In-Person Program
Canine Fitness Trainer Certificate
Program Overview
The Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) Program is for those interested in understanding proper canine exercise form, technique, behavior, and program design for optimum performance and injury prevention using science-based, force-free training methods and canine-specific conditioning equipment.
Students will advance their understanding and skills with hands-on labs focused on conducting canine fitness assessments, understanding injury prevention and care, program design and implementation. An emphasis is included on movement identification and correction as well as the opportunity to explore specialty life stage requirements for working dogs and sporting dogs, puppies, seniors, and pet dogs.
Blended learning including hands-on labs and final exams.
The University of Tennessee Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) Program is the only program for Canine Fitness to win the distinguished Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award by the Association for Continuing Higher Education.
Understand your role as a Canine Fitness Trainer and a valued member of the Canine Health team that supports proactive foundations to the health and well-being of dogs in any life stage.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The CCFT program provides students with the essential qualifications and tools to become an effective university-credentialed Canine Fitness Trainer. Students will be taught through a blended learning environment that includes online coursework and live labs to minimize time in the classroom and maximize time with their hands-on dogs.
The CCFT program provides essential concepts of canine body mechanics, anatomy, functional movement, behavior, nutrition, and an overview of regulatory issues and precautions for those desiring to coach, train or better understand the fundamentals of canine fitness and conditioning.
Program Courses
The program consists of 4 modules to be completed in order:
CCFT I: Online Lecture Series (25 hours)
CCFT II: Live Lab Series (3-day hands-on Live Lab)
CCFT III: Case Studies
CCFT IV: Online Exam
Meet Your Instructors
Dawn H. Rector
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 the rehabilitation practice there. 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 has 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 geriatrics, neurology, working dogs, myofascial issues and pain management.
Dr. Darryl Millis
Dr. Millis received his BS and DVM from Cornell University, MS from the University of Florida, and completed an internship and surgery residency at Michigan State University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, a founding charter Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as chief of surgery.
Dr. Millis is currently holds the Acree Endowed Chair in Small Animal Medicine, is the Director of the CARES Center for Veterinary Sports Medicine and is a co-editor of the Textbook of Small Animal Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation; Essential Facts of Physiotherapy in Dogs and Cats; Small Animal Physical Rehabilitation: Veterinary Clinics of North America-Small Animal Practice; and Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis.
He is a primary faculty member of the University of Tennessee Certificate Program in Canine Rehabilitation, which received the Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award from the Association for Continuing Higher Education.
Dr. David Levine
Dr. Levine received a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of New England, a Masters in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Boston University, and a doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee where he also received his PhD.
Dr. Levine is a professor and the Walter M. Cline Chair of Excellence in Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine and North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, he is board certified as a specialist in orthopedics by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is also certified in dry needling. His practice in canine rehabilitation is at VCA RIVER in Chattanooga. Dr. Levine has been working and conducting research in animal physical rehabilitation since 1993 and is co-director of the University of Tennessee’s certificate program in canine rehabilitation. He is a co-editor of multiple books, including Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Essential Facts of Physiotherapy in Dogs and Cats, and Gait Analysis: An Introduction. He has presented at over 100 conferences and has lectured in more than a dozen countries. Dr. Levine has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals with over 100 publications. His latest research focuses on canine rehabilitation, clinical infectious disease, animal assisted therapy, and laser to improve muscle endurance.
Register Today
The University of Tennessee Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) Program is the only program for Canine Fitness to win the distinguished Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award by the Association for Continuing Higher Education.
