A 14 module completely online, comprehensive Exotic Animal Practice study program with a structured route towards postgraduate certification.
Exotic pets often fill veterinary surgeons with dread when they come through the consult room door. This program will assist you in consolidating your knowledge of exotic medicine and surgery and help you develop an informed clinical approach to exotic patients. This program has been developed by Improve Veterinary Education UK to provide up-to-date knowledge across a range of different zoological and exotic species.* A logical approach, from the initial examination and diagnostic sample collection, to anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and the workup and treatment of common and more complex diseases, is a core objective of the program. It also covers the latest techniques and therapeutic options for selected exotic animals and will give you knowledge and skills to treat your exotic patients. The Exotic Animal Practice Online Learning Program is accredited by the International School of Veterinary Post Graduate Studies (ISVPS) as a training program for the General Practitioner Certificate in Exotic Animal Practice.** * Please read the module learning objectives below for full details on the species covered as these predominantly focus on European/Northern hemisphere species, not Australian/tropical species. ** All registration fees for ISVPS are included in the course fees for this program.
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July 2024
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
September 2024
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
October 2024
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
November 2024
Module Speaker:
Charly Pignon DVM, Dipl. ECZM
Key learning objectives:
January 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Stephen Divers BVetMed DZooMed DECZM(Herp) DECZM(ZHM) DACZM FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
February 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
March 2025
Module Speaker:
Richard A. Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian) European Specialist in Zoological Medicine (ZHM)
Key learning objectives:
April 2025
Module Speaker:
Richard A. Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian) European Specialist in Zoological Medicine (ZHM)
Key learning objectives:
May 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
June 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
July 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
September 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
October 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
November 2025
Module Speaker:
Prof. Simon Girling BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS
Key learning objectives:
Charly Pignon graduated in 2005 from Alfort National Veterinary School (France) and wrote his veterinary thesis based on a wildlife conservation project in Cambodia. Following his studies, he worked in a wildlife rescue center in Alfort and in Paris Zoo (la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes). In 2009 Charly Pignon completed an Exotic Medicine Internship at Tufts University and when he returned to France, he created the Exotic Medicine Service in Alfort National Veterinary School. Charly Pignon is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small mammals), a board member of Yaboumba (French association for continuing education in exotic and wild animals), a past president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) and a member of the executive committee of the ECZM. His current field of research is in ear and orthopedic surgeries in small mammals, and blood transfusions in ferrets.
Prof. Simon Girling is currently Head of Veterinary Services to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo. He also runs a referral service in exotic species and has been appointed as a Professor by the University of Highlands and Islands. He gained his European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) and European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) status in 2012; his RCVS Diploma in Zoological Medicine in 2002 and his RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine status in 2003. Simon is:
Prof.Stephen Divers graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1994. He obtained his Certificate and Diploma in Zoological Medicine from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and is a recognized Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine as well as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Zoological Medicine (Herpetology and Zoo Health Management). He is a past-president of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, scientific editor of the Journal of Herpetological Medicine & Surgery and an associate editor for the Journal of Zoo & Wildlife Medicine. He has served on the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the small mammal and reptile/amphibian specialties, and was involved with the establishment of the zoological companion animal (exotic pet) examination of the American College of Zoological Medicine, as well as the European College of Zoological Medicine, herpetology and zoo health management subspecialties. Dr Divers has lectured at over 80 national or international conferences across the Americas,Europe and Australasia, and provided practical training and workshops in more than 12 countries. He has twice received the Best Speaker Award at the North American Veterinary (VMX) Conference and the International Conference on Exotics, and was voted “Exotic DVM of the Year” in 2006. Stephen is a tenured professor of zoological medicine, heads the Zoological Medicine Service, and supervises the zoological residency program (currently at 4 residents) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, USA. He has over 150 publications to his name comprising various editorships, book chapters, and scientific journal papers, including in Mader’s Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery; BSAVA Manual of Reptiles; Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery; Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine; and various issues of Veterinary Clinics of North America Exotic Pet Medicine.
RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian) European Specialist in Zoological Medicine (ZHM) Richard Saunders is a Staff Veterinarian at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Clinical Teacher at the University of Bristol. Additionally, he sees referral exotic pets at Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, Bristol, and is the veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. He qualified in 1994, obtaining his DZooMed (Mammalian) in 2010. He has authored numerous articles on rabbits, rodents and other wild and exotic species, and has contributed to a number of textbooks, including co-authoring "Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine", as well as several chapters for the new editions of the BSAVA Rabbit Manuals, and has co-authored "Rabbit behaviour and Welfare".
Full Payment Upfront: Total payable AU$13,500 inc GST
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
AU $2,000 initial deposit to secure your place. The full balance of fees ($$11,500) must be paid one month prior to the program start date (on or before 1 June 2024).
If your enrolment is being submitted within one month of the program start date and you would like to discuss payment options, please contact the Improve team.
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & examination fees.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
You must be a graduated Veterinary Surgeon with a minimum of 1 year clinical experience. Please check with Improve to ensure your suitability. It is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure you meet the program entry criteria.
All applicants must:
You will spend on average 3-4 hours per week. Preparation of assessments and revising for the final exam is additional depending on your route.
Online modules cannot be deferred without losing the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor
For up-to-date exam dates please visit www.isvps.org or email [email protected] for any specific queries
Yes, all the requirements for the ISVPS are online.
Full details of the ISVPS processes are made available after you have registered with the ISVPS. You will be given a login to the Candidates Area after registration. ISVPS also have individual contact points for each country. [email protected] is the Australian contact address and any questions can be sent to this address for follow-up.
The program must be completed within 6 months of the final module. GPCert candidates then have up to four years to satisfy ISVPS assessment requirements and obtain the GPCert.
Yes. Location of study does not affect/change this global program. We can accept delegates across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific region. Additionally, all content is pre-recorded so can be viewed at any time of day (i.e. time zone differences will not impact your access to content). However, you may need to allow extra time for tutor responses (as tutors will be based in Australia). If you intend to sit the GPCert qualification through ISVPS, this is online. Please contact the ISVPS directly for further information ([email protected]).