Course Open: February 4-March 6, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, February 11, 18, and 25, 2020; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter Level and Prerequisites: This basic course will be open to veterinarians and veterinary staff interested in increasing their knowledge of veterinary forensics.
VIN CE Course: Open to veterinarians and veterinary staff. This course is approved by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 22-39427) Course Information:
The veterinary profession is being increasingly challenged to recognize, report and document animal abuse and cruelty as it is encountered in their practices, and to assist law enforcement in the prosecution of these cases. This course will provide an overview on the techniques and processes involved in forensic investigation of cruelty cases, including recognition and reporting animal cruelty, forensic examination of victims of animal cruelty (live and dead), sample collection and diagnostics, preparation of the forensic report, and working with law enforcement and the media. Week 1 (Real Time Session February 11, 2020): Recognition of Animal Cruelty and the Veterinarian's Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
Presenters: Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Dr. Adam Stern
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
- identify evidence of animal cruelty, including distinguishing common "false" lesions from real lesions.
- know federal and state guidelines for reporting animal cruelty by veterinarians including understanding where and to whom to report.
Presenters: Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Dr. Adam Stern
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
- understand the roles of law enforcement, prosecutors and expert witnesses in forensic cases.
- understand the basics of performing a forensic veterinary examination on living and dead victims.
Presenters: Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Dr. Adam Stern
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
- distinguish between various types of non-accidental injury to patients.
- know the basics of writing a forensic report and acting as an expert witness.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course. About the Presenters:
Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant earned a BS in zoology and DVM from North Carolina State University. After 3 years in private veterinary practice (companion animal, emergency medicine), she completed a veterinary anatomic pathology residency and earned a PhD in veterinary pathology from Kansas State University. Following a post-doctoral position at the National Animal Disease Center, Dr. Gwaltney-Brant joined the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, where she ultimately served as Vice President and Medical Director. She is board certified in veterinary toxicology (ABVT) and general toxicology (ABT). Dr. Gwaltney-Brant currently works as a Toxicology consultant for VIN, performs private Toxicology consulting, and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Illinois and University of Florida. She currently instructs the Veterinary Forensic Toxicology course for the online Veterinary Forensic Master's degree program through the University of Florida. Dr. Gwaltney-Brant lectures at regional, national and international conferences on veterinary toxicology and veterinary forensic science. She is a charter member and past President of the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association. Dr. Adam Stern earned a BS in biology from The George Washington University and his DVM from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island. He completed a veterinary anatomic pathology residency program at the Oklahoma State University and is board certified in veterinary anatomic pathology. Following his residency training, he was faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. Dr. Stern currently is an Associate Professor of Forensic Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. Dr. Stern's research and interests include all aspect of veterinary forensic pathology, estimation of the time of death, and animal fighting. Dr. Stern lectures on various topics of veterinary forensic medicine/pathology and has been an expert witness in multiple jurisdictions. Total CE Credit: 6
Tuition: Member $138 ($124 early bird special if enrolled by January 21, 2020)
Non-Member $231 ($208 early bird special if enrolled by January 21, 2020)
Prices are listed in US dollars. *To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on February 11, 2020 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached. *For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center. To Enroll:
- Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
- Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
- Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
VIN Education Director VIN CE Services: CEonVIN
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357