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PAIN MANAGEMENT FORUM
AGENDA
Curious about the cutting-edge topics and expert speakers at the IVAPM Pain Management Forum? Read on to view the full agenda!
All Attendees are welcome to attend lectures in either the Veterinary or Veterinary Technician/Nurse track.
Participation in IVAPM labs will count for some of the required skills on the CVPP application.
April 18, 2026
VETERINARY TRACK
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:50 | Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DACVAA, CVPP, CVMA, CCRP | Beyond Multimodal: Rethinking Chronic Pain as a Disease, Not a Symptom | Chronic pain is not simply persistent nociception - it is a maladaptive disease of the pain system itself. This session reframes chronic pain as a neuroimmune and neurologic disorder characterized by persistent activation and dysregulation of the pain pathway. |
| 9:00-9:50 | Douglas Strammel, DVM, CVPP | Acetaminophen - No Cats Allowed | Dispelling the myths on the utilization of acetaminophen for pain relief in both the canine and equine species. |
| 9:50-10:15 | Break | ||
| 10:15-11:05 | Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP | What Hurts and Why: Diagnostic Strategies for Uncovering Pain | Pain isn’t always obvious — and neither are its sources. This case-based presentation explores how diagnostic tools can illuminate hidden pain generators and guide more effective treatment plans. From elusive forelimb lameness to visceral discomfort like biliary pain, we’ll examine how radiographs, dynamic views, ultrasound, and CT imaging contribute to clinical clarity. Attendees will learn to recognize subtle radiographic and ultrasonographic changes, understand when advanced imaging is warranted, and appreciate the diagnostic nuances of chronic pain. The session also emphasizes how to communicate findings to clients in a way that builds trust and supports multimodal pain management. Whether the pain is orthopedic, neurologic, or visceral, diagnostics are the bridge between observation and relief. |
| 11:15-12:05 | Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP | Speaking Up for Comfort: Communication Strategies for Pain Advocates in Veterinary Practice | Veterinary technicians are often the first to recognize subtle signs of pain and discomfort in their patients — but advocating for those observations requires skillful, emotionally intelligent communication. This session explores how technicians can effectively communicate pain concerns with doctors, educate pet owners with clarity and empathy, and foster a collaborative, comfort-focused team culture. Through real-world examples and practical tools, attendees will gain confidence in navigating disagreement, building trust, and speaking up for patient comfort. |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | ||
| 1:45-2:35 | Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA | Measuring More Than Years: Functional and Frailty Assessment to Inform Pain Management in the Aging Patient | |
| 2:45-3:35 | Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA | Ketamine in Context: When and How to Use It in Multimodal Pain Plans Based on Current Evidence and Experience | Evidence and clinical experience continue to expand regarding the use of ketamine in the management of complex and chronic pain in both human and veterinary medicine. Ketamine is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist with additional effects on brain and spinal cord neuroplasticity, making it particularly relevant for patients with central sensitization and refractory pain states. This lecture reviews the evolving understanding of ketamine’s role in chronic and neuropathic pain, with emphasis on recent literature and clinically relevant mechanisms. Practical considerations for patient selection, route of administration, dosing strategies (including intravenous, subcutaneous, oral, and intermittent injections), and treatment frequency will be discussed. The role of ketamine within a multimodal pain management framework is emphasized, highlighting how it can be combined thoughtfully with other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to optimize outcomes in challenging pain cases. |
| 3:45-4:05 | Break | ||
| 4:05-4:55 | Elisabeth Kraus, DVM, CVPP | The Role of NGF in Osteoarthritis Pain and Updates on Monoclonal Antibody Therapies | A review of the role of nerve growth factor in osteoarthritis pain, how monocloal antibody therapies can target excess NGF and share the three years of global experiences with Librela. |
| 5:00-6:00 | Panel Discussion |
TECHNICIAN/NURSE TRACK
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:50 | Gwen Francisco, BA, MFA, LVT, CVPP and Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA | Don’t Let Poor Communication Leave Your Patients Hurting; Strategies That Improve Veterinary Pain Management | Patient comfort and health can suffer when members of the veterinary team are ambivalent about robust pain management. How can we communicate the vital role of pain mitigation to a colleague who may be inexperienced, unaware or afraid of implementing pain protocols? |
| 9:00-9:50 | Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT | Pain Management in the ER Setting: A Nursing Perspective | nursing-first workflow for rapid pain recognition, triage-based analgesia, and structured reassessment in emergency patients. Content focuses on practical medication selection, safe CRI setup and monitoring, local anesthesia “quick wins,” and how to balance comfort with perfusion, ventilation, and diagnostics. Attendees leave with a repeatable algorithm, monitoring checklist, and documentation framework that improves consistency and patient comfort in the ER. |
| 9:50-10:15 | Break | ||
| 10:15-11:05 | Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA | Exercise as Analgesia: Translating Pain Science Into Clinical Movement Strategies | This lecture explores how targeted movement and therapeutic exercise function as powerful analgesic tools in the management of chronic pain. Drawing from neuroscience, musculoskeletal physiology, and rehabilitation science, we examine how movement modulates pain through mechanisms such as central desensitization, improved neuromuscular control, enhanced tissue health, and anti-inflammatory signaling. The benefits of exercise reach beyond analgesia alone and are foundations for well rounded patient care. Emphasis is placed on understanding why movement reduces pain—not just that it does—allowing practitioners to design more intentional and effective exercise-based interventions. Practical strategies for selecting, progressing, and modifying exercises are discussed, with a focus on translating mechanistic principles into individualized, patient-centered treatment plans. This framework also supports clearer communication with pet owners about the role of exercise in pain management and helps improve adherence to practical, achievable home programs. |
| 11:15-12:05 | Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT | Empowering Veterinary Technicians/Nurses to Perform Local Anesthetic Blocks | Focuses on empowering veterinary technicians/nurses to confidently perform local anesthetic blocks by building a repeatable workflow, clear communication scripts, and a competency-based practice pathway under veterinarian direction and hospital policy. Attendees learn how to set up the case, calculate and advocate for safe limits, execute clean technique on high-yield blocks (line, splash, ring), and document outcomes to demonstrate value. The goal is to help nurses move from “I’ve seen it” to “I can do it safely and consistently,” with a plan for training, sign-off, and real-world adoption. |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | ||
| 1:45-2:35 | Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DACVAA, CVPP, CVMA, CCRP | The Power of the Technician in Chronic Pain Management | Veterinary technicians play a vital role in the long-term management of chronic pain, serving as hands-on clinicians and key educators for pet owners. This lecture will highlight technician-led, non-pharmacologic and physical medicine interventions used in multimodal chonic pain managment, including underwater treadmill teherapy, therapeutic exercise, massage and myofascial manipulation, therapeutic laser, and shockwave therapy. Emphasis will be placed on how these interventions support pain modultation, mobility, and quality of life, as well as effective stragegies for educating clients and supporting the veterinary healthcare team. |
| 2:45-3:35 | Gwen Francisco, BA, MFA, LVT, CVPP | The Obesity Epidemic: A Devastating Threat to Our Patients' Health, QOL, and Longevity | More than one-half of veterinary patients are obese, many of them morbidly obese. This epidemic significantly compromises our ability to provide the best medical care for our patients and keep them pain free. In this presentation we'll review how excess weight can lead to painful inflammatory conditions such as joint disease, endocrine disease and cardiovascular disease. We'll explore treatment options as well as tools and strategies to help our patients achieve healthy body weight. |
| 3:45-4:05 | Break | ||
| 4:05-4:55 | Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT | Analgesia in Birds, Herptiles, and Small Exotic Mammals | This session provides a practical, multimodal approach to pain control in birds, herptiles, and small exotic mammals, emphasizing how to recognize pain and build effective perioperative plans. We will cover systemic analgesics, CRI decision-making and monitoring, and high-impact local/regional techniques that reduce inhalant needs and smooth recovery. Attendees will leave with simple frameworks and checklists to improve analgesia consistency in ER and surgical settings. |
| 5:00-5:50 | Panel Discussion |
April 19, 2026
IVAPM TRACK
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:50 | Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA | Horses Have Feelings Too: Equine Pain Management | A painful horse isn't a very useful horse - and can even be a dangerous horse. Systemic and local pain management strategies along with pain identification will be covered in this lecture. |
| 9:00-9:50 | Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC | Integrative Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in Equine Practice | This lecture explores integrative, non-pharmacological strategies for pain management in equine patients, focusing on evidence-based clinical applications. It covers acupuncture, laser therapy, ozone therapy, regenerative approaches, and physical modalities within a multimodal framework. Emphasis is placed on practical protocols and clinical case examples. The goal is to optimize welfare, rehabilitation, and athletic outcomes while reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals. |
| 9:50-10:15 | Break | ||
| 10:15-11:05 | Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC | Visualizing Pain: The Role of Thermography | This lecture focuses on the use of infrared thermography as a non-invasive tool for pain assessment and clinical decision-making. The session covers the physiological basis of thermal changes related to inflammation, neural dysfunction, and altered blood flow, and how these patterns correlate with pain. Practical applications include early detection of musculoskeletal and neurological pain, treatment planning, and monitoring therapeutic response. Clinical cases will illustrate how thermography integrates into multimodal and integrative pain management to improve accuracy, outcomes, and patient welfare. |
| 11:15-12:05 | Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC | Ozone Therapy: A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Pain Management | A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Pain Management is a lecture focused on the biological mechanisms and clinical applications of medical ozone in pain control. The session addresses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuromodulatory effects of ozone, including its role in improving oxygen metabolism, redox balance, and tissue healing. Practical protocols for musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain are discussed, supported by clinical case examples. Emphasis is placed on safe application, dosage principles, and integration into multimodal pain management strategies to reduce reliance on pharmacological therapies and improve patient outcomes. |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | ||
| 1:45-2:35 | Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA | How to STOP Pain: Local/Regional Blocks | Local anesthetics are very powerful analgesics that can have both an immediate and potentially long-term effect on pain. The drugs are easy to use and most local blocks can be done in any practice. The attributes of local anesthetic drugs will be described and detailed block instructions will be provided. |
| 2:45-3:35 | Melina Zimmerman, , DVM, DCVAA, CVPP, CCRP | Joint Injections: Techniques, Tips, and Best Practices | Joint injections are ian ncreasingly valuable tool in the multimodal management of osteoarthritis and other joint-pased pain conditions in veterinary patients. This lecture will provide a practical, clinically focused overview of joint injections, including patient selection, product choice, analgesia and anesthesia considerations, and step-by-step injection techniques. Emphasis will be placed on technique and individualized treatment planning. |
| 3:45-4:05 | Break | ||
| 4:05-4:55 | Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP | Joint Injections: When and What — Practical Strategies for Managing Chronic OA Pain | Intra-articular therapies remain a cornerstone of multimodal osteoarthritis management — but knowing when to inject and what to inject can be nuanced. This session explores both established and emerging joint injection options for chronic OA. Through real-world case examples, dosing guidance, and decision-making frameworks, attendees will gain practical tools to tailor joint injection strategies to individual patients. Emphasis will be placed on patient selection, timing, multimodal integration, and communicating expectations with clients. |
| 5:00-6:00 | Aaron Shaw Keynote |
AARV TRACK
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:50 | Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT | Conformation's Role in Risk of Injury to Canine Athletes | |
| 9:00-9:50 | Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT | Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries in the Canine Athlete | |
| 9:50-10:15 | Break | ||
| 10:15-11:05 | Sonia Lucas, PT, DPT, CCRT Jenny Moe PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT(NV) | Physiology of Soft Tissue Injury & Evidence-based Manual Therapies and Modalities for Soft Tissue Injury | |
| 11:15-12:05 | Sonia Lucas, PT, DPT, CCRT Jenny Moe PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT(NV) | Early Phase Rehabilitation | Including initial recovery milestones, targeted exercises, and criteria for a safe return to daily activity. |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | ||
| 1:45-2:35 | Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT | Targeted Exercises for Return to Work/Sport | |
| 2:45-3:35 | Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT | Thoracic Limb Lameness Evaluation of the Canine | |
| 3:45-4:05 | Break | ||
| 4:05-4:55 | Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT | Pelvic Limb Lameness Evaluation of the Canine | |
| 5:00-6:00 | Aaron Shaw Keynote |
April 20, 2026
Wet Labs
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30-9:30 | Tamara Grubb, DVM, DACVAA, PhD; Douglas Stramel, DVM, CVPP; Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DCVAA, CVPP, CCRP | Learning Local/Regional Blocks for EVERY Practice | Local anesthetics provide and inexpensive adjunctive component to multimodal pain management. In this lab we will review the mechanism of action of the various local anesthetics commonly used in veterinary medicine and provide hands on instruction to identifying landmarks and correctly performing common local/regional blocks. Techniques learned in this lab qualify for inclusion in the skills component of the CVPP application. CVPP certification. |
| 9:30-10:00 | Break | ||
| 10:00-12:30 | Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DCVAA, CVPP, CCRP | Joint Injections Lab | This hands-on laboratory session will provide participants with guided, practical experience performing joint injections in veterinary patients. Under direct instruction, attendees will practice patient positioning, landmark identification, aseptic technique, joint fluid aspiration, and intra-articular product administration for commonly injected joints. Emphasis will be placed on safe handling, needle selection, troubleshooting challenging joints, and integrating appropriate analgesia and anesthesia protocols. This lab is designed to build confidence and technical proficiency while reinforcing the role of joint injections within a comprehensive, multimodal pain management plan. |
| 10:00-12:30 | Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT | Clay Modeling Lab | |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | ||
| 1:30-4:00 | Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA | Musculoskeletal Anatomy for the Rehabilitation Practitioner | This cadaver lab will provided familiarity of important anatomy for those interested in rehabilitation. We want to focus on how exam findings translate to anatomy and vice versa. We will have the unique opportunity to dissect and view previously dissected specimens to get a detailed and closer look at the anatomy we are commonly assessing on the clinic floor. We will touch and examine commonly assessed structures in the shoulder, stifle and additional sites as time allows (carpus/antibrachium, common calcaneal tendon, etc.). Short lectures will cover common assessment techniques, special tests, and pathology in these areas followed by specimen dissection and assessment. Getting to see and handle the anatomy in small focused groups in this way will truly enhance your physical exam skills in these areas and provide a deeper understanding of use of these special tests and how anatomy feels and looks. |
| 1:30-4:00 | Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT | Gait Analysis Lab |
AARV wet lab details to come.
Time
Speaker and Topic
Description
Sponsor
8:00 -8:50 am
Beyond Multimodal: Rethinking Chronic Pain as a Disease, Not a Symptom
Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DACVAA, CVPP, CVMA, CCRP
Chronic pain is not simply persistent nociception - it is a maladaptive disease of the pain system itself. This session reframes chronic pain as a neuroimmune and neurologic disorder characterized by persistent activation and dysregulation of the pain pathway.
9:00-9:50 am
Acetaminophen - No Cats Allowed
Dispelling the myths on the utilization of acetaminophen for pain relief in both the canine and equine species.
9:50-10:15 am
Break
10:15-11:05 am
What Hurts and Why: Diagnostic Strategies for Uncovering Pain
Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP
Pain isn’t always obvious — and neither are its sources. This case-based presentation explores how diagnostic tools can illuminate hidden pain generators and guide more effective treatment plans. From elusive forelimb lameness to visceral discomfort like biliary pain, we’ll examine how radiographs, dynamic views, ultrasound, and CT imaging contribute to clinical clarity. Attendees will learn to recognize subtle radiographic and ultrasonographic changes, understand when advanced imaging is warranted, and appreciate the diagnostic nuances of chronic pain. The session also emphasizes how to communicate findings to clients in a way that builds trust and supports multimodal pain management. Whether the pain is orthopedic, neurologic, or visceral, diagnostics are the bridge between observation and relief.
11:15-12:05 am
Speaking Up for Comfort: Communication Strategies for Pain Advocates in Veterinary Practice
Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP
Veterinary technicians are often the first to recognize subtle signs of pain and discomfort in their patients — but advocating for those observations requires skillful, emotionally intelligent communication. This session explores how technicians can effectively communicate pain concerns with doctors, educate pet owners with clarity and empathy, and foster a collaborative, comfort-focused team culture. Through real-world examples and practical tools, attendees will gain confidence in navigating disagreement, building trust, and speaking up for patient comfort.
12:15-1:45 pm
Lunch
11:15-12:05 am
Speaking Up for Comfort: Communication Strategies for Pain Advocates in Veterinary Practice
Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP
Veterinary technicians are often the first to recognize subtle signs of pain and discomfort in their patients — but advocating for those observations requires skillful, emotionally intelligent communication. This session explores how technicians can effectively communicate pain concerns with doctors, educate pet owners with clarity and empathy, and foster a collaborative, comfort-focused team culture. Through real-world examples and practical tools, attendees will gain confidence in navigating disagreement, building trust, and speaking up for patient comfort.
1:45-2:35 pm
Measuring More Than Years: Functional and Frailty Assessment to Inform Pain Management in the Aging Patient
Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA
2:45-3:35 pm
Ketamine in Context: When and How to Use It in Multimodal Pain Plans Based on Current Evidence and Experience
Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA
Evidence and clinical experience continue to expand regarding the use of ketamine in the management of complex and chronic pain in both human and veterinary medicine. Ketamine is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist with additional effects on brain and spinal cord neuroplasticity, making it particularly relevant for patients with central sensitization and refractory pain states. This lecture reviews the evolving understanding of ketamine’s role in chronic and neuropathic pain, with emphasis on recent literature and clinically relevant mechanisms. Practical considerations for patient selection, route of administration, dosing strategies (including intravenous, subcutaneous, oral, and intermittent injections), and treatment frequency will be discussed. The role of ketamine within a multimodal pain management framework is emphasized, highlighting how it can be combined thoughtfully with other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to optimize outcomes in challenging pain cases.3:45-4:05Break
3:45-4:05 pm
Break
4:05-4:55 pm
The Role of NGF in Osteoarthritis Pain and Updates on Monoclonal Antibody Therapies
Elisabeth Kraus, DVM, CVPP
A review of the role of nerve growth factor in osteoarthritis pain, how monocloal antibody therapies can target excess NGF and share the three years of global experiences with Librela.
5:00-6:00 pm
Panel Discussion
Time
Speaker and Topic
Description
Sponsor
8:00 -8:50 am
Don’t Let Poor Communication Leave Your Patients Hurting; Strategies That Improve Veterinary Pain Management
Gwen Francisco, BA, MFA, LVT, CVPP and Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA
Patient comfort and health can suffer when members of the veterinary team are ambivalent about robust pain management. How can we communicate the vital role of pain mitigation to a colleague who may be inexperienced, unaware or afrai
9:00-9:50 am
Pain Management in the ER Setting: A Nursing Perspective
Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT
nursing-first workflow for rapid pain recognition, triage-based analgesia, and structured reassessment in emergency patients. Content focuses on practical medication selection, safe CRI setup and monitoring, local anesthesia “quick wins,” and how to balance comfort with perfusion, ventilation, and diagnostics. Attendees leave with a repeatable algorithm, monitoring checklist, and documentation framework that improves consistency and patient comfort in the ER.
9:50-10:15 am
Break
10:15-11:05 am
Exercise as Analgesia: Translating Pain Science Into Clinical Movement Strategies
Lindsey Fry, DMV, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA
This lecture explores how targeted movement and therapeutic exercise function as powerful analgesic tools in the management of chronic pain. Drawing from neuroscience, musculoskeletal physiology, and rehabilitation science, we examine how movement modulates pain through mechanisms such as central desensitization, improved neuromuscular control, enhanced tissue health, and anti-inflammatory signaling. The benefits of exercise reach beyond analgesia alone and are foundations for well rounded patient care. Emphasis is placed on understanding why movement reduces pain—not just that it does—allowing practitioners to design more intentional and effective exercise-based interventions. Practical strategies for selecting, progressing, and modifying exercises are discussed, with a focus on translating mechanistic principles into individualized, patient-centered treatment plans. This framework also supports clearer communication with pet owners about the role of exercise in pain management and helps improve adherence to practical, achievable home programs.
11:15 am -12:05 pm
Empowering Veterinary Technicians/Nurses to Perform Local Anesthetic Blocks
Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT
Focuses on empowering veterinary technicians/nurses to confidently perform local anesthetic blocks by building a repeatable workflow, clear communication scripts, and a competency-based practice pathway under veterinarian direction and hospital policy. Attendees learn how to set up the case, calculate and advocate for safe limits, execute clean technique on high-yield blocks (line, splash, ring), and document outcomes to demonstrate value. The goal is to help nurses move from “I’ve seen it” to “I can do it safely and consistently,” with a plan for training, sign-off, and real-world adoption.
12:15-1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45-2:35 pm
The Power of the Technician in Chronic Pain Management
Melina Zimmerman, DVM, DACVAA, CVPP, CVMA, CCRP
Veterinary technicians play a vital role in the long-term management of chronic pain, serving as hands-on clinicians and key educators for pet owners. This lecture will highlight technician-led, non-pharmacologic and physical medicine interventions used in multimodal chonic pain managment, including underwater treadmill teherapy, therapeutic exercise, massage and myofascial manipulation, therapeutic laser, and shockwave therapy. Emphasis will be placed on how these interventions support pain modultation, mobility, and quality of life, as well as effective stragegies for educating clients and supporting the veterinary healthcare team.
2:45-3:35 pm
The Obesity Epidemic: A Devastating Threat to Our Patients' Health, QOL, and Longevity
Gwen Francisco, BA, MFA, LVT, CVPP
More than one-half of veterinary patients are obese, many of them morbidly obese. This epidemic significantly compromises our ability to provide the best medical care for our patients and keep them pain free. In this presentation we'll review how excess weight can lead to painful inflammatory conditions such as joint disease, endocrine disease and cardiovascular disease. We'll explore treatment options as well as tools and strategies to help our patients achieve healthy body weight.
3:45-4:05 pm
Break
4:05-4:55 pm
Analgesia in Birds, Herptiles, and Small Exotic Mammals
Dan Scrivener, MEd, CVT, LVT
This session provides a practical, multimodal approach to pain control in birds, herptiles, and small exotic mammals, emphasizing how to recognize pain and build effective perioperative plans. We will cover systemic analgesics, CRI decision-making and monitoring, and high-impact local/regional techniques that reduce inhalant needs and smooth recovery. Attendees will leave with simple frameworks and checklists to improve analgesia consistency in ER and surgical settings.
5:00-5:50 pm
Panel Discussion
Time
Speaker and Topic
Description
Sponsor
8:00 -8:50 am
Horses Have Feelings Too: Equine Pain Management
Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA
A painful horse isn't a very useful horse - and can even be a dangerous horse. Systemic and local pain management strategies along with pain identification will be covered in this lecture.
9:00-9:50 am
Integrative Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in Equine Practice
Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC
This lecture explores integrative, non-pharmacological strategies for pain management in equine patients, focusing on evidence-based clinical applications. It covers acupuncture, laser therapy, ozone therapy, regenerative approaches, and physical modalities within a multimodal framework. Emphasis is placed on practical protocols and clinical case examples. The goal is to optimize welfare, rehabilitation, and athletic outcomes while reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals.
9:50-10:15 am
Break
10:15-11:05 am
Visualizing Pain: The Role of Thermography
Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC
This lecture focuses on the use of infrared thermography as a non-invasive tool for pain assessment and clinical decision-making. The session covers the physiological basis of thermal changes related to inflammation, neural dysfunction, and altered blood flow, and how these patterns correlate with pain. Practical applications include early detection of musculoskeletal and neurological pain, treatment planning, and monitoring therapeutic response. Clinical cases will illustrate how thermography integrates into multimodal and integrative pain management to improve accuracy, outcomes, and patient welfare.
11:15 am -12:05 pm
Ozone Therapy: A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Pain Management
Jean Joaquim, DVM, MSc, PhD, LAC
A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Pain Management is a lecture focused on the biological mechanisms and clinical applications of medical ozone in pain control. The session addresses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuromodulatory effects of ozone, including its role in improving oxygen metabolism, redox balance, and tissue healing. Practical protocols for musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain are discussed, supported by clinical case examples. Emphasis is placed on safe application, dosage principles, and integration into multimodal pain management strategies to reduce reliance on pharmacological therapies and improve patient outcomes.
12:15-1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45-2:35 pm
How to STOP Pain: Local/Regional Blocks
Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, CVPP, DACVAA
Local anesthetics are very powerful analgesics that can have both an immediate and potentially long-term effect on pain. The drugs are easy to use and most local blocks can be done in any practice. The attributes of local anesthetic drugs will be described and detailed block instructions will be provided.
2:45-3:35 pm
Joint Injections: Techniques, Tips, and Best Practices
Melina Zimmerman, , DVM, DCVAA, CVPP, CCRP
Joint injections are ian ncreasingly valuable tool in the multimodal management of osteoarthritis and other joint-pased pain conditions in veterinary patients. This lecture will provide a practical, clinically focused overview of joint injections, including patient selection, product choice, analgesia and anesthesia considerations, and step-by-step injection techniques. Emphasis will be placed on technique and individualized treatment planning.
3:45-4:05 pm
Break
4:05-4:55 pm
Joint Injections: When and What — Practical Strategies for Managing Chronic OA Pain
Lauren Retallack, DVM, MBA, DACVS-SA, CVPP
Intra-articular therapies remain a cornerstone of multimodal osteoarthritis management — but knowing when to inject and what to inject can be nuanced. This session explores both established and emerging joint injection options for chronic OA. Through real-world case examples, dosing guidance, and decision-making frameworks, attendees will gain practical tools to tailor joint injection strategies to individual patients. Emphasis will be placed on patient selection, timing, multimodal integration, and communicating expectations with clients.
5:00-6:00 pm
Aaron Shaw Keynote
Time
Speaker and Topic
Description
Sponsor
8:00-8:50 am
Conformation's Role in Risk of Injury to Canine Athletes
Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT
9:00-9:50 am
Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries in the Canine Athlete
Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT
Intra-articular therapies remain a cornerstone of multimodal osteoarthritis management — but knowing when to inject and what to inject can be nuanced. This session explores both established and emerging joint injection options for chronic OA. Through real-world case examples, dosing guidance, and decision-making frameworks, attendees will gain practical tools to tailor joint injection strategies to individual patients. Emphasis will be placed on patient selection, timing, multimodal integration, and communicating expectations with clients.
9:50-10:15 am
Break
10:15-11:05 am
Physiology of Soft Tissue Injury & Evidence-based Manual Therapies and Modalities for Soft Tissue Injury
Sonia Lucas, PT, DPT, CCRT Jenny Moe PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT(NV)
Intra-articular therapies remain a cornerstone of multimodal osteoarthritis management — but knowing when to inject and what to inject can be nuanced. This session explores both established and emerging joint injection options for chronic OA. Through real-world case examples, dosing guidance, and decision-making frameworks, attendees will gain practical tools to tailor joint injection strategies to individual patients. Emphasis will be placed on patient selection, timing, multimodal integration, and communicating expectations with clients.
11:15 am -12:05 pm
Early Phase Rehabilitation
Sonia Lucas, PT, DPT, CCRT Jenny Moe PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT(NV)
Including initial recovery milestones, targeted exercises, and criteria for a safe return to daily activity.
12:15-1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45-2:35 pm
Targeted Exercises for Return to Work/Sport
Alice Baker Meuten, DVM, DACVSMR, MS-TCVM, Cert. AVCA, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CYT
2:45-3:35 pm
Thoracic Limb Lameness Evaluation of the Canine
Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT
Thoracic Limb Lameness Evaluation of the Canine
3:45-4:05 pm
Break
4:05-4:55 pm
Pelvic Limb Lameness Evaluation of the Canine
Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT
5:00-6:00 pm
Aaron Shaw Keynote
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