VIN MULT120-0820: CAETA - The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Enrollment is closed.
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Course Open: August 26-October 10, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2020; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in actively interested in euthanasia and end-of-life care.
VIN CE Course: Open to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. This course is approved by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 22-43652)

Course Information:
Euthanasia is a very broad and diverse procedure with deep history and ethical implications. For decades, the veterinary profession has been evolving the act of taking life to match current welfare and societal demands. In this course, we will explore the history of euthanasia as it pertains to all species, review veterinary euthanasia guidelines, and examine the ethics behind it all. A large component behind CAETA’s development is to teach ways to support those who love companion animals. There are numerous caregiver and pet considerations affecting exactly why and how we perform euthanasia.

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 2, 2020): Overview of Companion Animal Euthanasia & Caregiver and Pet Considerations
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • comprehend the broad history of animal euthanasia.
  • understand how the methods we use today have come about.
  • appreciate ethical nuances around this sensitive topic.
  • apply client communication techniques for increased clarity.
  • better assist clients preparing for the euthanasia experience.
  • offer more empathy and support for the bereaved.

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 9, 2020): Physiology and Pharmacology & Pre-euthanasia Sedation/Anesthesia Protocols
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • explain the stages of dying.
  • better recognize what are normal and abnormal reactions to drugs.
  • understand how euthanasia drugs accomplish death.
  • determine when to reach for a sedative protocol versus an anesthetic.
  • explain expected physical changes to clients.
  • quickly modify protocols to meet the patient’s unique needs.

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 16, 2020): Euthanasia Techniques & Challenging Situations
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • effectively administer euthanasia solution using each technique.
  • make better decisions towards technique selection.
  • administer inhaled anesthetics or direct physical methods if necessary.
  • breathe easier knowing they are not alone. Everyone faces difficult cases.
  • troubleshoot quickly to provide a peaceful passing.
  • better explain to clients why the challenge/issue occurred.

Week 4 (Real Time Session September 23, 2020): Euthanasia Technique Laboratory – Technique Demonstration and Supply Review
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • more confidently administer via the intra organ route.
  • choose the best vein to work with every time.
  • provide respectful body handling and memorialization.
  • build mobile euthanasia supply kits.

Week 5 (Real Time Session September 30, 2020): Case Review & Euthanasia Team Training
Presenter: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • apply what they learned into their own cases.
  • better understand exotic pet euthanasia.
  • better understand companion livestock euthanasia.
  • identify factors that affect staff positively and negatively.
  • incorporate use of a euthanasia team training manual.
  • strategize ways to reduce euthanasia-related stressors.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Presenter:
Kathleen Cooney has been practicing advanced end-of-life care since 2006. She is the founder of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), Guardian Pet Aquamation and Cooney Animal Hospice Consulting. Dr. Cooney is a past President of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and remains active in their organization, including design of their Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certification Program, launched in 2016. She is well-known for her work in companion animal euthanasia and has authored two books on the subject along with numerous articles and book chapters. Dr. Cooney has collaborated in euthanasia training for the AVMA, AAHA, HABRI, IAAHPC, Fear Free Program, and more. Dr. Cooney is a strong advocate for best practices in all aspects of end-of-life care and speaks nationally and internationally on such topics.

Total CE Credit: 10

Tuition: Member $230 ($207 early bird special if enrolled by August 12, 2020)
Non-Member $355 ($319 early bird special if enrolled by August 12, 2020)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on September 2, 2020 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

"This program (22-43652) is approved by the AAVSB RACE to offer a total of 10 CE Credits, with a maximum of 10 CE Credits being available to any individual veterinarian or veterinary technician/technologist. This RACE approval is for the subject matter categories of: Medical, using the delivery method of Interactive-Distance: (Web-based, Teleconference or Audio-Conference). This approval is valid in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE; however, participants are responsible for ascertaining each board's CE requirements."

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357