This course is brought to you by UT/VAHL

This hands-on workshop offers a practical framework for applying rehabilitation techniques that reduce recovery time, restore functional movement, and support safe return to sport or work. Participants will explore the full rehab timeline - from early intervention and pain management through to late-stage strength rebuilding and return-to-sport criteria. Topics include healing phase-specific exercise selection, modality integration (e.g., laser, ESWT, etc), and how rehab planning fits into a dog’s long-term performance goals. Case-based group work allows participants to build real-world treatment plans and compare strategies. Practical rehab circuits provide guided experience with range of motion, neuromuscular re-education, and functional strength drills. Attendees leave with a 5-step implementation toolkit to immediately apply rehab principles in clinical or performance settings.

Core Objective: Provide a clear, hands-on framework for applying rehabilitation techniques that control pain, shorten recovery time, and return dogs to sport/work safely and effectively.

Key Outcomes:

Apply evidence-based rehab principles to a variety of injuries and post-surgical cases.
Confidently select and progress exercises and modalities for different healing phases.
Understand how rehab integrates into the dog’s long-term performance plan.

Structure:

Rehab’s Role in the Canine Athlete’s Career
- How early intervention changes prognosis.
- Linking rehab and long-term performance sustainability.
Pain Management & Healing Physiology
- Understanding pain pathways and their rehab implications.
- When and how to use modalities to support tissue repair.
Post-Injury/Post-Surgical Protocol Design
- Criteria for starting active rehab.
- Structuring early, mid, and late-phase programs.
- Return-to-sport testing & criteria.
Hands-On Rehab Circuits
- Strength rebuilding drills.
- Range of motion and flexibility work.
- Neuromuscular re-education.
- Controlled use of equipment (laser, PEMF, ESWT, balance tools, hydrotherapy models if feasible).
Case-Based Learning
- 2–3 real cases from initial injury to full return.
- Participants work in groups to propose a plan, then compare with expert approach.
Take-Home Implementation Toolkit
- 5 steps to successfully integrate rehab into practice.
- Tracking progress & client communication tips.

Jana Gams

DVM, CCRP
Founder & Owner, Dogs4motion Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine in Slovenia, Europe Dr. Jana Gams is presenting on behalf of the Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning and in cooperation with STAAR Conference.

Jana Gams, DVM, CCRP is a veterinarian and the founder of Dogs4motion Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine in Slovenia, Europe, where she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on rehabilitation, performance conditioning, and recovery strategies for dogs of all life stages and activity levels—from post-injury recoveries to elite canine athletes preparing for top-level competitions such as the World Agility, FCI Obedience, and IGP Championships.

She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana in 2017 and completed the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) program through the University of Tennessee in 2019. Jana frequently lectures at events across Europe and internationally, and serves as an instructor in both the CCRP and CCFT programs, sharing her expertise in functional recovery, performance optimization, and injury prevention.

An active competitor herself in agility and FCI obedience at the international level, Jana brings a unique dual perspective to her work—blending real-world experience in dog sports with advanced clinical knowledge. Through the Dogs4motion Academy, she creates educational resources for dog owners, trainers, and professionals around the world, empowering them with evidence-based, practical knowledge to support their dogs’ movement and well-being.

Dawn Hickey Rector

LVMT, VTS (Phys Rehab), CCRP, CVPP, CCFT
Curriculum Developer & Instructor, VAHL; Rehab Tech, UT Small Animal Rehab Dept. Dawn Rector is presenting on behalf of the Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning and in cooperation with STAAR Conference.

Dawn H. Rector, LVMT, VTS (Physical Rehab), CCRP, CVPP, CCFT graduated from Columbia State Community College with an AAS in Veterinary Technology. After a one-year internship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, earning the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) title, she was employed at Animalia Health and Wellness in Franklin, TN and was instrumental in the development of their rehabilitation practice. In 2014, Dawn moved to Knoxville to become the lead technician in the Small Animal Rehabilitation Department at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed the University of Tennessee’s Companion Animal Pain Management Certificate Program in 2016. In 2017, she became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) and a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) . Dawn earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) title in Physical Rehabilitation in 2018. She completed the University of Tennessee’s Osteoarthritis Case Manager Certificate Program in 2020 and received special training in Canine Myofascial Trigger Points through Myopain Seminars.

As an instructor in both the CCRP and CCFT programs, she enjoys teaching and spreading her love and enthusiasm for animal rehabilitation with students. Dawn is a member of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV), Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians (APRVT), International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT). International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM), National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and the Tennessee Veterinary Technician Association (TVTA). Her particular areas of interest in physical rehabilitation include working dogs, fitness and conditioning, myofascial issues, geriatrics, neurology and pain management.

Beate Egner

DVM, PhD
President and CEO, Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning (VAHL GmbH) Dr. Beate Egner is presenting on behalf of the Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning and in cooperation with STAAR Conference.

Education

Clinical & Academic Focus

Scientific & Industry Roles

Entrepreneurship & Leadership

Publication of several text books, articles, and papers in peer-reviewed journals (available upon request)

Sessions:: Thurs. Apr. 30th, 2:15pm - 6:30pm
Credits:: 4.0 RACE approval pending; 4.0 NYSED-approved
Course Rating:: Basic: CCRP, CCRT, CCAT
Intermediate: DVM/VMD, PT, VT, CCRA, CCFT, CCRVN
Policies:: To request a refund, please complete and postmark this Workshop Cancellation Form by March 28, 2026. Refunds exclude a $25 processing fee.