Mindfulness Meditation is a contemplative, secular evidence-based practice that allows for the development of increased self-observation and decreased reactivity. It can help to reduce stress, increase compassion and increase distress tolerance. With consistent practice, participants can experience a greater sense of well-being.
In this free course, we will explore not only the neurological benefits of mindfulness meditation, but also consider how the practice can and does enhance our professional and personal relationships. Each online session will include a meditation session, during which participants can learn to “grow” their own, personal meditation practice.
Presenter: Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP (Feline), MA. LCPC
Course Open: April 4-June 23, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Sundays, April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 16, 23, June 6, and 13, 2021; 7:00–8:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 0
*Note to Perspective Students: In order to reap the benefits of mindfulness practice, it is crucial that participants are willing to commit to 10-20 minutes of sitting meditation practice most days (no less than five out of every seven days). Less consistent practice typically results in participants being frustrated and abandoning meditation. Mindfulness meditation practice, over time, does result in positive benefits, but these benefits typically correlate with the time devoted to sitting practice.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to VIN members interested in learning how to use Mindfulness in their practices and daily lives.
Accreditation: This course does not qualify for AAVSB RACE approval.
Course Agenda:
Week 1 (Real Time Session April 11, 2021): An Introduction to Mindfulness
In this overview, we will look at the history of the practice, its earliest practitioners and discuss its move to the West in the 1970s. We will consider the research into mindfulness and some of its implications for enhanced professional and personal relationships.
Week 2 (Real Time Session April 18, 2021): The Neurobiology of Mindfulness
Increasingly, interest in mindfulness has focused on the positive brain changes that come with consistent practice. In this session, we will review some of that research and consider its implications.
Week 3 (Real Time Session April 25, 2021): Sympathy, Compassion and Empathy
Research into mindfulness consistently supports the greater development of compassion and empathy among practitioners. We will review how sympathy, compassion and empathy differ, what compassion and empathy really mean and how to develop healthy empathy.
Week 4 (Real Time Session May 2, 2021): Mindful Boundaries
Mindfulness allows us to create healthy boundaries, which actually enhances our own welfare and allows us to be better professionals, friends and partners. In this session, we will review rigid and fluid boundaries, why boundaries are important, some reasons why many have difficulties establishing good boundaries and how mindfulness practice can help us establish good boundaries
**** BREAK – May 9, 2021 ****
Week 5 (Real Time Session May 16, 2021): Working with Reactivity
Mindfulness allows us to put a “pause” between thoughts/words and actions. How can we bring this reduced reactivity into our daily lives? We also will consider anger, from a cycle of loss-anger-rage and revenge.
Week 6 (Real Time Session May 23, 2021): The Mindful Veterinarian
Mindfulness can help enhance our ability to care for our patients, and can help us with difficult client and staff interactions. With mindfulness, we can avoid burnout and develop a sustainable, enjoyable career of service. In this session, we will review how mindfulness can help us develop a new approach to our daily lives as health care providers.
**** BREAK – May 30, 2021 ****
Week 7 (Real Time Session June 6, 2021): Mindfulness, Perfectionism and Self-Compassion
Perfectionism is rampant among health care providers, including veterinarians, and can result in depression, anxiety and suicidality. Many of us find that it is easier to provide compassion to others than ourselves. In this session, we will consider perfectionism as an Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) and understand how self-compassion (the ability to treat ourselves in times of distress as a good friend would) helps to mitigate perfectionism.
Week 8 (Real Time Session June 13, 2021): Putting It All Together
In this final session, we will review highlights of the previous seven weeks, discuss how to develop a personal mindfulness practice and consider the challenges and rewards of doing so.
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.
Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.
Tuition: Free to VIN members
*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on April 11, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.
*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.
- Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
- Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
*For more information on VIN’s upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.
Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director
VIN CE Services: CEonVIN
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357
Dr. Camille Ward is the President and founder of About Dogs LLC, where she specializes in behavioral consultations for the prevention, modification, and management of canine behavior problems. Her philosophy stresses relationship building and working from the dog’s point of view.