A newly patented canine teaching model developed by Dr. Robert Gilley, a professor and department head at the Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM), is transforming the way veterinary students learn to diagnose cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures in dogs.
The CCL is one of the primary ligaments that help stabilize a dog’s knee. Injuries to the CCL are common and often require extensive veterinary care. Gilley’s full canine pelvic limb model simulates a CCL rupture and is designed specifically for educational use, allowing students to safely and ethically practice diagnosing one of the most common orthopedic injuries in canine patients.
“After teaching orthopedic surgery to veterinary students for almost 25 years, I realized the need for a model to teach students this important clinical skill,” Gilley said. “CCL rupture is the most common orthopedic condition in dogs, and teaching this skill is important to produce day-one-ready veterinarians after graduation.”
Unlike previous methods that rely on real patients experiencing pain, Gilley’s model offers a consistent and repeatable learning experience in the classroom or clinical skills lab. The model underwent rigorous testing and a validation study, earning praise from veterinary experts for its effectiveness and educational value.
“There are no other available models to teach this skill,” Gilley adds. “The availability of this model limits the need for a patient to present with the condition to learn and even master this skill.”
LMU-CVM is now preparing to fully integrate the model into its clinical skills curriculum, and Gilley sees potential for widespread adoption.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 6600 or visit us online at vetmed.LMUnet.edu.
