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VSPN CE Course TECH230-0913: AVNT-Nutrition Series: Senior Nutrition

This course has been cancelled; may be rescheduled in 2014

INSTRUCTOR(S): Joan Smith, CVT, VTS (Nutrition)
COURSE OPEN: September 20-October 7, 2013
REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Friday, September 27, 2013; 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. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

* 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 geared toward veterinary technicians, especially those working toward their VTS in Nutrition. Participants should already have a strong grasp of basic nutrition and disease processes. 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://nutritiontechs.org.

VSPN CE Course: This course has been submitted for approval for veterinary technicians only.

Course Description:
Are seniors and geriatric patient nutritional needs the same? Do your clients know to ask this question and do you know how to answer them for your canine and feline patients? In this VINgnette, we will use case examples to assess and critique senior and geriatric patient needs, current disease and prospective disease outlook based on current diet plan. We will design a regimen with a recommended protocol prepared that can be discussed with the veterinarian for each pet for final prescription. As a class, we will interactively discuss the complications and techniques needed to facilitate this prospective plan for each patient in the message boards as it relates to client compliance and pet behavior, willingness to change diet at an advanced age, and the need for consistency and regular veterinary visits to ensure success.

This course will consist of one (1) ninety (90) minute Real Time Session, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, and a mandatory end-of-course test. The instructor places emphasis on Message Board participation as an important component of the learning process. Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.

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 Textbook(s): Recommended Textbooks: About the Instructor: Joan Smith is a 20 year veteran of veterinary technology. She received her nutrition technician specialty status in June 2013 and is a full time technician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center.

Course Outline:
Week 1: (Real Time Session September 27): Senior Nutrition
Required Reading (prior to September 27 Real Time Session): Chapter 14 (Feeding Mature Adult Dogs: Middle Aged and Older); Chapter 21 (Feeding Mature Adult Cats; Middle Aged and Older).
Content: During this session we will classify the age range patients are considered senior or geriatric, discuss age-related diseases, and explain dietary needs of aging patients. We will work through case studies to help the participant to be able to design a nutrition plan for a senior patient.

CE CREDITS: 1.5

Tuition: $30 ($27 early bird special if enrolled by September 6, 2013).
* 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 5pm ET on Friday, September 27, 2013 or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

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

  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 1.5 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/VIN 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 the VSPN Course Catalog.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content & CE Director
&
Charlotte Waack, CVT, RVT
VSPN CE Coordinator

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
Barb Burri (Barb@vspn.org); ext 764 (New Hampshire)
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193 (Illinois)
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 (Florida)
Lisa Kernaghan (Lisa@vspn.org); ext 159 (Arizona)
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187 (Colorado)

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
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