Advanced Training for ABVP Specialists

  • Advance your knowledge

    As an ABVP Specialist, you are a continual learner. This 52-week course is right up your alley.

  • Improve outcomes

    Managing pet pain is crucial for optimal outcomes and improved quality of life

  • How to apply

    Visit https://abvp.com/diplomates/fellowships/ for application details

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome (Dutton)

    1. Critical review of literature (Dutton)

    2. Critical review Lesson quiz

    1. Common Concepts in Veterinary Medicine (Dutton)

    2. Common concepts Lesson quiz

    3. Feline Specific Neuroanatomy, etc. (Cousins)

    4. Feline specific Neuroanatomy, etc. Lesson quiz

    5. Avian - Neuroantomy and neurophysiology (Dutton)

    6. Avian neuroanatomy Lesson quiz

    7. Exotic Companion Mammal (ECM) – Rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, etc. specific (Dutton)

    8. ECM neuroanatomy Lesson quiz

    9. Reptile - Neuroantomy and neurophysiology (Dutton)

    10. Reptile Neuroanatomy Lesson quiz

    1. Opioids (Dutton)

    2. Opioids Lesson quiz

    3. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Dutton)

    4. NSAID Lesson quiz

    5. Analgesic delivery techniques and tools (transdermal patches, extended-release formulations, Intravenous infusions, wound infusion catheters, epidural cath/lines, nerve locators, ultrasounds etc) (Dutton)

    6. Delivery techniques Lesson quiz

    7. Locoregional anesthesia Part 1 (Sharma)

    8. Locoregional #1 Lesson quiz

    9. Locoregional anesthesia Part 2 (Sharma)

    10. Locoregional #2 Lesson quiz

    11. α-2 Adrenoceptor agonists (Dutton)

    12. α-2 Adrenoceptor agonists Lesson quiz

    13. NMDA antagonist (Dutton)

    14. NMDA antagonist Lesson quiz

    15. Corticosteroids (Dutton)

    16. Corticosteroids Lesson quiz

    17. Adjunct such as gabapentenoids, SSNRI, TCA, tramadol, cannabinoids, APAP, more; parenterally: systemic lidocaine, maropitant, bisphosphonates, anti-NGF MAbs; intra-articular: biologics like stem cell, PRP, others; Tn-117, RTX, IL-10, etc. Part 1 (Epstein)

    18. Other pain meds 1 Quiz

    19. Adjunct such as gabapentenoids, SSNRI, TCA, tramadol, cannabinoids, APAP, more; parenterally: systemic lidocaine, maropitant, bisphosphonates, anti-NGF MAbs; intra-articular: biologics like stem cell, PRP, others; Tn-117, RTX, IL-10, etc. Part 2 (Epstein)

    20. Other pain meds 2 Quiz

    21. Opioid free analgesia (multimodal approach) (Dutton)

    22. Opioid free analgesia (multimodal approach) Lesson quiz

    1. Overview of Non-pharmacological Aspects of Pain Management (Dutton)

    2. Overview of Non-pharmacological Aspects of Pain Management Lesson quiz

    3. Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) approaches (Daniel)

    4. Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) approaches Lesson quiz

    5. Introduction to Rehabilitation (Rowley)

    6. Introduction to Rehab quiz

    7. Musculoskeletal Pain Part 1 (Gumley)

    8. Musculoskeletal Pain Part 1 Quiz

    9. Musculoskeletal Part 2 (Gumley)

    10. Musculoskeletal Part 2 Quiz

    11. Musculoskeletal Pain - Physical Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Exercise Part 3 (Durzi)

    12. Musculoskeletal Pain - Physical Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Exercise Part 3 Quiz

    13. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (Wyre)

    14. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Lesson quiz

    15. Acupuncture (Wright)

    16. Acupuncture Lesson quiz

    17. Photobiomodulation 1 (Plamondon)

    18. PBM 1 quiz

    19. Photobiomodulation 2 (Rowley)

    20. PBM 2 Quiz

    21. Cryotherapy (Kitson)

    22. Cryotherapy Quiz Questions

    23. Electrical Stimulation (Kitson)

    24. Electrical Stimulation Quiz

    25. Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) (Rowley)

    26. Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) Quiz

    27. Nutrition and Exercise (Durzi)

    28. Nutrition and exercise Quiz

    29. Rehabilitation for the geriatric pet (Wyatt)

    30. Rehabilitation for the geriatric pet quiz

    1. Behavioral (postural) changes associated with acute pain in cats and dogs; dysphoria vs pain (Halperin)

    2. Behavioral (postural) changes associated with acute pain in cats and dogs; dysphoria vs pain quiz

    3. Clinical Metrology Instruments: Thermography (Johnson)

    4. Clinical Metrology Instruments: Thermography quiz

    5. Pain scoring (Halperin)

    6. Pain scoring Lesson quiz

    7. Chronic pain (Epstein)

    8. Chronic pain med quiz

    9. Osteoarthritis (Epstein)

    10. OA quiz

    11. Low Surgical/trauma pain management (Epstein)

    12. Low sx & trauma pain mgt quiz

    13. High Surgical/trauma pain management (Epstein)

    14. High sx & trauma pain mgt quiz

    15. Neuropathic Pain & Pain with Neuropathic Components (Epstein)

    16. Neuropathic Pain & Pain with Neuropathic Components pain quiz

    17. Neuropathic Pain - Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Cats (Daniel)

    18. Neuropathic Pain - Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Cats Quiz

    19. Neoplastic related pain Part I (Jaeger)

    20. Neoplasia Pain Part I Lesson quiz

    21. Dental pain (Halperin)

    22. Dental pain Lesson quiz

    23. Diagnostic MS Ultrasound (Gumley)

    24. Diagnostic MS Ultrasound Quiz

About this course

  • Free
  • 131 lessons
  • 49 hours of video content

Instructors (1-3)

Biography

Dr. Michael Dutton previously owned 2 AAHA hospitals with a large exotic pet caseload (~6000 pets per year). He retired in 2024 from clinical practice.

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in four specialties: Canine & Feline Practice, Avian Practice, Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and Reptile & Amphibian Practice. He has lectured and written on exotic pet veterinary topics and pain management both locally and nationally.

He has a Master’s degree in Pain Management, is a certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner by IVAPM, and a certified Aquatic Veterinarian by WAVMA.

He is a Founding Fellow of ABVP Companion Animal Pain Management. He is a Founding Fellow of ABVP Canine and Feline Orthopedics.

Michael Dutton

DVM, MS, DABVP (CF, Av, ECM, RA). FFABVP-CAPM. FFABVP-CFO. CVPP. CertAqV

Instructors (1-3)

Biography

Dr. Jill Kitson has worked in both general practice and emergency/referral setting over the past 21 years and was the Medical Director of an AAHA practice for 9 years. Most recently she has recently opened her own practice, Feline Consulting & Pain Management LLC. She is an ABVP Feline Practitioner and Founding Fellow for ABVP-Companion Animal Pain Management. Through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, she became certified in rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behavior with Distinction through the International Society of Feline Medicine as well as a designation of a Feline Friendly Veterinarian through the Feline Veterinary Medical Association and is a Certified Fear Free Professional. She is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through CAETA, as well as a Founding Fellow in ABVP Companion Animal Pain Management.

Jill Kitson

DVM, CCRT, DABVP (Feline), AdvCertFB, CVAT, CPEV, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (1-3)

Biography

Dr. Alexandre Daniel received his DVM from São Paulo University/Brazil, in 2005 and completed a 2 year residence program in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary teaching hospital, São Paulo University, in 2007. He obtained a master degree in clinical sciences at the same institution in 2009. He is diplomate of American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), specialist in feline practice , and serves as chair on the Latin American Advisory Council - Feline Veterinary Medical Association. He is member of the Academy of Feline Practitioners - International Society of Feline Medicine, owner of a feline only practice in Brazil and consultant at VIN (Veterinary Information Network - feline internal medicine). In 2024, he became an ABVP Founding Fellow in companion animal pain management.

Alexandre Daniel

DVM, DABVP (Fe), FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (4-6)

Biography

Dr. Epstein received his DVM from University of Georgia and is the Senior Partner and Medical Director of TotalBond Veterinary Hospitals, a small group of AAHA-accredited practices in the Charlotte & Gastonia NC. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine/Feline), a Founding Fellow Companion Animal Pain Management, and is a past-president of ABVP. He is recognized as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and is a past-president of IVAPM; he is currently President of the IVAPM Research & Scholarship Foundation. Dr. Epstein chaired the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines Task Force and co-Chaired the 2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines Task Force; and an author of numerous book chapters and review articles. He is a recipient of the 2022 Viticus Small Animal Educator of the Year Award.

Mark Epstein

DVM, DABVP (CF), CVPP, CVA, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (4-6)

Biography

Dr. Nicole Wyre is a double-boarded specialist in both Avian and Exotic Companion Mammals through the ABVP. She is certified in Acupuncture and Palliative and End-of-Life care through The Chi University. She was the service head of the Exotic Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery department at the University of Pennsylvania before moving to Hong Kong in 2016, where she became a partner at an exotic companion animal specialty hospital. In 2022, she became an adjunct professor at City University of Hong Kong Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences. She has published numerous journal articles and book chapters and has given lectures worldwide on exotic companion animals.

Nicole Wyre

DABVP (Av, ECM), CVA

Instructors (4-6)

Biography

Dr. Tiffany Durzi, an Ontario Veterinary College 2000 alumni who has been a Primary Care Veterinary Educator (PCVE) at the Ontario Veterinary College Primary Healthcare Centre since 2010. She is the Section Head of Small Animal Primary Care at the OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital and the Chief of Service at the OVC Fitness and Rehabilitation Service. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Canine and Feline Medicine in 2021 and has a special interest in primary care education, pet mobility and chronic pain management. Dr. Durzi is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) and a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). She is the host of a popular small animal primary care clinical podcast called Vet Sessions which is available on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon. She is also the 2025 chair-elect of the AAVMC Primary Care Veterinary Educators Group (PCVE) world group.

Tiffany Durzi

DVM, DABVP (CF), CVA, CCRT, CVPP, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (7-9)

Biography

Dr Robin Jaeger graduated from the University of Florida in 2001 and completed a rotating small animal internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in 2002. She then worked in ECC and during this time became ICU director at a specialty hospital in NY. While working in ECC she achieved the Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and worked closely with the hospital’s rehabilitation department. Since she loves learning and being able to offer as many pain management options to her patients as possible, she also became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner through the IVAPM. Dr Jaeger has enjoyed time as an adjunct professor teaching veterinary technology students. She is currently an associate at a feline only practice in Florida. Dr Jaeger is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Canine & Feline Practice and is a Founding Fellow of ABVP Companion Animal Pain Management.

Robin Jaeger

DVM, DABVP (CF), CVPP, CVA, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (7-9)

Biography

Nigel is owner of Cedarview Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario with a special interest in rehabilitation and pain management, and canine reproduction alongside general practice. He became a specialist of the ABVP (Canine/Feline) in 2001 and completed a Masters in Epidemiology in 2001. He is certified as a Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapist, a Veterinary Pain Practitioner, and in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture. In 2024, Nigel also became certified in ultrasound with the International Veterinary Ultrasound Society (IVUSS). In addition to abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography, he has a strong interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound and in developing skills in ultrasound-guided nerve and fascial blocks. Nigel is a Founding Fellow of the ABVP Companion Animal Pain Management and is currently a co-organizer for the proposed ABVP Fellowship in Ultrasound.

Nigel Gumley

DABVP (CF), CVPP, CVMA, CCRP, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (7-9)

Biography

Dr. W. Mark Cousins received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 He went on to study business management through the Veterinary Management Institute at the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University. In 2000, Dr. Cousins became a diplomate in feline practice of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and recertified again 2010 and 2020. In 2012, Dr. Cousins achieved certification in pain management (Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner - CVPP) from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. He has also been awarded the Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) designation from the International Veterinary Acupuncturist Society (IVAS). Dr. Cousins has presented at national and international symposia, local and state VMA’s, as well as veterinary schools on topics relating to feline medicine and feline business. He is recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In 2022, Dr. Cousins has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Heartworm Society. He was also the Feline Regent for the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (2023-2025) and a Founding Fellow of the Companion Animal Pain Management Practice fellowship of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Mark Cousins

DABVP (Fe), CVPP, FFABVP-CAPM

Instructors (10-12)

Biography

Dr. Lori W. Wyatt is a native of Kentucky who received her DVM degree from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. She then attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine to complete a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Wyatt’s career in small animal practice began in Illinois at two small animal hospitals before establishing The Animal Doctor in July of 1996, which is listed in Newsweek as one of America’s top veterinary hospitals for 2025. She also owns 2 additional AAHA-accredited small animal hospitals in Illinois (Sycamore Animal Hospital and Animal Medical Center of Crystal Lake). Dr. Wyatt has special interests in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, small animal rehabilitation and physical therapy, ultrasound and Computed Tomography imaging and working on challenging medical cases. In 2010, Dr. Wyatt completed certification in Canine Rehabilitation (CCRP) at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2021, she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary practitioners (Canine and Feline). She is married to Karl, and they have a daughter, two grandchildren and a fun-loving American Staffordshire Terrier dog named Prince K’Challa.

Lori Wyatt

DABVP (CF), CCRP