Course Curriculum

The Postgraduate Essentials in Animal Chiropractic
Course Curriculum

The curriculum of the Basic Animal Chiropractic Course is composed of at least 210 hours of education consisting of a minimum of 75 hours of hands-on laboratories and a minimum of 135 hours of lecture. Following is a brief description of these classes (Times are estimates, as some classes of students require more time to complete the required studies, and some require less.):

Anatomy and Biomechanics

Comparative Anatomy – 8 hours – All pertinent aspects comparing equine, bovine, canine, feline and human osteology, myology and syndesmology will be discussed. Fully articulated skeletal models of the horse and dog, equine and canine spine models, as well as hundreds of individual bones and models are available for use in these classes.

Neuroanatomy and Physiology – 5 hours – The basic cellular and physiological processes of the neuron and nervous system will be discussed. Topics include cellular neuroanatomy and physiology, the brachial plexus, the lumbosacral plexus, the autonomic nervous system and the cranial nerves.

Topographical Laboratory – 6 hours – All students will statically palpate and locate all pertinent anatomical landmarks on the equine and canine.

Dissection Laboratory – 8 hours – Students will investigate and study pertinent comparative anatomical structures by dissection and by examining previously dissected specimens.

Basic Spinal and Extremity Biomechanics – 4 hours – Normal movement and joint mechanics in each motion unit of the body will be discussed in order that the student is able to analyze normal versus compensatory movement.

Advanced Biomechanics – 3 hours – Equine and canine gait analysis including topics such normal gaits, abnormal gaits and conformational faults and gait.

Applied Functional Neurology

Applied Functional Neurology – 7 hours – These lectures explore the functional aspects of the nervous system as it applies to animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment. Topics include the evolution of joint injury, mechanoreceptors and proprioception, spinal reflexes and cord level reactions, suprasegmental control, and nociception as well as lectures that put it all together.

Animal Chiropractic Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Large and Small Animal Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions – 4 hours – These lectures emphasize an integrated diagnosis of the entire patient using diagnostic resources of signalment, history and consultation, posture analysis, static palpation (osseous, muscle, temperature, coat changes, etc.) motion palpation and gait analysis. Emphasis is placed on how these diagnoses relate and integrate into the primary health care of the animal.

Motion Palpation Laboratory – 8 hours – These laboratories assist the student in developing their ‘feel’ for the normal versus abnormal movement in motion units. Motion palpation is carried out on small and large animal as well as each other.

Diagnostic Imaging – 4 hours – Plain film radiography, digital radiography, myelography, fluoroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging are discussed and evaluated for normal and abnormal findings.

Neurological Examination – 2 hours – This lecture explores the traditional equine and canine neurological examination including live and video demonstration.

Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques

General Principles of Animal Chiropractic Adjusting – 4 hours – Certain factors increase the efficiency, safety, reliability and comfort of the doctor and patient during the chiropractic adjustment. These factors are discussed and demonstrated.

General Principles of Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Laboratory – 8 hours – Students will learn and fine tune, through hands on laboratories, the principles learned above. Topics such as doctor hand and body positions, contact points, safety and handling, use of speeder boards and intricacies of the chiropractic adjusting thrust will be practiced.

Basic Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques – 16 hours – Specific animal chiropractic treatment techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Areas included are sacropelvic, thoracolumbar, cervical, front limb, rear limb, ribs, TMJ, tail and cranium.

Basic Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques Laboratory – 20 hours – Individual hands-on instruction in all adjusting techniques above are practiced on the horse and dog.

Review of Basic Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques – 7 hours – All basic animal chiropractic adjusting techniques are reviewed.

Review of Basic Animal Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques Laboratory – 13 hours – All adjusting techniques taught the module before are reviewed and individual hands-on instruction is utilized for the second time on each technique. This individual hands-on teaching occurs a third time during the integrated module as a review before the final examinations.

Open Question and Answer Technique Laboratory – 4 hours – Students are given a chance to ask any questions they may have while in a laboratory setting so that demonstration on the animal is possible.

Comparative Animal Chiropractic Techniques Lecture and Laboratory – 4 hours – At least four different animal chiropractic adjusting techniques are demonstrated and the students are encouraged to ask questions about each. This gives the student exposure to other methods and affords them the opportunity to seek further education in those techniques if desired.

Rehabilitation – 2 hours – This lecture offers a basic review of several muscle, exercise and rehabilitative techniques.

Management of the Animal Chiropractic Patient

Basic Case Management – 7 hours – These lectures address some of the common topics in everyday case management including, the lay lecture, introduction to leads and collars, introduction to saddle and harness fit, equine teeth and bits and the equine foot.

Integrated Case Management – 6.5 hours – (All of the following are addressed by lecture, in small group discussion and/or with expert panel debate through an open question forum.) Review of the chiropractic theories and the contemporary vertebral subluxation complex; define assess and apply animal chiropractic diagnosis of the vertebral subluxation complex; and, investigate the creation and application of appropriate clinical goals and applying them to our integrative treatment protocols.

Chiropractic Sciences

Basic Chiropractic Theories and Tenets – 16 hours – Fundamental chiropractic topics are discussed including terminology and listing systems, history of chiropractic, vertebral subluxation complex 1 - chiropractic theories, and vertebral subluxation complex 2 - exploring the contemporary VSC.

Chiropractic Pathology – 4 hours – Pertinent chiropractic pathologies and how adjusting techniques as well as integrative modalities can influence treatment of those pathologies.

Veterinary Sciences

Basic Veterinary Theories and Tenets – 16 hours – Fundamental veterinary topics are discussed including safety and handling, physiology and pharmacology, zoonotic and metabolic conditions and lameness including demonstration of the lameness exam.

Veterinary Pathology – 4 hours – Pertinent large and small animal pathologies are discussed as well as their implications in complimentary chiropractic care. Discussion on how chiropractic and other integrative modalities can influence treatment of those pathologies.

History and Philosophy of Animal Chiropractic

Animal Chiropractic History – 1 hour – This lecture explores the modern history of animal chiropractic.

Philosophy – 4 hours – Here we explore the philosophy behind the chiropractic approach to health care and how it influences the practice philosophies of the animal chiropractor.

Introduction to the Vertebral Subluxation Complex – 1 hour – This lecture provides the student of an overview of the vertebral subluxation complex so that he can relate to the chiropractic topics at an early stage in the course.

Ethics and Legalities

Ethics and Legalities – 4 hours – The ethical and legal implications of chiropractors and veterinarians practicing animal chiropractic are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the primary care of the patient by a veterinarian as well as the integrative team approach to animal chiropractic.

Current Research

Current Research – 4 hours – Pertinent current research topics are discussed. Students are expected to read a certain number of current research articles each module.

Examinations

Written Examinations – 5 hours – Students are tested each module on material covered in the previous modules. A final examination is taken on the last day of classes.

Practical Examinations – 6 hours – Students are tested on their application of the basic animal chiropractic adjusting techniques taught at the previous module. A final examination is taken on the last day of classes.

Homework

Case Reports – At the beginning of each of the second through fifth modules each student is to hand in home study reports. These reports should detail all aspects of an animal chiropractic case that they are managing at home.

Text Book Reading Assignments – Each module the students are given reading assignments from required texts. These readings are required and tested for on the next examinations.

Academic Review During the Course

At the beginning of each of the second through fifth modules the students will undertake a written and practical examination. Academic achievement will be monitored by this process. Each student will be required to maintain marks greater than 75% in two tracts; one, the written exams and homework, and two, the practical exams. A student may be placed on academic probation if their marks fall below 75%, and continued low marks could be grounds for academic dismissal from the program.

Attendance

Attendance to all lectures and laboratories is mandatory. Emergency absences will have to be made up. How and when the hours missed will be made up will be determined on a case by case basis.

The Postgraduate Essentials in Animal Chiropractic Course is designed as continuing education for chiropractors and veterinarians. The curriculum meets the standard of education put forth by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) and the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). Its purpose is to provide exceptional education in Animal Chiropractic to ensure that its graduates can practice with the highest Standard of Care.

The course consists of classroom and home study. Classroom study consists of a minimum of 210 hours of lecture and laboratory. Classroom instruction is offered in a modular format, consisting of five modules, with each module consisting of four and a half days. The modules can be taken in several formats (see Academic Calendar, p. 24), completing them in anywhere from four weeks to two years. Home study is required with the average student spending at least eight to ten hours to complete home assignments after each module. All class and home study progress in monitored by written and practical examinations.

Upon successful completion of the course a certificate of attendance will be issued by the College. This certificate enables the student to register for additional clinical competency examination by both the AVCA and IVCA and to register as qualified animal chiropractors in states such as Oklahoma and Minnesota. (Additional information can be obtained at their websites: AVCA – www.animalchiropractic.org and the IVCA – www.I-V-C-A.com .)

Policy Changes

The provisions of this Catalog should not be construed by the applicants or students as an irrevocable contract. The College reserves the right to effect policy and regulatory changes at any time. Moreover, the College does not assume a responsibility for giving advance notice made in policies, criteria or rule.

Licensure Requirements

Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic makes every reasonable effort to qualify students to sit for all licensing, certification and/or clinical competency examinations, but makes no assurance that any graduate will be qualified to take these examinations or pass any of these examinations.

State, Provincial, and governmental laws and Boards of Examiners administrative rules and regulations experience periodic changes; therefore each candidate desiring to pursue the professional program offered by the College is responsible to ascertain all information relative to his or her qualifications to practice in any jurisdiction that he or she selects.