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TECH211-0412: AVNT-Nutrition Series: Canine Obesity and Weight Management

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INSTRUCTOR(S): Joan M. Smith, CVT

COURSE OPEN: April 13-30, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Friday, April 20, 2012; 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter
Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a practice session prior to the first Real Time Session. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first Real Time Session.

* The instructor for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend a Practice Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This advanced course is designed for those credentialed veterinary technicians pursuing their VTS-Nutrition or those experienced veterinary technicians (and their veterinarians) with a high level of nutritional knowledge in canines and felines. The course format is that of a VINgnette where interaction in the message boards discussing case scenarios will be required to enhance the single Real Time Session. Participants should plan on this more intensive study.
The AVNT Nutrition Series is an on-going program hosted by VSPN in cooperation with the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) to promote advanced education in animal nutrition for credentialed veterinary technicians. Candidates for Veterinary Technician Specialist-Nutrition (VTS-Nutrition) through AVNT are eligible for education credit as specified by the AVNT credential requirements found at http://www.nutritiontechs.org. Courses are offered monthly except in June and December.
VSPN CE Course. This course has been submitted for RACE approval veterinary technicians only.

Course Description:
This VINgnette will focus on canine obesity and weight management. We will look at the disease of obesity, patient assessment, feeding plans for overweight and obese dogs and feeding plans for weight maintenance. Key Nutritional Factors for feeding an obese patient will be covered.

This course will consist of one (1) ninety (90) minute Real Time Session, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.
** The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Texbook(s):

About the Instructor: Joan Smith is a 10 year veteran of veterinary technology and is a full time nutrition technician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session April 20): Canine Obesity from Veterinary Diagnosis to Treatment and Maintenance
Required Reading (prior to April 20 Real Time Session): Chapter 27
Content: Our course will focus on the study of Lucy, a dog diagnosed with obesity and osteoarthritis. We will review her medical and diet history and discuss the art of taking a diet history, key Nutritional Factors (KNF), and other nutrients of concern for an obese patient. Culmination of the session will include consideration and discussion of weight management plans, client compliance, and tips for success.

CE HOURS: 2.5 (1.5 hours of lecture, 1 hour for in-depth interaction of case discussions on the message boards)

Tuition: $50 ($45 early bird if registered by March 30, 2012).
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
** To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first Real Time Session unless otherwise noted. If the first Real Time Session is on a weekend, course will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

**For more on how online CE works see the Participant Resource Center

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  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 2.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB 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 of continuing education." Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).
Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
**Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).
** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE/VSPN/VSPN_M02231.htm

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & VSPN CE Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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