Admission Requirements
Program Specific Requirements
Companion Animal Physical Rehabilitation Requirements
General Admission Requirements
- Graduate of a Veterinary Technician program.
- Proof of rabies vaccination, showing a current protective titre.
- Some experience in a veterinary clinic or hospital is considered an asset.
Additional Information
Our Veterinary Technician program is accredited by:
What you learn
This course covers legalities, goals, benefits and applications to common orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
The pathophysiology of pain is covered in depth in this course. Pain sensation, transduction, transmission and perception are discussed, together with ways by which pain pathways can be interrupted. The complementary role of analgesics in contributing to successful companion animal rehabilitation is explored. Students learn about the benefits and risks of specific analgesics that a veterinarian may prescribe to companion animals.
This course reviews the various modalities available for canine physical rehabilitation. These include techniques such as stretching, strengthening and proprioception exercises, application of heat and cold packs, analgesics and massage. These techniques will be applied in a laboratory setting to selected cases.
Focusing on canine anatomy, directional terminology, anatomic planes, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, this course will be, an in-depth study requiring students to name and explain the function of the components of the skeletal system, including joints, ligaments and tendons, muscle origins and insertions, muscle function and muscle innervation and blood supply. Lectures will be accompanied by a laboratory component requiring the anatomically correct construction of a Canican model using plasticine to construct muscles, ligaments and tendons. The models will be accurately labeled for all the major skeletal and muscle structures.
This course covers the theory of companion animal massage. Upon the completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of the concepts of massage. The pathophysiology of common neurologic and orthopedic conditions is covered. Conditions that accompany ageing in canines are covered in detail. Common therapies that may be used in the rehabilitation of each condition will be discussed and students will design physical rehabilitation protocols and treatment schedules based on individual case details. Students will develop the ability to formulate treatment objectives and plans for specific conditions. The students will be expected to apply their knowledge and skills developed in previous companion animal anatomy and physiology, communication and behaviour courses.
The student would learn how to conduct a neurological and orthopaedic examination on dogs in order to assess gait, posture and movement. Topics would include assessing range of motion and assigning a lameness score. Review of the importance of palpation in order to detect swellings and lumps will be emphasized. Videos or live demonstrations will be used to demonstrate normal and abnormal canine gaits.
The student is introduced to the concepts and use of electric stimulation (E-stim), low level laser and ultrasound as applied to canine physiotherapy.
In this course students will apply skills learned in previous courses to companion animal patients with orthopedic and neurological dysfunction. Assessments, design and implementation of rehabilitation protocols will be carried out in a collaborative environment.
Focusing on muscle, cartilage, bone, the nervous system and lymphatics. This is an in-depth course requiring students to name origins and insertions of individual muscles and their function. Lectures would be accompanied by a laboratory component requiring identification of individual muscle groups on live animals, as well as dissection of fresh or preserved animal bodies.
The students will use theory that has been taught in Companion Animal Massage RE1022 to apply to their case studies. Massage techniques, friction techniques and using cryo/thermotherapy will be delivered to their patients. Students will be taught different massage routines and how and when to apply them to their patient. This course is hands on, and incorporates the importance of communicating with their patient, but also working in a group setting.
The pathophysiology of common neurologic and orthopedic conditions is covered. Conditions that accompany ageing in canines are covered in detail. Common therapies that may be used in the rehabilitation of each condition will be discussed and students will design physical rehabilitation protocols and treatment schedules based on individual case details.
This course will introduce students to the fundamental approach to starting and managing a small business in Canada. An examination of what is necessary to start a small business will encompass strategic areas such as goal setting, organizational set-up, financial planning, accounting, marketing, human resources and legal issues.
This general education course will provide students with an introduction to Canadian Indigenous Nations’ history, sovereignty, land titles, cultural history and current critical issues. Topics addressed include the content of Indigenous rights, economic and social development, community and political processes, and business law and policies, justice & social services. Canadian Indigenous History and Relations is a general education course that has been incorporated into all programs at Northern College.
The student learns to apply the principles of aquatic therapy in its various delivery methods to develop protocols for individual cases based on patient assessment.