Veterinary Certification in Pet Hospice and Palliative Care
If you’re passionate about providing compassionate end-of-life care to animals and their families, becoming a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV®) or Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician (CHPT®) is a great way to elevate your expertise and make a meaningful impact in your field.
The International Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certification Programs Pave the Way
Our certification programs are the first of their kind to certify veterinary professionals in the field of animal hospice and palliative care around the world. Veterinarians can become Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV®) and veterinary technicians can earn the title of Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician (CHPT®). These programs stand out not only for their unique focus on hospice and palliative care but also for their caliber of instructors who are experts in specialties such as neurology, cardiology, end-of-life care, and pain management.
This comprehensive continuing education curriculum is approved by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE). It includes approximately 100 hours of coursework designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and nurses in the field of animal hospice and palliative care.
Join Our Pioneering Certification Program
Enrolling in the IAAHPC’s CHPV/CHPT certification program offers a unique opportunity for veterinary professionals to broaden their understanding, improve their abilities, and make a more meaningful difference in the lives of animals and their caregivers.
Learn from instructors who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom ensuring you receive top-tier education from leaders in the field. This educational experience is tailored to equip veterinary professionals with the expertise and confidence needed to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to animals and their families during challenging times. Join us to be part of transformative education that you won’t find anywhere else.
How to Get Certified
The program is structured to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of animal end-of-life care. It covers a wide range of topics, beginning with an overview of basic concepts and gradually progressing to more advanced topics related to veterinary medical, nursing and caregiver care within the animal hospice model.
There are five requirements for program completion. By fulfilling these requirements, participants gain a holistic understanding of animal hospice and palliative care to be better equipped to provide compassionate and effective care to animals and their loved ones.
1
On-demand course modules
The CHPV/CHPT program consists of five modules, each covering specific aspects of animal hospice and palliative care.
- Module 1: Intro to Animal Hospice & Palliative Care
- Module 2: Communication
- Module 3: Advanced Animal Hospice & Palliative Care
- Module 4: Advanced Pain Management
- Module 5: Advanced Euthanasia Techniques
Students will earn over 50 hours of RACE-Approved medical topic CE and more than 20 hours of non-medical topic CE.
2
Conference attendance
Participants are required to attend the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) conference OR purchase and view the previous year’s conference recordings. This conference provides valuable opportunities for networking, learning about the latest developments in the field, and participating in workshops and discussions relevant to animal hospice and palliative care.
Advanced euthanasia techniques workshop (optional):
At the biennial IAAHPC conference, an advanced euthanasia techniques workshop is offered. This workshop provides participants with advanced training and techniques related to euthanasia.
3
Live communication workshop
Participants must also take part in the live communication workshop at the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) conference. This workshop may be conducted either virtually or in person at the biennial event. It focuses on enhancing participants’ communication skills in the context of animal hospice and palliative care which is essential for effectively supporting clients and their animals during difficult times.
4
Case report
This case report will be assigned to an independent grader anonymously. The report should be of the caliber that it could be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. For case report specifications, please email ahpcprogram@iaahpc.org.
5
Final examination
The certification final exam is designed to test a well-defined body of knowledge representative of the current professional practice in animal hospice and palliative care. The online exam consists of a mix of multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Meet our wonderful faculty.
Commit to Certification
Graduates of the AHPC Certification program are awarded the credentials of Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV®) or Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician (CHPT®). These credentials signify the successful completion of the program and demonstrate a commitment to providing exceptional end-of-life care and support to pets and their families.
For more information about the program, please contact our Program Administrator at ahpcprogram@iaahpc.org.
“It’s so nice as a technician to have a new sense of purpose, and know I can help people and animals in a more meaningful way.”
-Leah Bornhorst, RVT
“It’s a great course. I have recommended it to many people. I love the effort that everyone puts into it and the variety of topics. I honestly didn’t know what to expect so it’s been a pleasant surprise.”
-Lori Themel, DVM, CHPV
What graduates are saying
Ready to Enroll?
Set yourself up for success in your certification journey by first reviewing the curriculum and FAQs!