TITLE: Beyond the Brace: Hands-On Techniques for Creating Custom Canine Supports and Splints
DATE/TIME:
Thurs. May. 20, 8:30am - 6:30pm
lab includes breakfast, lunch, and Wednesday evening cocktail reception with access to exhibitors
LAB RATING: Intermediate
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 20 spaces
CONTACT HOURS: 8.0
DESCRIPTION:
In this practical, hands-on lab, participants will explore the principles of canine splinting and bracing, from selecting the appropriate device to modifying or fabricating a customised support. Through clinical case examples and guided practice with live dogs, we'll examine how soft, semi-rigid, and rigid supports can be used to protect injured structures, manage joint instability, and improve functional mobility.
The emphasis is on learning by doing. Participants will work with materials such as neoprene, padding, hook-and-loop fasteners, reinforcement materials, and thermoplastics to create or adapt functional supports for common carpal and tarsal conditions. Biomechanical principles, patient assessment, measurement, and splint design will be covered. Special attention will be given to proper fit, pressure distribution, comfort, skin protection, and the practical considerations that determine whether a device will be successful.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of when and how to use external supports, along with practical skills and resources for developing patient-specific solutions as part of the rehabilitation plan.
Participants are expected to have a solid working knowledge of commercially available canine braces and splints, as well as some experience making minor modifications to improve fit and function
Beyond the Brace: Hands-On Techniques for Creating Custom Canine Supports and Splints
Your Instructor
Founder & President | Thera-Paw, Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO | STAAR Conference
Founder & CEO | Vital Vet, LLC
Ilaria Borghese brings more than 25 years of experience spanning scientific research, clinical practice, product innovation, and veterinary education. Her work has focused on bridging these disciplines to develop practical solutions that improve animal mobility, rehabilitation, and quality of life.
Ilaria earned her MS in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut and served as Clinical Coordinator for the Brain Research Center at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. She later continued her research at Yale University School of Medicine, publishing articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, before earning her MA in Occupational Therapy from New York University.
Inspired by the mobility challenges of her own Greyhound, Ilaria founded Thera-Paw, Inc. in 2001. Working closely with veterinary practitioners, she has developed innovative approaches to custom soft bracing, splinting, and assistive mobility devices for animals with special needs. She teaches internationally and co-authored a chapter on assistive devices, orthotics, prosthetics, and bandaging in the 2013 Wiley textbook Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
In 2010, Ilaria co-founded STAAR (Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation), bringing together leading experts and veterinary professionals for advanced, hands-on education in rehabilitation, sports medicine, and fitness. In 2020, she founded Vital Vet, an online resource connecting veterinary professionals and pet parents with trusted information, innovative products, and educational resources focused on animal mobility, rehabilitation, and wellness.
Ilaria has a longstanding interest in Greyhounds. She has lectured and published articles on paw-related conditions in retired racing Greyhounds and conducted and co-authored one of the largest epidemiological studies on the breed.
Throughout her career, Ilaria has sought to connect scientific knowledge with practical clinical applications, whether through developing assistive devices, collaborating with veterinary professionals, or creating opportunities for hands-on learning. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing animal rehabilitation and helping animals achieve the best possible quality of life.