Certificate Program in Equine Physical Rehabilitation (CERP)

Academic Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner Program

Language of instruction: English

Learning model: hybrid learning (“blended learning”: a combination of e-learning and face-to-face teaching)

About: The University of Tennessee Certificate Program in Equine Physical Rehabilitation (CERP) is designed to take the practitioner from the theoretical foundations to the clinical applications of equine rehabilitation. The academic CERP program 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.

Prerequisites: The CERP program is open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians/nurses, physical therapists, and students in one of the accepted professions. Proof of degree(s) and/or license(s) must be provided for every profession. Proof of acceptance and documentation showing current enrollment in a qualified academic program must be provided with the initial registration. Successful completion of a professional academic program is required prior to taking the certificate exam.

Curriculum;
The CERP program consists of three modules to be completed in order.

• Equine I is an online lecture series (53 hours) that provides an introduction to equine rehabilitation and therapeutic modalities. Participants will review the regulatory issues involved in this field of practice from the perspective of physical therapists and veterinarians. Among others, basic equine anatomy, gait analysis, conformation, lameness evaluation, neurologic examination, modalities and therapeutic exercises will be reviewed.
• Equine II (5 days, exceptions: Thailand 4 days, UT 7 days) consists of an onsite live animal lab (UT has dissection lab), with intense hands-on lab training and after the lab days, the documentation of two own case studies.
• Equine III is the final CERP exam.

Equine I: Online Lecture Series

The Equine I academic program provides an introduction to equine rehabilitation and therapeutic modalities. Participants 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 will be reviewed. Collaboration between the veterinary and physical therapy professions will be emphasized to enhance the learning experience.

Equine II: Live Hands-on Labs

Equine II provides hands-on laboratory coursework that builds on the academic program material from Equine I lectures. This academic program provides the participant with the basic skills necessary to prescribe and provide rehabilitation programs for the equine patient. A full day of anatomical dissection on equine cadavers will be utilized to emphasize clinically relevant structures. The participant will receive hands-on training of selected physical agent modalities used in equine physical rehabilitation. The following physical agents will be covered: superficial heating and cooling agents (including cold salt water hydrotherapy), manual therapies, electrical therapies (for example: electrical stimulation, therapeutic laser), mechanical therapies (for example: therapeutic ultrasound, shock wave therapy, total body vibration), and therapeutic exercise (including EquiCore System, Underwater Treadmill).

After the lab days participants need to do two clinical equine rehabilitation case reports. The guidelines will be discussed during the lab days, the format will be available in the corresponding CERP module.

Equine III: Final Examination

After successful completion of Equine I and II online lectures and live lab sessions, participants will be eligible for the Final CERP III Exam. The examination will be administered online.

The UT and VAHL academic CERP  program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in specializing in equine rehab and physical therapy. Upon successful completion of the academic program and examination, participants receive the designation of Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner.