Maria Maddox, BA, CVT, LVT, CCRP, AMCP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
Course Open: March 5, 2020-April 12, 2020Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26, and April 2, 2020; 8:00-9:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course course is focused towards veterinary technicians and support staff interested in physical therapy and rehabilitation of veterinary patients. Participants should have a solid knowledge of anatomy, palpable anatomical landmarks, and intermediate skills in nursing care for hospitalized patients.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval." (22-39351) Course Description:
Physical rehabilitation for animals is rapidly becoming a standard of care in most specialty and university hospitals, as well as in general practice. This course is designed to teach seasoned veterinary technicians and assistants various physical rehabilitation techniques that can immediately be implemented in their clinic for the benefit of their hospitalized patients. It is designed to help technicians have the proper skills to carry out rehab exercises that have been prescribed by the managing veterinarian. Discussion will include charting, pain scales, and therapeutic exercise goals, precautions, and contraindications. Week 1 (Real Time Session March 12): Introduction to Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Understand the veterinary technician’s role as part of the rehab team
- Utilize pain scales to document pain levels in patients.
- Document rehab exercises and outcomes in patient charts.
- Differentiate between proper and improper body mechanics.
- Recognize benefits, contraindications, and treatment parameters for cryotherapy, thermotherapy, and hydrotherapy.
- Select different rehab equipment that can be used with hospitalized patients.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Describe the responses of different tissues to disuse and immobilization.
- Describe the components of a patient’s gait.
- Demonstrate the difference between passive and active ROM, and point out the benefits of each and when one is preferable over the other.
- Assist with supported weight-bearing and gaiting exercises.
- Define goals of rehab for early-stage post-operative orthopedic patients.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Recognize where patients lie on a neurological function spectrum.
- Differentiate between upper and lower motor neuron tone.
- Define goals of rehab for hospitalized neurologic patients.
- Demonstrate knowledge of various techniques utilized to care for the “down” patient.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Assess patient body language for levels of aggression and fear.
- Utilize certain techniques in order to reduce fear and anxiety levels in patients in order to minimize/prevent aggression.
- Prepare a patient for photobiomodulation therapy.
- Effectively apply and use an assistive cart for mobility assistance.
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: There is no required textbook for this course. About the Presenter:
Maria Maddox, BA, LVT, CCRP, AMCP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation – Charter Member) has a B.A. in Biology and graduated with honors from Bel-Rea Institute in 2002. She helped establish the rehabilitation department in one of the country’s largest privately-owned veterinary hospitals in 2005. She earned her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner status from the University of Tennessee in 2006. She has worked in the rehab field for over 8 years, mostly working hands-on with in-hospital and out-patient cases. She has lectured on rehab at the Oquendo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has taught basic rehab techniques to technicians and assistants in Las Vegas and in Okinawa, Japan. She is a member of the organizing committee of the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians (APRVT) and is the head of the membership committee of the APRVT. Total CE Credit: 6
Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by February 20, 2020)
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars. *To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on March 12, 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
VSPN CE Coordinator VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE
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