MARCH 2017 | NEWS & UPDATES
In this issue ... upcoming conferences, spotlight on Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, Instagram contest, updated pet insurance information, and more!
Dr. Cara Blake
President's Message

AARV's Support of Clinical Research

NAVC was a great success, and I would like to acknowledge Carolina Medina for organizing such a fantastic AARV lecture track. Congratulations to Leilani Alvarez as this year's recipient of the John Sherman Award. This is an annual award recognizing an individual for Excellence in the field of Rehabilitation Therapy. This award is made possible by the generous support of Royal Canin. A big thank-you to all the presenters - Dr. Mich Powers, Ms. Wendy Davies, Dr. Leilani Alvarez, Dr. Constanza Alvarez and Mr. Kyle Martin. All of the lectures were interesting and informative!

The grant recipients from 2016 presented the results from their studies:
  • "Evaluating Muscle Strength in Dogs" - Dr. Leilani Alvarez

  • "Postural Sway Parameters in Dogs Undergoing Physical Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Study" - Dr. Constanza Alvarez

  • "Inertial Measurement Units to Objectively Assess Outcome in Dogs Undergoing Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair" - Mr. Kyle Martin
Although the field of veterinary rehabilitation has been around for many years, there is a paucity of data in the literature. Clinical research studies such as these are integral for the advancement of the field. It is through the grant support of studies like these, the AARV hopes will allow members to partake in research projects adding to the body of evidence-based medicine. Developing a research study can be overwhelming and challenging. Courses such as CRI's Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Research are a way to learn how to navigate the process from study inception to manuscript preparation. One of the 2016 AARV grants was awarded to a study designed during the course, demonstrating the direct application and relevance of concepts covered. Research can be frustrating, but asking questions and challenging ourselves leads to continual improvement in our field of veterinary rehabilitation.

We have a large network within our organization that is available to help with research projects. If you would like to get involved in research or need more information on resources that are available for AARV members, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

The AARV will have a booth at VOS, so if you are attending, please stop by.

Warm regards,

Cara Blake signature







Cara Blake, DVM, DACVS-SA, CCRT
Left: Dr. Leilani Alvarez receives the John J. Sherman award for excellence in the field of veterinary rehabilitation from Dr. Brent Mayabb from Royal Canin. Center: Outgoing President Dr. Carolina Medina (at right) hands over the reins to new President Dr. Cara Blake. Right: Dr. Andrea Henderson (at left) wins the Apple Watch at the AARV annual lunch meeting.






Upcoming Conferences

VOS Conference - March 11-18 in Snowbird, Utah

Are you going to the VOS Conference March 11-18 in Snowbird, Utah? Don't miss lectures by these AARV members and stop by our booth as well!
  • Dr. Andrea Looney: Comparison of Sham Versus Actual Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) in Treatment of Canine Elbow Osteoarthritis Pain and Lameness
     
  • Dr. Felix Duerr: State of the Industry Talk - Partners in Veterinary Therapeutics; Veterinary Orthoses and Prostheses - a Surgeon's Perspective
AARV at AAHA - March 30 - April 2 in Nashville

AARV will have a booth at AAHA - please stop by! Don't miss the following AARV members' talks:
  • Dr. Janice Huntingford will be speaking on March 30th for IVAPM in the Pain Management scientific session.
     
  • Mary Ellen Goldberg will be speaking on March 31st in the technician session about rehabilitation.
STAAR - April 29 - Florham Park, New Jersey
 
If you haven't already, sign up for AARV's lecture track at the STAAR conference on April 29, 2017.
 
Drs. Cara Blake, Felix Duerr, Leilani Alvarez and Rick Wall will be presenting.  For more information check out: www.staarconference.com.
 
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet logo
The AARV will also be hosting a social event sponsored by Purina the night of April 29th at STAAR. Please join us for cocktails, food, a raffle drawing and for more information about the AARV and Purina. All STAAR conference attendees are encouraged to come!
Conference Proceedings Available Online

Conference proceedings from AARV lecturers are now available to members. To view the proceedings, log in to the Members Area and go to the Conference Proceedings page.
Integrative Pet Care logo and photo
SPOTLIGHT PRACTICE
Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen

Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen, which opened in 2013 in Homer Glen, Illinois, specializes in rehabilitation, sports medicine and holistic medicine with an emphasis on an integrated approach to animal health. In four short years, IPC Homer Glen has grown from one doctor and one technician to two doctors, two physical therapists and two technicians. We take pride in the work we do and the success of our patients.

Continue reading about Integrative Pet Care of Homer Glen ...
Instagram Photo Contest!

Post an animal rehabilitation photo on your Instagram page, and you could win a free Help 'Em Up harness from Blue Dog Designs. Be sure to tag @rehabvets AND #helpemupharness to be eligible!

Here are the complete rules:
  • The contest starts 3/13/17 at 6 a.m. CST and ends 3/27/17 at 6 a.m. CST.
  • Your image must be posted after the start and before the finish of the contest.
  • One photo per clinic, please.
  • The photo must be from a practice/clinic where at least one AARV member works.
  • You must tag @rehabvets AND #helpemupharness.
  • The image with the most likes wins a Help 'Em Up Harness from Blue Dog Designs.
CRI logo
clinicalresearchInterested in Conducting Clinical Research?

Are you interested in conducting clinical research but don't know where to start?
 
The Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) has created a new online course to demystify clinical research for practicing rehabilitation therapists, interns and residents.  Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Research  is taught by CRI faculty member  Chris Zink, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR who has spent more than 30 years doing research. 
 
The entire process from concept to publication is covered during the 10-week course. You will view online lectures, read assignments, and participate in an online live discussion with Dr. Zink each week. You will develop a research hypothesis that matches your interests and clinical caseloads, and then design, carry out and analyze the data for a pilot study. This course is RACE approved by the AAVSB for 15 credit hours.

There are students from the first course that are now collaborating on studies and have been awarded research grants.
 
AARV members receive a 10% tuition discount. If you have questions or are interested in registering for the next session, email CRI at [email protected].
APRVT letter from president
TECHNICIAN CORNER
Great News!

February 26, 2017

A Letter From The President

The Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians Organizing Committee is pleased to announce recognition by NAVTA for a VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)! We look forward to fulfilling our mission: to provide assistance in veterinary physical rehabilitation, encouraging veterinary professionals and colleagues to further their education, while improving the quality of animals' lives. The VTS (Physical Rehabilitation) looks forward to supporting our colleagues at the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) and veterinarians credentialed in physical rehabilitation with expertise, knowledge and skill while providing a high standard of care to our patients and their families.
Read the complete letter ...

APRVT logo 
Learn More About APRVT

The technicians on the Organizing Committee of the APRVT would love to speak at your clinic or local conference! Contact us at
[email protected] to find someone in your area!

Please visit the APRVT website and social media sites to learn more about us and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter! Do you have an article in mind for the Technician Corner?  Contact Dawn Hickey, LVMT, CCRP, AARV Technician Liaison, to submit an article (suggested length of 200-300 words) or suggest a topic. 
Dog at capitol building
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Veterinary Practice Acts - North Carolina, North Dakota

by Kristyn Richardson, DVM, CCRT, CVSMT
Legislative Liaison

This month we are focusing on North Carolina and North Dakota.

North Carolina
View veterinary practice act

In the veterinary practice act, the definition of "practice of veterinary medicine" is standard and found in many veterinary practice acts. It is interesting that North Carolina goes on to define "veterinary medicine" as:
 
"Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
 
Since the ACVSMR has become an official college and specialty, this means that in North Carolina animal physical rehabilitation can be included in the definition of veterinary medicine and could limit the rehabilitation team. There is a mention of limited licenses in the definition section of the act, but there is no clarification if that is for professionals in other disciplines, such as physical therapy, or if it pertains only to limited licenses for veterinarians in the state.
 
North Dakota
North Dakota is similar in its definition of the "practice of veterinary medicine."
 
8. "Practice of veterinary medicine" means to: a. Diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions. The term includes the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, the use of any manual or mechanical procedure for testing for pregnancy, or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render advice or recommendation with regard to any of the above. b. Represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness to do an act described in subdivision a. c. Use any title, word, abbreviation, or letter in a manner or under circumstances that induce the belief the person using the title, word, abbreviation, or letter is qualified to do any act described in subdivision a. d. Apply principles of environmental sanitation, food inspection, environmental pollution control, animal nutrition, zoonotic disease control, and disaster medicine in the promotion and protection of public health.
 
The definition of veterinary medicine is also similar to North Carolina, but includes more integrative treatments.
 
10. "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, chiropractic, acupuncture, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
 
In both these cases, animal rehabilitation is not specifically mentioned.

See the State Practice Acts page on our website for links to veterinary and physical therapy practice acts.
 
Well, we are done with the "N's." Next time: O and P. Have a good March!
Articles of Interest

The March Articles of Interest are now available for review in the Members Only area of the website. Click here to review this month's as well as past months' articles of interest.
AARV Pet Insurance summary
Pet Insurance Summary Updated

AARV has just released a newly updated version of its summary of pet insurance coverage for rehabilitation services, current as of March 2017.
Grant Opportunities Through the AARV

Check out our past AARV grant winners and keep an eye out for information regarding upcoming research grants here (member log-in required).
Calendar image
Add Your Rehabilitation Event to the AARV Calendar

Do you have an event to add to the AARV calendar? All calendar posts are now free for AARV members.

Please send your calendar event to [email protected] and be sure to include the name of the event, speaker, topic, date, time, location and URL. Rehabilitation related events/classes only, please.

CLASSIFIED AD

Residency in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation 
Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic invites applicants for a sports medicine residency, as we did not find a suitably qualified individual through the VIRMP. The program is directed towards individuals who have completed a 1-year rotating internship or 5+ years in general practice. The residency provides in-depth training in a busy practice where 50% caseload is sporting or working dogs; average daily caseload is 30-45. Training in diagnostic ultrasound, interventional procedures, and advanced use of orthoses and prosthesis is included as part of the residency. Support will be provided for clinical research. The 5000-sq feet facility has a canine sports arena as well as comprehensive rehabilitation equipment including modalities (shockwave, LASER, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, PEMF) and therapeutic exercise equipment (hydrotherapy and land based). The clinic has diagnostic imaging and laboratory services. Regenerative therapies are also used. Adjunct therapies used at the facility include chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy. For more details including compensation and benefits, please email [email protected].


CLASSIFIED AD

Full-Time or Part-Time Physical Therapist or Veterinarian Certified in Rehabilitation Therapy, Glendale, California 
Limehouse Veterinary Clinic is seeking a full-time or part-time Physical Therapist or Veterinarian that is certified in rehabilitation therapy to join our integrative practice. We offer acupuncture, chiropractic, laser therapy, homeopathy, musculoskeletal manipulation as well as physical rehabilitation to our patients. Our large physical rehabilitation room has a separate entrance, Companion underwater treadmill, land treadmill, physioballs, stance analyzer, Companion IV therapy laser, wobble board and foam mats. We already have a base of clients that are utilizing our physical rehabilitation services, and we have plenty of room to grow. Benefits package for full-time including CE allowance, medical insurance and paid vacation. Please contact Natasha Jensen at [email protected] for more information.


CLASSIFIED AD

Part Time to Full Time Rehabilitation Veterinarian (DVM CCRP/CCRT), Charlotte area, North Carolina
Charlotte area stand-alone rehab practice with seasoned staff and great community reputation after 3 years in business. You would be primary practitioner, but the support of a 2nd CCRP allows flexibility in scheduling. A full time schedule of 4.5 days per week pays 80K+ with benefits package. Autonomy is encouraged and current protocols and procedures can be adjusted to your liking. The ideal candidate would also be certified in acupuncture or interested in pursuing this certification.
Please contact Cierra Tabony at [email protected]
Vet-REC: Veterinary Rehabilitation and Exercise Clinic of the Carolinas



CLASSIFIED AD

DVM, CCRP or CCRP Opportunity, Stoughton, Massachusetts
Animotion Animal Rehabilitation Center, Stoughton, MA. about a 30 minute drive south of Boston is seeking a DVM, CCRP or CCRP to add to our team of outstanding professionals. Animotion not only offers state of the art therapies including underwater treadmill, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine options but we have just entered the field of Regenerative Medicine positioning us as a leader in our geographic area in this exciting new aspect of rehab treatments.
By utilizing Stem Cell and PRP injections we are now positioned to offer our clients a treatment option that is less invasive than surgery.
Relocation expenses will be part of a conversation for those candidates interested in relocation.
If you wish to be part of our exciting future and join a team committed to providing cutting edge therapy in a newly remodeled state of the art facility please contact Bruce at: [email protected]
Website: www.animotionanimalrehab.com



Interested in submitting a classified ad or becoming a sponsor?
See the Submit an Advertisement or Sponsorship page on our website.

Please take a moment to visit our sponsors.
TIER 1: EDUCATION AND RESEARCH SPONSORS
Partners in Veterinary Therapeutics ad
Royal Canin banner ad
TIER 2: SPONSORS PROVIDING MEMBER DISCOUNTS
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society: Discount on Certification Course.

To redeem IVAS discount: Contact IVAS for details.
Hudson Aquatic Systems ad

Hudson Aquatic Systems: Receive a FREE UV Water Sanitization System, a $1,500 value, with any new AquaPaws unit purchase.
To redeem Hudson Aquatic Systems discount: Contact [email protected] for more information and to redeem.
FourLegRehabInc.

Four Leg Rehab Inc.: 10% discount on http://www.fourleg.com/Products 

To redeem Four Leg Rehab discount: Email [email protected] to place your purchase and let her know you are an AARV member.
OrthoPets banner ad

OrthoPets: 5% discount

To redeem OrthoPets discount: Contact OrthoPets for details  

Healing Oasis ad

Healing Oasis: 5% discount for AARV members on continuing education seminars  

To redeem Healing Oasis discount: Contact Healing Oasis for details 

Canine Rehabilitation Institute ad

The Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI): 10% off any continuing education course

To redeem CRI discount: Register for any continuing education course, and your discount will be available at 'checkout'
CRCG www.dog-swim.com

CRCG Consulting: $500 off endless pool package and 20% off consulting services

To redeem CRCG discount: Please contact CRCG to purchase equipment or consultation services and let them know you are an AARV member.
TIER 3: ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Dasuquin Advanced ad from Nutramax
Musculoskeletal Therapies for Animals banner ad
Pulse Vet www.pulsevet.com
Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips
Cutting Edge Laser Technologies ad
Chi Institute ad
Gait4Dog banner ad
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