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RECOVER Veterinary CPR

About RECOVER Certification

  • RECOVER certification signifies one’s knowledge and skills are up to date with current evidence-based guidelines for veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Certification for veterinary professionals in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) is offered through a two-step process involving online and in-person training.
  • Certification is maintained by completing the online recertification course every two years. 

Why should I become RECOVER certified?

  • RECOVER CPR is the only official veterinary CPR certification recognized by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) and is a non-profit program.
  • RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuers® and RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuers® are prepared for the ultimate emergency through the knowledge and skills required to give their patients the best chance of survival.
    • Methods supported by evidence reviewed by over 100 experts in the field are boiled down to key points and are made practical to apply.
    • Removes the stress and doubts of CPR by making it systematic and organized, leading to better team satisfaction. Communication and trust are improved by empowering the team.

What are the benefits of RECOVER certification?

  • Completion of both the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) online modules will grant a total of eight and a half hours of RACE-approved CE.
  • RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer® and RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer® certificates are issued for display in veterinary practices and offices to inform pet owners of competent help.
  • Certification status can be confirmed by veterinary practice owners, employers, pet owners, and the public through the directory search on the web.
    • Your achievement and status can be shown through RECOVER badges to be placed on uniforms, communication materials, business cards, or practice websites.
    • Take advantage of the RECOVER community to ask questions, celebrate successes, give and receive support, and share your expertise.
    • RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuers® are eligible to become certified instructors to train other veterinary professionals and pet owners in veterinary CPR.

What should I know about RECOVER Certification at the VITA Conference?

  • Prior to attending the in-person laboratory sessions of these courses, you must complete the online RECOVER CPR training.
  • Please note that refunds cannot be issued for this purchase: once you have been registered in the RECOVER CPR database, your certification process cannot be transferred or canceled.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing in which you can safely and easily perform CPR (e.g., scrubs).
  • Correctly performed CPR requires moderate physical effort.
    • If you have any limitations that could impact your ability to perform two minutes of compressions while standing or kneeling, please describe them in the comment section during registration.
      • Our instructors can make accommodations for most candidates.

About the Instructors

Christine Rutter, DVM, DACVEC

Dr. Christine Rutter is an emergency & critical care specialist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (VSCS) at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). Her career has taken her from a clinical, teaching, and administrative position in a private, multispecialty small animal practice to a clinical junior faculty position in academia. She enjoys the role she plays in student and house officer teaching, personal academic development, and the clinical discovery process. She’s stimulated by the challenge of working with a diverse and talented group of professionals and takes advantage of opportunities to advance her teaching skills and participate in local, regional, and international continuing education events.

Justin Heinz, DVM, DACVEC

Dr. Justin Heinz is an emergency & critical care specialist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (VSCS) at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). He is focused on providing veterinary students, interns, and residents with practical applications of theoretical concepts and core skills. This includes building strong emotional intelligence, such as communication and conflict resolution. His current research interests are focused on transfusion medicine and clinical applications of antifibrinolytic therapies. Additionally, he is working to build an extra-corporeal renal replacement therapy program in the hospital, thereby increasing patient care abilities and potential research opportunities to include topics ranging from acute kidney injury to continuous renal replacement and plasmapheresis.