Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians (APRVT)

VMX 2018: Educating, Learning,Collaborating and Networking #VetRehabTechs Style

2/11/2018

The APRVT VetRehabTechs are pleased to report the VMX program was everything we expected it to be and MORE! We had a great time learning, sharing rehab information, and networking at VMX (The Veterinary Meeting and Expo, formerly known as the NAVC conference). APRVT Chief Executive Assistant and Examination Committee Chair and National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) 2017 Veterinary Technician of the year, Mary Ellen Goldberg's lecture "What's Your Super Power?" was part of The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management Pre-Symposium.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer, NAVTA Organizing Committee Liaison and Credentialing and Case Review Chair, Kristen Hagler, provided the following lectures in the Technician: Progressive Knowledge Track:

Animal Rehabilitation: Orthopedic Evaluation for The Vet Tech
Service Dog 101 for Veterinary Technicians: Beyond The Leash and Hospitalization
What's Your Super Tech Power? Veterinary Technicians and Physical Rehabilitation
Walking on Water - 1001 Ways to Utilize Your Underwater Treadmill

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor Respond Systems Inc for their generous sponsorship of our business meeting dinner and breakfast. Fun Fact: #vetrehabtechs learn best when their brains are fueled with delicious food. Thank you!!!

We are pleased to let you know we had a very productive inaugural Member Meeting with many visitors from The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians and Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians. The APRVT is grateful for the ongoing support from our veterinarian teammates for sharing the expo hall booth and lecture hall time for some fun and exciting news!

Make sure to check the www.aprvt.com for up to date application and mentor packets. If you have questions please contact the credentialing chair at [email protected]

Stay tuned for more CE opportunities this year! We will be busy!

Happy New Year from the APRVT!

1/4/2018

It’s s new year and the academy of physical rehabilitation veterinary technicians is excited! We have received six applications from qualified candidates, which is validation of a need in our specialty for additional credentialing for expert veterinary technicians. Each of them has worked extremely hard with their veterinarian mentors and asked very good questions to help the class of 2019. We thank you and best of luck, we hope to see you at the examination in Las Vegas in August,

The pre-application deadline has also passed and we look forward to working with the future class of 2019. For those who are still considering joining in future application cycles, make sure to read the updated version of the Academy bylaws which will be released after our first annual business meeting at VMX-NAVC in Orlando, Florida. Will you be there? We will!

What’s happening at VMX-NAVC?

Lectures:

Kristen Hagler will be speaking all day on Tuesday in the Veterinary Technician Track on topics covering Underwater Treadmill Tricks, Orthopedic Evaluations for Veterinary Technician’s, Working with Service Dogs in the Hospital Setting and the role of Veterinary Technicians in Physical Rehabilitation.
Mary Ellen Goldberg will be representing the APRVT at the IVAPM pre-symposium track speaking on modalities within the scope of the Veterinary Technician and the role veterinary technicians play in patient pain management advocacy Sunday Morning and Afternoon

VMX-NAVC Convention Hall:

The APRVT will be helping the AARV with the convention hall booth this year. Please come visit us if you are thinking of joining the APRVT or have questions as a Technician associate member. We will have some awesome swag give away that you don’t want to miss!

Business Meeting:

The APRVT will be giving a short presentation including business updates, goals for the year and how we continue to help members fulfill the Academy mission of providing assistance in physical rehabilitation and containing education to our colleagues and the public. We have some exciting member benefits to announce and look forward seeing you.

Finally, we can’t thank our sponsors enough for their support. Please read for more about how Assisi loop and Respond Systems veterinary laser is helping a Pigmy Goat named Windy in our Blog posting recover from extensive burn wounds - Windy is breezing through healing with these modalities!

Meet Windy the Goat

1/2/2018

Signalment: Burn wounds to the dorsum of her coat secondary to wildfire
Medications: topical cream - Animal Scents
Therapeutic Modalities: Low level laser therapy (Respond Systems 2400VS, 500mW, 808nm and Assisi Animal Health tPEMF 2.0 20cm loop
Prescriptive Therapies:
Therapeutic laser every 2-3 days until healing, 2-3 Joules per cm2, frequency 172pps-584pps)
tPEMF q4-6 hours until healing observed

Summary: Windy presented for therapeutic laser services to assist in healing the large wound on her back. She was severely burned by a wildfire and remained in the care of a veterinarian for 4 weeks prior to presentation who performed initial wound management. Oral medications included Meloxican PO SID (mg/kg not discussed as patient's oral medications were being managed by the large animal veterinarian). It was recommended for Windy to start Gabapentin 10mg/kg PO q8-12 hours for pain and to check with her primary care provider but owner declined. The wound is kept covered by a blanket after application of over the counter topical cream (Animal Scents) and cleaned with baby wipes BID. When possible the wound is left without a covering to allow air to it. When covered, the blanket also served to protect Windy's back from the other goats in the household from jumping on her back. At the time of this writing Windy is receiving therapeutic laser every 2-3 days and tPEMF at least SID (up to TID when possible) and will continue until healed. We have seen remarkable progress since starting treatments December 14th, 2017.

So You Want To Become a Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation Technician?

4/11/2017

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Let's Get Social: Please 'like' and 'follow' us! We're pretty much everywhere!

Fenzi Dog SPort Academy #CPCFT Camp? What's It All ABout?

10/12/2016

Jenn Panko, APRVT Communications and Information Technology Chair, traveled to Colchester Connecticut to join The Wizard of Paws and Toto Fit Team to assist with the practical component of The Gold Level Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer Program. The teaching team was comprised of Dr. Debbie Gross, DPT, MSPT, Diplomat ABPTS, CCRP, Dr. Matt Brunke, DVM, CVRPP, CVA, CVPP, Maureen Connors, PTA, CCRP, and Jenn Panko RVT, CCRP, OCMC, CAPMC. This event was coordinated by Martha McCormick, The Bernese Mountain Dog and #purple #TotoFit Queen and Dedicated Professional Canine Fitness Trainer! Here is a sneak video peek behind the scenes:

This event occurred during #IVAPManimalpainawarenessmonth so she during her flights Jenn was able to catch up on some reading. Her book of choice? Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses Edited by APRVT's own Mary Ellen Goldberg and Pain Management Superstar Nancy Shaffran.

The #CPCFT students were excited to put the canine fitness theory they learned from Dr. Deb in The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Canine Fitness Trainer Certificate Program into practice through palpation, fitness assessment, and program planning sessions. As always The #TotoFit Pyramids and #KeepItSimple #KeepItSafe motto provided a solid foundation and framework to create fitness programs with logical exercise progression that #BuildBetterDogs and work towards achieving #BalanceToTheCore. Sunday we enjoyed a trip to The Smarty Dog Center to observe fitness and core conditioning classes in action! Thank you Lynn and The Smarty Dog Team! The rest of the afternoon was spent learning about marketing, self promotion, working with cats (Jenn loves cats!) and use of social media followed by more fun at The Wizard of Paws in their Toto Fit Dog Gym and learning about underwater treadmill and land treadmill use.

Jenn loves whippets and The Infinity Mountain!
Dr. Debbie and Martha demonstrating controlled plyometric exercise.
Measuring thigh girth muscle mass with Jenn
Sweet Pea enjoying some Dr. Matt and Jenn time!

1. Dr. Matt Brunke working with students through examination, assessment, and palpation sessions with wonderful dog Penny!
2. Safely increasing the balance and strength challenge for the dog who is able to do advanced core training. Some innovative exercises shared with the CPCFT Workshop attendees who watched and felt first-hand how intensely this elevated exercise works a dog's muscles. Dr. Debbie's "Wobble Bridge"
Thanks, Noelle Nerat Chaltry of No Limits Canine Fitness for sharing this photo of KARA, Martha's, Bernese Mountain Dog
3. Dr. Matt Brunke explaining safe and logical progression of a core strengthening and balance program.

September is IVAPM Animal Pain Awareness Month. What are YOU going to "Tech" about it?

9/11/2016

Hello #VetRehabTechs!
We are excited to be celebrating The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) #AnimalPainAwarenessMonth.
........and we want to know what you are going to "tech" about it?

Tech about it?
What does that mean? It means Technicians "do" things. We make important things like veterinary pain management and rehabilitation happen!
It's our job and who we are!

The #APRVT's Top Ten Things You can "Tech" about #animalpainawareness

#1 Pain Assessment: Every patient. Every time. The 2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats states that "Pain management is central to veterinary practice, alleviating pain, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing both quality of life and the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. The management of pain requires a continuum of care that includes anticipation, early intervention, and evaluation of response on an individual-patient basis. The guidelines include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities to manage pain; they are evidence-based insofar as possible and otherwise represent a consensus of expert opinion. Behavioral changes are currently the principal indicator of pain and its course of improvement or progression, and the basis for recently validated pain scores. A team-oriented approach, including the owner, is essential for maximizing the recognition, prevention, and treatment of pain in animals." Canine, feline, and equine pain assessment charts and information about signs of pain can be found on the IVAPM website.

#APRVT Tech Tip: Pick a universal scoring system for use within the entire practice. Discuss cases and assess patients together so everyone is speaking the same language. Have copies of scoring systems to share with clients so they understand and can accurately interpret their pets pain score. Assess pet pain at every visit. Anticipate procedures and situations that may be painful. and be ready to prevent or address pain as it occurs.

#2 Continuing Education: It's Up To You to Advance Your Skills and Knowledge
We recommend upgrading your pain management skills and knowledge through continuing education at conferences, seminars provided by product representatives, and courses and lectures provided by specialists in rehabilitation, pain management, and anesthesia. The University of Tennessee offers Certificates in both Companion Animal Pain Management (CAPMC) and Osteoarthritis Case Management (OCMC)

#3 Memberships
Here are some organizations that you can become a member of to stay up to date about Veterinary Pain Management and Veterinary Rehabilitation

#4 Certifications
Have you explored the options of becoming Certified in Veterinary Pain Management? The Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner Designation may be for you!

Click the picture to find out HOW!

#5 Social Media A picture says a thousand words! Sharing case studies and treatment options (with client permission) can start the conversation inspire clients to pick up the phone and book an appointment! From left to right we have Respond Systems Laser Therapy, Acupuncture at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, Pulse Vet Shockwave, and an Assisi Loop in action! Click on the pictures to see the social media posts.

#6 Client Education Empower your clients to be part of the pain management team by providing visual resources and literature on a variety of pain management topics including assessment.

#7 Pain Management Rounds

Ways to Make Pain Management Rounds Happen:

Start a weekly journal club
Present a weekly case in staff meetings
Join the conversation at VSPN
Have pain management product representatives in to your practice to talk about how their products could benefit your patients

#8 Weight Loss Program
Starting a weight loss program can be a great way to combat joint disease and mobility issues in our patients. Meet #APRVT's own #RockinRhonda. A year ago she was a 22lb cat who could only take 5 steps before sitting down. She had a plantigrade stance her her belly fat dragged on the ground. After one year of a multimodal pain management, osteoarthritis, and weight loss program she is 9.7lbs and a happy active cat! Read her story by visiting #TheSPAW Blog

Look what one year can do!

#9 Multimodal Osteoarthritis Management Program

Providing your clients with options to manage their pets osteoarthritis will not only improve their pets mobility but improve their relationship with their pet! Pet owners love to be active with their pets!

#10 Read, Share. Talk. Ask Questions!
Involve yourself in the #animalpainawareness discussion. Ask questions, read articles, books, and blog posts. Critically evaluate all sources of information, construction of studies, and research methods. Have open discussions with your colleagues and clients about pain assessment, challenges, options, success, and areas needing improvment. Together we can "tech" a lot about #animalpainawareness. :)

#VeterinaryTechnicianTakeover 2016 CONTEST

6/26/2016

Who doesn't want to WIN in VEGAS?
Play the #APRVT Swag Game to Win Your Own Copy of Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Second Edition, Millis and Levine

Let's celebrate the important role continuing education plays in the ability of #vetrehabtechs to improve patient mobility, fitness, pain management, and weight loss by sharing photos of #VTSswag in action at The 2016 Veterinary Technician Symposium June 27th-29th at The Oquendo Center, Las Vegas Nevada. Post a photo of swag from any VTS academy having fun in Las Vegas to this post on The #APRVT Facebook Page and the photo that has the most 'likes' by 5pm PST Wednesday June 29th 2016 will win a copy of Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy by Darryl L. Millis and David Levine.

Earl: A Feline Rehabilitation Story Featuring The #AssisiLoop #PEMF #AssisiAnimalHealth #TheLoop

5/29/2016

Meet Earl:
13yr old neutered male Persian cross

Diagnosis:
Acute on chronic kidney failure
Episode of Hypoxemia
Anemia
IMHA
IBD
Chronic Pancreatitis
Idiopathic Hypercalcemia
Secondary nosocomial infections including MRSA (external ears) and proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa
Right OA/hip dysplasia
IVDD

Earl's Treatment Plan:

Medications
Daily: Prednisolone, Carafate, Gabapentin, Prilosec, Cerenia, Metronidazole, Aluminum Hydroxide
Weekly: Darbepoetin, Vitamin B12 injections,
If needed:
Oral Buprenex
Tacrolimus topical for PNOE
Mupirocin topical for MRSA
Allergies to chicken and poultry

Supplements:
Daily: Folic Acid, Taurine, Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, 380ml H2O
Weekly/Monthly: Adequan, Diatomaceous Earth

Earl's Rehabilitation Plan:

PEMF Therapy (Assisi Loop), Low Level Laser Therapy

Controlled leash walks 3x daily, stair climbing/inclines, sit to stands with raised front paws, balance ball for core strength/postural muscle balance, lateral flexion and bowing exercise on balance ball, massage therapy/myofascial release, mobilization

Lis Conarton, BS, LVT, CCRP, CVPP
APRVT Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
and Proud Mom of Earl tells us more..........

I am a licensed veterinary technician certified in rehabilitation and pain management. . Our family adopted Earl at 1and 1/2 years of age from a lovely couple who lived on a dairy farm. He was not the savviest of kitties and often ate poisonous plants and leaves becoming very ill multiple times throughout his young adulthood while living on the farm.

Earl was diagnosed with hip OA and IVDD at 5 years of age. Since OA was recognized (through radiographs and symptoms) Adequan was started at the loading dose after his diagnosis. Earl would not accept many supplements (we tried dasuquin, duralactin, fish oil, etc) and he would not eat it with wet food or pill pockets. Adding supplements to his diet caused food aversion and he does not tolerate being pilled. We were looking for additional home treatments to aid in reduction of symptoms of OA and IVDD related discomfort so we began Assisi loop therapy for IVDD/hip OA. This was the only change at this point in his life and he remained active and had low pain scoring and minimal symptoms.

#TechnicianTakeOver WVC Veterinary Technician Symposium 2016

5/29/2016

The #APRVT is excited to announce that our very own President, Kristen Hagler and Vice-President Wendy Davies are instructors at
The WVC 2016 Veterinary Technician Symposium
June 27-29, 2016 | Oquendo Center | Las Vegas

Here is a sneak peek of one of Kristen's featured case studies:

#TechnicianTakeover! At 16 weeks old, Dustin, a yellow Lab, had an accident in puppy class, which resulted in a spiral fracture of his right distal tibia. In physical rehab, Dustin’s goals were to rebuild his muscle mass and core strength, improve his gait and balance and coordination… But where to start?
Kristen Hagler, BS, RVT, CCRP, CVPP, OACM, CBW, (a symposium instructor), decided that treadmills, both underwater and on land, were the best course of action. Underwater treadmills help improve strength, provides resistance and helps relieve weight, while the land treadmill helps develop pertinent muscles, and assists with gait and joint awareness.

Dustin is now a happy and healthy 4-year-old who continues his work in rehab!
To hear more from Kristen register for #VTS2016 here: http://www.wvc.org/vts/

Tech about it? What does that mean? It means Technicians "do" things. We make important things like veterinary pain management and rehabilitation happen! It's our job and who we are!

The #APRVT's Top Ten Things You can "Tech" about #animalpainawareness

Who doesn't want to WIN in VEGAS? Play the #APRVT Swag Game to Win Your Own Copy of Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Second Edition, Millis and Levine

The #APRVT is excited to announce that our very own President, Kristen Hagler and Vice-President Wendy Davies are instructors at The WVC 2016 Veterinary Technician Symposium June 27-29, 2016 | Oquendo Center | Las Vegas

Here is a sneak peek of one of Kristen's featured case studies:

Tech about it?
What does that mean? It means Technicians "do" things. We make important things like veterinary pain management and rehabilitation happen!
It's our job and who we are!

Who doesn't want to WIN in VEGAS?
Play the #APRVT Swag Game to Win Your Own Copy of Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Second Edition, Millis and Levine

The #APRVT is excited to announce that our very own President, Kristen Hagler and Vice-President Wendy Davies are instructors at
The WVC 2016 Veterinary Technician Symposium
June 27-29, 2016 | Oquendo Center | Las Vegas