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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 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 (GPCert) 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.
** Registration and examination fees for ISVPS are not 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$12,100 inc GST
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
AU $2,000 initial deposit will secure your place. The full balance of fees ($10,100) must be paid prior to the program start date (no program access will be granted until full payment is received).
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST.
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
All applicants must:
Please note: It is each delegate’s responsibility to ensure you meet the program entry criteria.
You can enrol directly via the Improve Veterinary Education website. The Team will invoice you for the program and once agreed fees are paid, you will be able to join the program. You can reach out to the Team at [email protected] if you have any questions on how to do this.
You will spend on average 3-4 hours per week, working through the supplied online content and materials at your own pace. Some candidates spend significantly more, if they are engaging on the forums and reading and researching additional content.
In working towards the General Practitioner (GPCert) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) qualifications for the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS), additional time will be required for assessments.
The full OL program must be completed within 12 months of the final module being delivered. For example, in a two-year program, you will have 3 years of access in total.
Candidates for the ISVPS Certifications are able to complete their assessment requirements and sit for the qualifications for a set time, after program completion with Improve Veterinary Education. Contact ISVPS directly for these guidelines on [email protected].
The Online Learning Programs are designed to be worked through at your own pace and time. For each program module, a specialist is available to answer questions on the discussion board.
The specialist is available for the month their module runs and this interaction is one of the most valuable parts of the program. You are strongly encouraged to participate if possible and ask questions, even if you have not fully completed the module, to take advantage of the ‘live’ board.
All the discussion boards Q&A are available to review after the module is complete and for the length of the program. Candidates are also encouraged to discuss cases and ask their colleagues questions on earlier modules, if they have not had the opportunity to ask the specialist.
Any deferral requests are considered on a case by case basis by the Improve Veterinary Education Team administering the Program. If deferral is agreed, it will include additional administration fees and charges. Specific modules of the program can not be deferred.
Yes, we do accept limited late admissions (subject to availability). If you join late, you will be required to catch up on the module content that you have missed. Please be aware that although discussion forums can be access after the module is finished, the Specialist Tutors are only available for questions during the month their module is being delivered.
The GPCert is a middle-tier postgraduate qualification awarded to veterinary surgeons who successfully complete a dedicated modular training program accredited by International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) and sit the associated ISVPS assessments, including online examinations.
Only registered veterinary surgeons who have been qualified for a minimum of one year can apply to undertake a General Practitioner Certificate.
To find out more about the ISVPS assessments please contact the team at [email protected] or visit the ISVPS website for more detail www.isvps.org.
The PgCert is a further postgraduate qualification that can be achieved either during or after your study for your GPCertificate.
Yes, there are additional assessment criteria from both ISVPS and Harper Adams University (HAU). There are also additional fees for the PGCert. Contact ISVPS directly at [email protected] for further information on how to achieve your PGCert.
Yes. Location of study does not affect/change this global program. We can accept delegates across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific region, and you will join the same global program. Additionally, all program 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).
As this program is accredited by ISVPS, you are also eligible to obtain the GPCert or PgCert qualifications.
Registration is made directly to ISVPS (for the GPCert) and HAU (for the PgC)once you are enrolled in the Online Learning Program. You will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration forms and pay additional fees as required.
ISVPS registration fees are NOT included in the program fee. GPCert registration are fees payable are made directly to ISVPS – you will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration form.