This dynamic, hands-on workshop explores how to build resilient canine athletes from the ground up - through smart, structured training that supports both performance and long-term joint health. Designed for professionals working with sporting and active dogs, it focuses on injury prevention, early detection of compensations, and training strategies tailored to the physical demands of canine sports. Participants will learn how to assess movement quality, symmetry, and strength using functional tests, and apply sport-specific drills targeting strength, core stability, proprioception, and balance. The workshop also covers progressive overload, recovery planning, warm-up and cool-down routines, age-appropriate training loads, and surface management. Interactive skill stations provide hands-on practice with balance equipment, proprioceptive challenges, and coordination drills. Each participant leaves with a ready-to-use Performance & Prevention Checklist to apply immediately in practice.

Core Objective: Inspire participants with CCFT-style principles to minimize injury risk, elevate training and optimize performance for working and sporting dogs

Key Outcomes:

Understand functional anatomy in the context of sport/work demands.
Apply injury prevention strategies from day one.
Learn how training supports both joint health and performance career longevity.

Structure:

Opening: The Athlete’s Journey
1. Quick overview of challenges facing the working/sporting dog
2. Where prevention fits and why it’s a competitive advantage.
Functional Assessment & Baseline Testing
1. How to evaluate gait, symmetry, and strength (with live working/sporting dogs).
2. Recognizing early compensation patterns before they cause breakdown.
Training Highlights from the CCFT Approach
1. Sport-specific conditioning drills (strength, flexibility, proprioception).
2. Progressive overload and recovery cycles in canine athletes.
3. Core stability and balance work to reduce injury incidence.
Injury Prevention Playbook
1. Warm-up/cool-down routines.
2. Surface considerations.
3. Age-appropriate training load.
4. Signs of overtraining or early injury.
Hands-On Skill Stations (3–4 rotations)
1. Creating strength and endurance.
2. Conditioning & balance equipment.
3. Agility & coordination drills.
4. Proprioceptive challenges.
Wrap-Up: From Training Plan to Peak Performance
1. Participants take away a ready-to-use “Prevention & Performance Checklist.”

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:: Fri. May 1st, 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.