Basic Laparoscopy Course for Small Animal Veterinary Practitioners

As demand for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery in small animal practice continues to rise, it has become increasingly important for veterinarians to receive proper training in this field. Recent studies suggest that structured training programs and regular skill repetition are key factors for successful procedures with minimal complications.

Our basic laparoscopic surgery course is specifically designed for veterinarians with little to no experience in this area and aims to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in basic laparoscopic surgery procedures. The course will begin with bench-top laparoscopic models and simulators, and progress to live patient procedures, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to start practicing laparoscopy safely.

During the first day of the course, participants will learn about laparoscopic equipment and instrumentation through lectures and videos and will be introduced to various laparoscopic basic skills training tasks (such as peg transfer, pattern cutting, suturing, and the use of cautery-cutting sealing devices) and specific procedures (such as abdominal exploration, biopsy, and ovariectomy), which will be practiced on laparoscopic training models and simulators.

On the second day, participants will have the opportunity to perform a practical laparoscopy surgery procedure involving laparoscopic abdominal exploration and ovariectomy on live dogs. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to incorporate laparoscopy safely and effectively into their practice.

Veterinary Technician Training

Looking to enhance the laparoscopic skills of your veterinary technicians? Let them join the course and equip your technicians to handle the demands of Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) procedures. In addition to lectures and training on models (activities that are common to both DVMs and RVTs), technicians will learn about the preparation of MIS equipment and instrumentation, patient preparation for MIS procedures, and anesthesia considerations for patients undergoing MIS procedures that involve abdominal insufflation. By the end of the course, your technicians will be ready to assist efficiently in your clinic laparoscopic procedures.

CERTIFICATION

At the end of the course, each clinician will receive a certificate of small animal laparoscopy course completion.

Continuing Education Credits: 17 CE Credit Hours*

*This continuing education program was submitted to the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine (WU-CVM) Continuing Education Committee. It approved 9 hours of continuing education credit. WU-CVM would provide this CE credit as AVMA accredited veterinary college. Participants should be aware that some veterinary medical boards have limitations on the content and provider of continuing veterinary education credit. Please consult your state's practice act.

INSTRUCTORS AND LECTURERS

Dr. Ohad Levi, DVM

Dr. David Clark, DVM, DABVP

Dr. Lyon Lee, DVM, PhD, DACVAA

Dr. Young Joo Kim, DVM

Dr. Maria Fahie, DVM, DACVS

Ms. Annette Chavarria-Marron, RVT

Ms. Leslie Tortez, RVT

Ms. Prisma Martinez, RVT

And additional staff from our Pet Health Clinic (PHC)

COURSE LOCATION

Western University of Health Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

Pet Health Center

611 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766

https://pethealthcenter.westernu.edu/

COURSE SCHEDULE

DAY 1 – Saturday, May 31, 2025

8:00 am - 8:30 am Check-in and Breakfast (provided)

8:30am – 10:00am Dr. Ohad Levi: Introduction to laparoscopy- equipment/instruments, procedures, and laparoscopy surgery complications

10:00am – 10:30am Coffee break

10:30am – 11:30pm Dr. Lyon Lee: Anesthesia principals under insufflation

11:30pm – 12:30pm Lunch (provided)

12:30pm – 2:15pm Laparoscopic basic procedures training on models (laparoscopic tasks, vassal sealing devices, and ovariectomy on high-fidelity laparoscopic simulator)

2:15pm – 2:30pm Coffee break

2:30pm – 5:00pm Continue- Laparoscopic basic procedures training on models (laparoscopic tasks, vassal sealing devices, and ovariectomy on high-fidelity laparoscopic simulator)

DAY 2 – Sunday, June 1, 2025

8:00am - 8:30am Breakfast (provided)

8:30am – 10:00am Surgery - basic laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopic ovariectomy on live dogs

10:00am – 10:15am Coffee break

10:15am – 12:00pm Surgery - basic laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopic ovariectomy on live dogs

12:00pm – 12:30pm Lunch (provided)

12:30pm – 2:30pm Surgery - basic laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopic ovariectomy on live dogs

2:30pm – 2:45pm Coffee break

2:45pm – 5:00pm Surgery - basic laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopic ovariectomy on live dogs

REGISTRATION FEE

Fees:

Veterinarians - $2250

Veterinary Technicians - $500

(Only credit card payments are accepted through the registration site)

Registration is limited to eight veterinarians and two technicians. Once the course registration is full, please contact us, and additional names will be placed on a waiting list. If any spots become available, we will contact you.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations greater than 30 calendar days prior to the event's start day will result in a refund of 100% of registration costs. Cancellations less than 30 days before the event starts will result in no refund.

TRAVEL & LODGING

Travel

Local airports: Ontario International (ONT ~15 minutes) and Los Angeles International (LAX ~ 60- 120 minutes, depending on traffic)

Lodging

We recommend the following lodging based on distance to the campus.

POMONA

Sheraton Fairplex Hotel (~7 min. drive)
Address: 601 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
Phone: (909) 622-2220
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ontsi-sheraton-fairplex-hotel-and-conference-center/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0
CHINO HILLS

Ayres Hotel (~15 min. drive)
Address: 4785 Chino Hills Pkwy, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Phone: (909) 631-2922
Website: https://www.ayreshotels.com/ayres-hotel-chino-hills

Hampton Inn & Suites (~12 min. drive)
Address: 3150 Chino Ave, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Phone: (909) 591-2474
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ciccahx-hampton-suites-chino-hills/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-HX-CICCAHX&y_source=1_MjA4MzY1MS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D

CLAREMONT

Double Tree by Hilton (~14 min. drive)
Address: 555 W Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: (909) 626-2411
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ontcldt-doubletree-claremont/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-DT-ONTCLDT&y_source=1_MTM3MjY3NS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D

Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge (~10 min. drive)
Address: 425 W 1st St, Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: (909) 624-2272
Website: https://www.casa425.com/

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Ohad Levi [email protected]

Office: 909-469-8428

Thank You to Karl Storz – Endoskope for their continued support for the WesternU CVM Laparoscopy Training Program.

Host or Publisher Westernu - College of Veterinary Medicine