A cooperation program of Schloss-Seminar, Germany, and the University of Tennessee, USA

Certificate Program in Canine Physical Rehabilitation

Canine Course Descriptions:

U-Tenn Date and description | Advantages | Further Description | Registration and Cancellation rules | Submit cases for exam and externship | Preparatory Course for Final Examination Candidates in 2009 | Contents of the Preparatory Course

Part I: Introduction to Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

This course will cover fundamental issues related to physical therapy and rehabilitation in veterinary medicine:

• Stress and strain, trauma, immobilization and remobilization
• Functional anatomy (joints, spine, muscles)
• Performance physiology and performance parameters
• Rehabilitation techniques and common indications for treatment
• Setting up a physical therapy practice (personnel, facilities, equipment)

Part II: Modalities of Pain Management / Focus: Electrotherapy (TENS)

Rapid and effective pain control is an integral part of successful treatment.

• Thermotherapy
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Soft laser
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS)

Part III: Therapeutic Exercises and Aquatic Therapy for Dogs

This course is designed to teach basic skills in canine exercise therapy and aquatic therapy. After reviewing the physiological basis of therapeutic exercise, the risks and benefits of the various treatment techniques and methods for evaluation of treatment response will be discussed.

Main topics covered (theory and practice)

• Passive exercises
• Assisted exercises
• Active exercises
• Aquatic therapy

Part IV: Designing and Implementing Rehabilitation Programs for Canine Patients

Development of a rehabilitation protocol that is customized to meet the specific needs of the individual patient is the key to successful canine rehabilitation. Based on actual cases, the participants will learn how to design and implement optimized, individualized treatment plans. The most common orthopedic and neurological conditions will be discussed in small groups, and the selected rehabilitation measures will be practiced on live animals. Participants may present case studies for group discussion.*)
*) (A short case summary must be submitted - please read the details here )

Part V: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthrits is a very common problem in dogs. The great progress in the surgical and conservative treatment has created a demand for post-operative rehabilitation as well as conservative treatment modalities.

This course will allow you to assess and work up an osteoarthritic patient in terms of

• Diagnoses and assessment of the patient
• Pain management modalities
• Improvement in the range of motion (ROM) of affected joints
• Maintaining and rebuilding muscle mass
• Strengthening of muscle force
• Improvement of the overall body condition/weight management

Date of this information: 23 June 2006

U-Tenn Date and description | Advantages | Further Description | Registration and Cancellation rules | Submit cases for exam and externship | Preparatory Course for Final Examination Candidates in 2009 | Contents of the Preparatory Course