How to Become Certified in Veterinary Rehabilitation

Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRA, certified veterinary pain practitioner with VetMedTeam, LLC., discusses how to follow the path of becoming certified in veterinary rehabilitation.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“The first thing that I would suggest is to look at the schools. The Canine Rehabilitation Institute is in Florida, the University of Tennessee has both a canine and an equine program, there is a school called the Animal Rehabilitation Institute in Florida, also. And there is a program, it’s Healing Oasis, and you can become certified in rehabilitation through that program.

I’d advise people to go on the websites—look at the program, look at the cost. With technicians going through, generally their veterinarian has to sign a waiver for them to be able to participate. That is to show that they’re not going to go off and start a business by themselves, so that it wouldn’t be breaking any of the laws, the state laws, of practicing as a veterinarian. So, we are not allowed to diagnose, prescribe, or do surgery. Theoretically, you have your own business you could say that I’m diagnosing and prescribing by what I’m doing by myself. That’s not what technicians are allowed to do. So, you’re doing it under the direction of veterinarians, and I would start by looking at the schools and seeing what’s affordable, what’s not, and many times the technician is sent … the veterinarian pays for them to go so they will have someone. It’s very expensive, it’s about $6000 to go through the program and most technicians don’t have that kind of money to spend.”