So You Want To Become a Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation Technician?

​We are thrilled that you are as excited about the field of Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation as we are! Keen technicians, such as yourself, often comment "I am interested in rehab as a career option.  Where can I learn more?  How do I get started?"  Hopefully this blog provides clear answers and the resources needed to embark on a journey towards becoming a Credentialed Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician and insight into the role and mentorship required to provide patients and owners with safe, effective physical rehabilitation.
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Currently there are three institutions offering certification in Canine Rehabilitation in North America

NorthEast Seminars, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Tennessee offers credentialed veterinary technicians the designation of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) and certificate programs in Osteoarthritis Case Management, Pain Management, and Nutrition.   
The Canine Rehabilitation Institute has courses in both Coral Springs, Florida and Broomfield, Colorado and offers credentialed veterinary technicians the designation of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant (CCRA)  The Healing Oasis Wellness Centre offers courses in Sturtevant, Wisconsin offers credentialed veterinary technicians the designation of Certified Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy (CVMRT)
Currently there are two institutions offering certification in Equine Rehabilitation in North America:  The University of Tennessee offers The Equine Rehabilitation Certificate Program (CERP) in cooperation with Colorado State University Orthopedic Research Center and The Animal Rehabilitation Institute in Loxahatchee, Florida offers credentialed veterinary technicians the designation of Certified Equine Rehabilitation Assistant (CERA)

The role of The Credentialed Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician is clearly defined in The APRVT Code of Ethics found on our website homepage www.aprvt.com

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The veterinary technician credentialed in veterinary physical rehabilitation should strive to promote the advancement of rehabilitation in veterinary medicine, increase public awareness regarding veterinary rehabilitation, promote the development of credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technicians in veterinary medicine and further the professional growth of credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technicians by encouraging education focused on veterinary rehabilitation
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The veterinary technician credentialed in veterinary physical rehabilitation will make every effort to work under the supervision of a credentialed rehabilitation veterinarian. In those states or regions where no credentialed rehabilitation veterinarian is readily available for consultation, the rehabilitation credentialed veterinary technician will, in accordance with individual state practice acts, work under the direct supervision of a state licensed veterinarian who has an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and has seen the patient recently. In addition, the rehabilitation credentialed veterinary technician shall consult with a veterinarian who has a VCPR regarding therapeutic rehabilitation protocols.

Patient care standards should model those described by the American Academy of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV) and credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technicians shall strive to follow those standards by documenting patient trends, including pain scores, at each visit. Any changes in patient pain scoring shall immediately be communicated to the veterinarian with the VCPR. Under direction of the rehabilitation veterinarian or the veterinarian with the VCPR, the credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technician will teach the client how to assess their pet’s pain.
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Credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technicians are not to diagnose, prescribe, or perform procedures that are considered to be the practice of veterinary medicine; and will obey all individual state and regional laws and regulations pertaining to the field of veterinary physical rehabilitation. In addition, credentialed veterinary technicians shall participate in annual continuing education in the field of veterinary physical rehabilitation or pain management. In those states or regions where continuing education is mandatory for veterinary technician state licensure, at least half of the hours required by the state shall be in veterinary physical rehabilitation or pain management.​

We strongly encourage all technicians with an interest in Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation to join The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians as a Veterinary Technician Member.  

We strongly encourage credentialed technicians to explore our website www.aprvt.com join our mailing list by submitting their email address on our website, to learn about the credentialing requirements, and what they can do to start preparing for the examination process. 

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