to teach, opening her doors to students of Chi and UF for externships, and welcoming volunteers to learn what small animal veterinary practice is about.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2023
Schedule & Tuition
Session 1
Online
May 8 - Jul 10, 2023
$750.00
Session 2
On-site in Reddick, FL
Jul 11 - Jul 14, 2023
$2,650.00
Session 3
Online
Jul 15 - Sep 14, 2023
$750.00
Session 4
Online
Sep 15 - Nov 14, 2023
$750.00
Session 5
On-site in Reddick, FL
Nov 15 - Nov 17, 2023
$1,500.00
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 or course.
Add-ons
CCRVT Certification
$350.00