Continuing Education Plans for 2019

In 2017 I started my massive adventure into the world of Integrative Veterinary Medicine.  In April 2017 I started the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program at the University of Tennessee.  I finished in record time, earning the CCRP title in December 2017.  August 2017 brought the beginning of my Traditional Chinese Medicine adventure, as I started training at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida for acupuncture.  I also received that certification in record time, earning it in March 2018.  January 2018 I started training at Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI, earning the title of Certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist (CVSMT) in June 2018.  

At that time I could have stopped.  I attained my goal of being the only veterinary in the state of Minnesota who was certified in the 'big 3' - rehab, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation.  Not only was I certified in all 3, but I obtained those degrees from what are referred to as the best schools in the US for those particular programs.

After getting a taste of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), I decided I wanted to be an expert in that field.  Therefore, I pursued advanced training to complete certification in the 4 branches of TCVM - acupuncture (done), food therapy, Tui-Na, and herbal medicines.  In 2018 I attained the title of Certified Veterinary Food Therapist and started training in Tui-Na.  In March 2019 I finished my Advanced Tui-Na training at the Chi Institute, and earned the title of Certified Veterinary Tui-Na Practitioner.  Currently, I have completed 2 modules of 5 modules, and in August will earn the title of Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist.  Once I complete my herbal training, I will have achieved the title Certified Traditional Veterinary Chinese Medicine Practitioner (CTCVMP).  This is a title that very few in the USA have, and there are definitely none in Minnesota.  

Now what???  Once that is done, then what am I to do with myself?  Here is what I have planned for 2019 in regards to advanced continuing education and advanced educational training:
Chi Institute - Cardiovascular and Respiratory Herbal Training - Online right now ( I just finished Liver/Endocrinology and Kidney/Geriatric/Urinary/Reproductive)

Chi Institute - Gastrointestinal Herbal Training - Online starting May 5th

Healing Oasis Wellness Center (Sturtevant, WI) - Functional & Clinical Neurology for Practitioners Providing Rehabilitation Therapy - June 28th to June 30th - taking a deep dive into the nervous system, and how to implement this into my rehab (physical therapy) planning for patients.

Chi Institute - Dermatology/Oncology/Immune-Mediated Diseases Herbal Training - Online starting July 21st - once I pass the exam for this module, and submit my case studies, I will earn the CVCH and CTCVMP.

Chi Institute (Reddick, Florida) - TCVM diagnostics, Classical Points, and Advanced Acupuncture Techniques - July 25th to July 27th - this will teach me how to do scalp and ear acupuncture, implanting beads for long lasting acupuncture (ideal for seizure patients), more advanced electro, aqua, pneumo, and other training, and overall how to be better and critique my already crazy awesome skills!

Healing Oasis Wellness Center - Ancillary Procedures to Improve on Spinal Manipulative Therapy Outcomes - September 20th to September 22nd - more neurology! Learning more about how nerves recover from injury More massage and myofascial release and stretching. Advanced knowledge on tissue healing and recovery. Advanced joint mobilization.

Healing Oasis Wellness Center - Cranio-sacral Therapy for Animals - October 5th to October 6th - Just what it says! This will be great in addition to scalp acupuncture!

In 2019 and 2020 I will focus more on advanced spinal manipulation, rehab, and neurology training/education. In July 2019, I will be done with all the advanced TCVM and acupuncture training that is currently available in the USA. I made the decision I will not pursue the Master's Program at the Chi Institute, as I would have to retake the courses I already completed, and perform weekly assignments. I don't have the time right now.  Maybe in a few years, just not right now.  I will likely attend a conference for acupuncture/TCVM in 2020. But, I think my brain is good in that department for a while.  The advanced acupuncture course in July will be AMAZING!!!

When people think of me they think acupuncture. For some reason they do not think rehabilitation and physical therapy.  I want people to realize I am very good in this department, too. And with my plans for patients, I incorporate rehab every day. You may just not realize it.  Rehab is SOOOOO MUCH more than putting your dog on some FitPaws equipment and hoping for the best!  The nervous system is king!  We need to keep that in mind and incorporate in all our plans!  And when things 'pop' up, like unknown neurological deficits, seizures, vestibular signs, or brain tumors, how can we increase neuroplasticity to make that patient recover faster or become more comfortable?

And if I learned one thing in the last 2 weeks, having discussions with human medical doctors about my mom's brain tumors, I realized how much I already know about neurology and how much more I want to know. I threw out terms that the Neuro Acute doctor had never heard, but they exist - trans-neuronal degeneration (TND) and cellular early immediate gene response (CEIGR).  These are things I learned about in spinal manipulation training, as we received extremely thorough neurology training.  In lay terms, they mean do not over do it, your nervous system won't be able to recover and move forward fast enough.  I also read out her MRI accurately when her neurosurgeon missed something - blood coming off her tumor prior to surgery.  He told me after surgery that I was correct, the hyper-echoic area I pointed out was blood.

I'm very excited for these advanced training courses!  They will make me a better doctor!

Another option that's coming in 2019 for owners are seminars!  Thanks to a local dog training centers I will be offering seminars on a variety of topics, such as fitness, strengthening, conditioning, warm ups, cool downs, and so much more!

Now to plan my dog show schedule, get on that dog training, and plan my seminar schedule! Busy is the best way to be!

Dr. Shantel.