Language of instruction: ENGLISH
The University of Tennessee Equine Rehabilitation Certificate Program (CERP) was the first university-based credential program in equine physical medicine and rehabilitation worldwide. This prestigious hybrid learning model (a combination of e-learning and face-to-face teaching) is recognized as the premiere program in equine rehabilitation globally. Our goal for students is to become the best in this important and rewarding field. This requires full commitment to the program and is supported by VAHL/UT in many ways.
About
Rehabilitation of horses with orthopedic injuries has evolved tremendously in the recent years and many new modalities and treatment options are available on the veterinary market now. Rehabilitation programs can be tailored to horses of any age, breed or discipline to shorten recovery time, maintain function, promote performance and ensure an overall optimal quality of life.
With the academic Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP) Program students will learn methods to effectively evaluate and treat horses with various debilitating conditions to facilitate a faster and complete recovery.
The academic CERP program provides students with the essential qualifications and tools to become an effective university-credentialed Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Students will be taught through a blended learning environment that includes e-learning and onsite lab days. It allows you to study at your own pace with maximum flexibility.
The academic CERP program is successfully implemented by the University of Tennessee since 2005. In 2019, CERP was introduced by UT and VAHL in Europe. The CERP Program ensures the highest standards of teaching and support. The curriculum draws from ongoing research, evidence-based case studies, clinical experience, and leading companies in the fields of veterinary medicine.
The CERP program trains to review among others equine anatomy, gait analysis, confirmation, lameness evaluation, and neurologic examination. Graduates of this course have received training for identifying which therapeutic modality is most appropriate for certain circumstances and hands-on training for the best method of application.
Graduates of the academic CERP program appreciate the admission standards and academic standards that continue to ensure that the CERP credential is recognized and respected around the world.
Why choose the CERP Program?
Injuries and orthopedic/neurologic conditions are common in athletic horses. The academic CERP program is designed to guide the practitioner from the theoretical foundations to the clinical applications of equine rehabilitation in physical medicine and helps you to become a specialist in the growing field of equine rehabilitation and sports medicine.
Program advantages:
- Blended learning concept:
The combination of evidence-based theoretical knowledge, up-to-date research information with an interactive onsite live animal lab ensures maximum flexibility and learning outcome. - Commitment to presenting a comprehensive curriculum:
The curriculum draws from ongoing research, evidence-based case studies and clinical experience. - Emphasis on evidence-based medicine:
Access to the latest clinical and laboratory research results presented by faculty who have performed research directly applicable to case management, often prior to publication. - Commitment to presenting a comprehensive curriculum:
The curriculum draws from ongoing research, best practice examples and practical experience, taking into account clinical and animal welfare aspects. - Individualized feedback and assistance:
Instructors are committed to interactive collaboration with students during and after completing the academic CERP program. - Worldwide accredited speakers:
The instructor team includes active university instructors, expert clinicians and researchers. - Consideration of learning types:
The learning content is set up in a way that all learning types (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, communicative, media-oriented and mix-types) benefit. - Small group work:
Hands-on learning in small working groups under the supervision of experts. - Business development:
Learn tools to build up a successful business in the field of equine rehabilitation and sports medicine. - Wordwide recognized designation:
Upon successful completion of the program and examination, participants receive the title Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP)
Program Details
Equine I · Online Lecture Series
Part 1
Part 1 provides an introduction to equine rehabilitation and therapeutic modalities.
The participant will review the regulatory issues involved in this field of practice from the perspective of physical therapists and veterinarians. Basic equine anatomy, gait analysis, conformation, lameness evaluation and neurologic examination are being addressed. Quizzes at the end of each unit test the aquired knowledge and can be repeated.
Topics of the units are:
- Overview of Equine Rehab
- Status of Equine Rehab and Level of Scientific Validation
- Legal Issues
- Management Practices and Equine Rehabilitation
- Equine Conformation
- Physical Examination of the Horse
- Equine Neurological Exam
- Equine Applied Anatomy: Appendicular
- Gait
- Equine Gait Analysis
- Practical Approach to Lameness Diagnosis
- Equine Aquatic Therapy
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Manual Therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Thermotherapy
- Equine Shockwave Therapy
- Low Level Laser
- tPMF
- Equine Cervical Mobilization Manipulation
- Research Paper Reviews
Part 2
Part 2 will review conditions amennable to rehabilitation. It will provide the participant with the basic knowledge of equine tendons, ligaments, bones, and joint disorders that are amenable to physical therapy. Response to injury and healing will be reviewed as well as selection of appropriate therapeutic modality. Important concepts introduced in lectures will be reinforced with cadaver limb dissection laboratories (dissection only at UT).
Topics of the units are:
- Equine Neurology: The Diseases
- Wound Management
- Lameness Conditions of the Equine Foot
- Tendon & Ligament Disorders
- Common Equine Muscle Problems
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Equine Regenerative Medicine
- Equine Applied Anatomy – Axial Skeleton
- Principles and Practise of Equine Manual Therapy
- Equine Spinal Examination: Thoracolumbar Region
- Equine Spinal Examination: Head and Cervical Region
- Equine Spinal Examination:: Sacropelvic and Tail Regions
- Equine Spinal Pathology
- Osseus Pathology
- Equine Spinal Research
- Effects of Saddle, Rad and Rider,
- Management of Equine Joint Disease
- Developmental Orthopaedic Disease
- Equine Rehab Assessment
- Evaluation and Rehab of Stifle Dysfunction
- Equine Core Stability
- Performance Enhancement
- Equine Business Development
- Case Report Presentation
- Quizzes at the end of each unit test the aquired knowledge.
The Equine I module will provide the participant will the skills necessary to design and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation program for commonly seen musculoskeletal, integumentary and neurologic conditions in the horse.
Equine I will be complimented by live animal, hands-on labs in module Equine II, the clinical onsite lab.
Equine II · Onsite Lab Days (5 days)
Exceptions: lab days conducted at universities and in Thailand
Equine II clinical lab days provide hands on laboratory coursework that build on the course material from Equine I lectures. This course will provide the participant with the basic skills necessary to prescribe and provide rehabilitation programs for the equine patient. At UT two full days of anatomical dissection on equine cadavers are offered as an add-on and are utilized to emphasize clinically relevant structures. At all course venues the participant will receive intense hands on training. Physical interventions and modalities (e.g., therapeutic laser, TENS, therapeutic ultrasound) used in equine physical rehabilitation are demonstrated and applied. Manual therapies, therapeutic exercises are also part of the training and even the underwater treadmill is introduced.
Clinical cases are worked up in teamwork. The collaboration between the veterinary and physical therapy professions enhances the learning experience.
Equine III · Case Reports and Final Examination
After successful completion of Equine I online lectures and Equine II onsite clinical lab days, students are eligible to attend the Equine III module, which consists of case reports and the final examination.
- Participants must prepare two written clinical equine rehabilitation case reports for submission prior to taking the final CERP online examination.
- Participants are being provided the case study format
- The final CERP examination consists of 100 multiple choice questions in total. For your convenience they are divided into 2 examination blocks, that will be available at the same time and only for 1 week. You can take block 1 and then you can take block 2 later that same day or later in the week.
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Students must complete both the online and the hands-on lab courses to receive the CERP credential. Successful completion requirements include passing grades for both the online exam and 2 case studies. Attendees who pass all requirements will receive a certificate from the University of Tennessee
Prerequisites
The program is open to the following:
- Veterinarians
- Physical Therapists
- Veterinary Technicians / Nurses
- Students in one of the eligible professions*
- Proof of degree(s) and/or license(s) is required.
*Students must have completed at least one year of their education before enrolling into the academic CCRP program. Proof of enrollment must be made available. A successful completion of the degree is required prior to taking the certification exam.
Other important information:
- For the practice of the profession, please refer to your national requirements.
Cost
The tuition for the academic CERP program is € 7.995,- (taxes, where applicable).
Installments are possible.
Tuition includes:
- Access to the online learning platform for the e-learning
- Clinical on-site lab days
- Inclusive catering during the lab days
- Evaluation of case studies
- Final exam
- CERP certificate
Not included are:
- Travel and accommodation expenses
Contact
Please contact us:
- VAHL headquarter, Office team: office@vahl-academy.com
- VAHL North America, Corrie Bexley: office@utvetrehab.com
- Course director (UT), Dr. Steve Adair: sadair@utk.edu