AARV Events

AARV Fall 2025 CE Virtual Event

Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00 AM–1:00 PM Central Time
(7:00–11:00 AM PST / 10:00 AM–2:00 PM EST)
Online

We're excited about the AARV Fall Continuing Education Virtual Event, free to all active AARV members!

Saturday, October 11th, 2025
🕖   9:00 AM–1:00 PM Central Time
(7:00–11:00 AM PST / 10:00 AM–2:00 PM EST)
📍   Virtual | 4 hours of RACE-approved CE
🎓   Sponsored by Curative Sound

Program Agenda

9:00 – 9:50 AM Central Time (50 Minutes + QA)		Presented by: Sandy Gregory, RVT, VTS, "This Makes Sense" The nervous system is an amazing system. From head to toes, there are thousands of sensory neurons all over. Waking them up is an essential key to recovery for those neurological patients, whether after surgery or just the older patient. It is also important to make such a connection with the sensory nerves to have a better quality of life. There are so many simple tips and tricks to make this happen. Find out how even a ketchup pack can be a simple prop to use.
9:55 – 10:15 AM Central Time (20 min + QA)		Abstract – Presented by: Dr. Kyle Clark Title: Synovial inflammatory profiles in horses with and without systemic B. burgdorferi infection
10:20 – 10:30 AM Central Time		John Sherman Award Presentation Congratulations to this year's winner, Dr. Kara Amstutz! Please read more about Dr. Amstutz below. Thank you to Paw Prosper for sponsoring this award!
10:40 – 11:30 AM Central Time		Presented by: Dr. Julie Servaites, "Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation of the Young Patient" Physical rehabilitation is an integral part of recovery for many of our animal patients, including puppies and kittens, who can often present with their own unique challenges. The growth stages and important milestones of the neonatal to juvenile patient will be reviewed, along with the most common orthopedic and neurological diseases of puppies and kittens. This will include trauma, congenital, developmental, and infectious processes. Common physical rehabilitation procedures, devices, and techniques, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of treating the young patient, will also be discussed. A final case report of two patients, one orthopedic and one neurological, will be shared with the audience as an example of the above principles.
11:40 AM – 12:00 PM Central Time		Case Study – Presented by: Credentialed Technician – Case Selected by September 12th
12:10 – 1:00 PM Central Time		Presented by: Dr. David Dycus "Shockwave Therapy in Orthopedics: Review of a blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial following TPLO" This presentation will begin by providing a basic overview of shockwave therapy as it pertains to orthopedics. In particular, usage for osteoarthritis, soft tissue orthopedic conditions, and post operative usage will be covered. Discussion of relevant research and proposed mechanisms of action will be addressed. Lastly, a summary of the recent blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial following TPLO will be covered. The goal is for the attendee to leave the presentation with a general understanding of how shockwave therapy can be incorporated into veterinary orthopedics.

 

Registration is free for all active AARV members. An email with a link to register will be sent to all active AARV members in September. If you are not a current member, we encourage you to join AARV!

Note: This event has limited capacity.

This is a great opportunity to stay up to date on current clinical trends while earning CE from the comfort of your home. We look forward to learning with you!

 

 

John Sherman Award

Congratulations to Dr. Kara Amstutz, Our 2025 John Sherman Award Winner!

AARV is happy to announce this year's recipient for the John Sherman Award: Dr. Kara Amstutz!

Dr. Kara Amstutz received her DVM degree in May 2000 from University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine and her BS in Biology & Chemistry in May 1996 from Missouri State University. She attended and completed the following training: Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist with CRI in 2013, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner with IVAPM in 2013, and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist with IVAS in 2019. Dr. Amstutz completed her residency with ACVSMR in 2022 and obtained Diplomate status with ACVSMR in 2023.

She is the current owner, CEO and senior clinical instructor of the Canine Rehabilitation Institute as well as the practice owner and lead veterinarian of Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehab in Springfield Missouri.

Dr. Amstutz also volunteered and continued her leadership in veterinary rehab as an exemplary board member of the AARV, including the President, Past President and Legislative Liaison positions. She contributed, and continues to contribute, her time and experience in organizing continuing education conferences and events for AARV.

She has also published multiple journal articles focused on veterinary rehabilitation, including, but not limited to:

• Amstutz, K., Schwark, W. S., Zakharov, A., Gomez, B., Lyubimov, A., Ellis, K., Venator, K. P., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2022). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. "Single dose and chronic oral administration of cannabigerol and cannabigerolic acid-rich hemp extract in fed and fasted dogs: Physiological effect and pharmacokinetic evaluation."
• Editor and Author of multiple chapters of: Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy, 2026.
• Author of: "Therapeutic Exercise" and "The Business of Canine Rehabilitation" in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, 3rd edition.
• Author of: "Use It or Lose It: The Crucial Role of Exercise in OA Management" in Canine Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain: Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management.

Thank you to Paw Prosper for sponsoring the John Sherman Award.