Course Work
Candidates will be required to take both the introductory and advanced equine rehabilitation courses. The prerequisite for both courses is a license to practice physical therapy in their province (or equivalent). The Independent Learning Course: ‘Introduction to the Equine Patient’ has been created as an additional prerequisite and pre-reading material for the Introduction to Equine Rehab Course.
The Animal Rehabilitation Association of Canada courses are designed to augment PT knowledge and constitute 100 hours of classroom work (plus 100 hours of self-directed study). A description of the courses is found below:
Upcoming Courses
New course dates coming soon.
Examination
Upon completion of the course work above candidates will be eligible to take the examination pertaining to those courses. The take-home exam is based on the Introductory course and the Advanced course (2003 version and later). Those students that took the advanced course prior to this time may challenge the examination. A passing grade of 85% must be achieved.
Case Study
All candidates must submit a case study (an example will be provided) that follows a case through from referral to discharge. It will be two parts, the first based on the veterinary information provided and/or surgical report and referral and the second will be the rehabilitation portion. Cases will be graded on sound rationale for treatment choices, use of outcome measures, timely communication with the referring veterinarian and professional appearance of the report.
Veterinary Clinic / Rehab Practice Observation
All candidates will be required to complete 40 hours (5 days) of veterinary clinical experience. This is intended to give the candidate an appreciation for the veterinary side of animal health care and provide an opportunity to gain animal experience and see many different conditions and diagnostic procedures. Candidates will provide the Animal Rehabilitation Association of Canada with information on which veterinarian / veterinary clinic they will be completing this experience with and the Association will provide the appropriate forms for the veterinary clinic to fill in and sign off on. Past experience will be accepted, but must be verified and signed off on.
Animal Husbandry and Handling Skills
Perhaps most important to successful entry into equine rehabilitation for the physical therapist is the possession of good animal husbandry and handling skills. This category requires the candidate to be “checked off” on a list of skills. Persons qualified to witness and check off the candidate are veterinarians, veterinary technicians, equine trainers or practicing equine rehabilitation practitioners (PTs) with 4 or more years of equine experience. The persons checking off the skills must be someone other than the candidate him/herself! The horses used to test the candidate must be other than the candidates own animal(s). Each skill must be signed and dated and the candidate must provide a contact phone number or e-mail for the Animal Rehab Division to be able to verify authenticity if needed. The Division will provide the necessary forms to be checked-off.
The following skills will need to be demonstrated and witnessed:
- Demonstrate the ability to lead 5 horses who are not one’s own (not all at the same time)
- Identify the presence of a hind limb lameness or gait abnormality
- Identify the presence of a forelimb lameness or gait abnormality
- Identify body condition score
- Demonstrate an ability to calm and restrain an overactive horse
- Demonstrate an ability to halter a horse
- Demonstrate an ability to perform full range of motion of the forelimbs and hind limbs in standing position
- Demonstrate ability to tie at least two of the following knots:
- Weaver’s Knot
- Manger tie
- Bowline
- Clove hitch
- Ring knot
- Double half hitch
- Quick release tie
Safety Issues
All candidates just provide a short written assignment that answers the following questions. Please use references to justify your answers. A combination of literature and/or personal communications is acceptable. (Answers are worth 3 marks per question)
What are common signs of aggression and warning signals displayed by horses?
How would you deal with an aggressive horse?
What are some common triggers for aggressive behaviour?
How would you handle a horse in excessive pain?
What are some calming signals used by horses when stressed?
Expectations and Assumptions
The process to complete the requirements for the Diploma in Equine Rehabilitation is estimated to take 200 hours inclusive. Completion of the necessary course work, veterinary observation experience, written examination, case-study treatment and write-up, animal husbandry and handling requirements, and behavioral short answer questions must be completed within 4 years from the time of taking the Introduction to Equine Rehabilitation Therapy course. A fee of $500 must be submitted along with all of the required documents.
Animal Rehab Division reserves the right to modified and amend the diploma requirements over time as deemed necessary by emerging and evolving standards within the profession and practice of animal physiotherapy.
