EQUINE: THE TRAIL TO CORE NURSING SKILLS

Course Overview
Throughout history, the horse has played an important part in the progress of mankind. Transportation, a work partner, and, unfortunately, a war resource, we have relied heavily on the horse to help us achieve our goals. Today the horse has been replaced by the car as primary transportation, by motorized equipment on the farm and they are seldom used now in warfare. Yet mankind's fascination with, and love for, the horse is still strong. Veterinary technicians play an important role in the delivery of quality medical services in both mixed and equine practices. Yet many team members have limited equine related training. Without a strong foundation in basic medical and husbandry factors, team members cannot begin to reach their full potential. *Equine: The Trail to Core Nursing Skills* provides foundational training in core areas of equine medicine. Ranging from basic anatomy to wellness to nutrition, along with other topics, this course provides participants with a wide range of instruction in factors basic to equine medicine. For team members seeking to strengthen their knowledge of the horse, this course will provide an excellent beginning.

Course Overview

Throughout history, the horse has played an important part in the progress of mankind. Transportation, a work partner, and, unfortunately, a war resource, we have relied heavily on the horse to help us achieve our goals. Today the horse has been replaced by the car as primary transportation, by motorized equipment on the farm and they are seldom used now in warfare. Yet mankind's fascination with, and love for, the horse is still strong.

Veterinary technicians play an important role in the delivery of quality medical services in both mixed and equine practices. Yet many team members have limited equine related training. Without a strong foundation in basic medical and husbandry factors, team members cannot begin to reach their full potential.

Equine: The Trail to Core Nursing Skills provides foundational training in core areas of equine medicine. Ranging from basic anatomy to wellness to nutrition, along with other topics, this course provides participants with a wide range of instruction in factors basic to equine medicine. For team members seeking to strengthen their knowledge of the horse, this course will provide an excellent beginning.

Continuing Education Credits
Course meets the requirements for 18 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery. This course is an *interactive online* course that meets RACE requirements; program number 57-27670. Accepted by the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians towards continuing education requirements.

Continuing Education Credits

Course meets the requirements for 18 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery.

This course is an interactive online course that meets RACE requirements; program number 57-27670.

Accepted by the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians towards continuing education requirements.

Course Focus, Content, and Learning Objectives
*Equine: The Trail to Core Nursing Skills* is a 6-week course designed for working veterinary technicians who wish strengthen their foundation in equine medicine. It will help participants develop stable management plans that incorporate excellent husbandry skills, along with restraint, hoof care and proper procedures used to trailer a horse safely. Understanding equine behavior is critical to the nurse, and both normal and abnormal behaviors are discussed. General equine anatomy is covered, providing a background for understanding basic nursing procedures, relating to physical, lameness, ophthalmic and neurological exams. Catheter placement, blood collection and medication and fluid administration techniques are covered extensively. Understanding the digestive physiology of horses is critical, and students will be able to determine the nutritional requirements for various life stages, as well as those patients with special nutritional needs that can aid in the treatment of various diseases. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: develop an efficient stable management plan for horses compare and contrast chemical and physical restraint devices available describe safe methods used for trailering horses recognize equine behavior as it pertains to handling patients in a hospital environment identify anatomical systems of the horse evaluate the components of an Equine Wellness Program describe vaccine protocols used to prevent fatal diseases and identify vaccinations used on occasional basis identify common parasites seen in the equine patient and compare and contrast available anthelmintics utilize the Body Condition Scoring System in horses discuss digestive physiology in the horse, evaluate nutrient requirements and determine appropriate nutrients for the equine patient based on life stage discuss nutrient requirements for gastrointestinal disorders, laminitis and other special needs assess the equine patient with a complete physical, laminitis and ophthalmic exam evaluate site location for blood collection and catheter placement consider appropriate methods to administer medication calculate fluid requirements and choose appropriate fluid therapy assess critically ill patients and implement proper monitoring protocols

Course Focus, Content, and Learning Objectives

Equine: The Trail to Core Nursing Skills is a 6-week course designed for working veterinary technicians who wish strengthen their foundation in equine medicine. It will help participants develop stable management plans that incorporate excellent husbandry skills, along with restraint, hoof care and proper procedures used to trailer a horse safely. Understanding equine behavior is critical to the nurse, and both normal and abnormal behaviors are discussed.

General equine anatomy is covered, providing a background for understanding basic nursing procedures, relating to physical, lameness, ophthalmic and neurological exams. Catheter placement, blood collection and medication and fluid administration techniques are covered extensively. Understanding the digestive physiology of horses is critical, and students will be able to determine the nutritional requirements for various life stages, as well as those patients with special nutritional needs that can aid in the treatment of various diseases.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

develop an efficient stable management plan for horses
compare and contrast chemical and physical restraint devices available
describe safe methods used for trailering horses
recognize equine behavior as it pertains to handling patients in a hospital environment
identify anatomical systems of the horse
evaluate the components of an Equine Wellness Program
describe vaccine protocols used to prevent fatal diseases and identify vaccinations used on occasional basis
identify common parasites seen in the equine patient and compare and contrast available anthelmintics
utilize the Body Condition Scoring System in horses
discuss digestive physiology in the horse, evaluate nutrient requirements and determine appropriate nutrients for the equine patient based on life stage
discuss nutrient requirements for gastrointestinal disorders, laminitis and other special needs
assess the equine patient with a complete physical, laminitis and ophthalmic exam
evaluate site location for blood collection and catheter placement
consider appropriate methods to administer medication
calculate fluid requirements and choose appropriate fluid therapy
assess critically ill patients and implement proper monitoring protocols

Open Enrollment and Activity Requirements
Open enrollment allows students to enroll in a course at a time that is best for their schedule. Each participant has a personal start and end date. Unless otherwise requested, a participant's start date will be within 48 hours of payment submission. During their personal 6 weeks of access time, the participant is not expected to be online in the course at any specific times as there are no real time lectures. However, all assignments must be submitted by the assignment deadline date. This course is designed to be as schedule friendly as possible as we understand it can be hard to fit interactive CE into an already busy schedule.

Open Enrollment and Activity Requirements

Open enrollment allows students to enroll in a course at a time that is best for their schedule. Each participant has a personal start and end date. Unless otherwise requested, a participant's start date will be within 48 hours of payment submission.

During their personal 6 weeks of access time, the participant is not expected to be online in the course at any specific times as there are no real time lectures. However, all assignments must be submitted by the assignment deadline date.

This course is designed to be as schedule friendly as possible as we understand it can be hard to fit interactive CE into an already busy schedule.

Completion Requirements
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include: Instructor Graded Interactive Critical Thinking and Case Study Assignments: Designed to help the participant apply the newly learned skills and knowledge though patient based scenarios Course Quizzes and Examination: Must be submitted with a score of 80% or better Course Survey

Technology Requirements
It is recommended that participants utilize a program such as MS Word to create, and save, their assignment submission to their computer. Then the information can be pasted into the assignment submission area. In addition, the uploading of a document(s) is required. Some sections of the course give the student the option of viewing on the page or via a PDF document; the latter facilitates downloading for future reference.

Technology Requirements

It is recommended that participants utilize a program such as MS Word to create, and save, their assignment submission to their computer. Then the information can be pasted into the assignment submission area. In addition, the uploading of a document(s) is required.

Some sections of the course give the student the option of viewing on the page or via a PDF document; the latter facilitates downloading for future reference.

Required Materials
*AAEVT's Equine Manual for Veterinary Technicians, 2009 (or 2012 eBook) Wiley-Blackwell* Editors: Deborah Reeder, Sheri Miller, DeeAnn Wilfong, Midge Leitch, Dana Zimmel *Important Text Information:* This course utilizes a textbook. It is up to each participant to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and therefore will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook through Wiley-Blackwell. The following link to their website is provided as a courtesy. Scroll down to the bottom of the Wiley-Blackwell page to view all book delivery options. Purchase Text From Wiley-Blackwell Important: Regardless of what option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations as the material is not reprinted within the course. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays.

Required Materials

AAEVT's Equine Manual for Veterinary Technicians, 2009 (or 2012 eBook) Wiley-Blackwell Editors: Deborah Reeder, Sheri Miller, DeeAnn Wilfong, Midge Leitch, Dana Zimmel

Important Text Information: This course utilizes a textbook. It is up to each participant to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and therefore will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook through Wiley-Blackwell. The following link to their website is provided as a courtesy. Scroll down to the bottom of the Wiley-Blackwell page to view all book delivery options.

Purchase Text From Wiley-Blackwell
Important: Regardless of what option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations as the material is not reprinted within the course. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays.

Participant Feedback
...The case study assignments were the most beneficial. They made use of critical thinking skills and drew from multiple sources in the course. They made use of creative thinking and were fun to complete. ...I really liked the case studies because it was an application in a real clinic setting and got your mind thinking. You were able to apply the knowledge to a real live case. ...Relevant material, helpful and encouraging feedback by instructor, and very easy online use (uploading of assignments, assignment submissions, exams). Very good review of equine medicine and husbandry as relevant to a Veterinary Technologist! ...It was great to take a course the fully interested me! I'm looking forward to reading more of the material in the required text. The instructor was very efficient and knowledgeable. I enjoy the nutritional aspect the best as I am struggling with understanding all that! ...The review of physiology and learning more about immunology was most beneficial to me. ...I appreciated the in depth discussion of handling as well as the behavior portion of the course. ...It covered a lot of different ailments - very beneficial for increasing my general knowledge and being able to triage on the phone better/gain better histories. ...It has been a challenge finding equine specific courses, so to have access to these on-line is very beneficial.

Participant Feedback

...The case study assignments were the most beneficial. They made use of critical thinking skills and drew from multiple sources in the course. They made use of creative thinking and were fun to complete.

...I really liked the case studies because it was an application in a real clinic setting and got your mind thinking. You were able to apply the knowledge to a real live case.

...Relevant material, helpful and encouraging feedback by instructor, and very easy online use (uploading of assignments, assignment submissions, exams). Very good review of equine medicine and husbandry as relevant to a Veterinary Technologist!

...It was great to take a course the fully interested me! I'm looking forward to reading more of the material in the required text. The instructor was very efficient and knowledgeable. I enjoy the nutritional aspect the best as I am struggling with understanding all that!

...The review of physiology and learning more about immunology was most beneficial to me.

...I appreciated the in depth discussion of handling as well as the behavior portion of the course.

...It covered a lot of different ailments - very beneficial for increasing my general knowledge and being able to triage on the phone better/gain better histories.

...It has been a challenge finding equine specific courses, so to have access to these on-line is very beneficial.

Upcoming Sessions

Course Fee
Price: $179.00 USD This course is eligible for the 10% Multi-course discount. To learn more about the discount please visit the Multi-Course Discount page.

EQUINE: THE TRAIL TO CORE NURSING SKILLS

Follow Us & Share