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.