Question 1

1. How many ATF hours do I need per year as a veterinarian, and what is the best way to accumulate them?

Accepted Answer

In Germany, veterinarians are required to regularly participate in recognized continuing education courses. Proof of this is provided through so-called [documents/certificates/etc.]. ATF hours – i.e., training hours provided by the Academy for Veterinary Continuing Education (ATF) They must be examined and recognized. The exact number of ATF hours required annually depends on the federal state and the respective professional status:
– General veterinarians: usually at least 20 ATF hours per year
– Specialist veterinarians: frequently 30 ATF hours per year
– Continuing education providers: up to 40 ATF hours annually
Our Courses with ATF hours Our courses are designed to help you fulfill this requirement simply, efficiently, and practically. Instead of booking numerous small online courses, you can accumulate the full annual ATF hours in just a few seminars with us – including practical training, personal support, and a recognized certificate.
The Doc4Pets Academy offers numerous Courses with ATF hours, From the fundamentals of abdominal surgery to specialized topics such as BOAS, TPLO, or thoracic surgery, each course offers official, documented ATF hours recognized by all state veterinary associations. This allows you to combine your legal obligation with genuine professional development.
Tip: Use the 15 % Early Bird Discount until December 31, 2025, To book your courses with ATF hours for 2026 at a particularly low price. This way you secure your places, save money and fulfill your continuing education requirements on time – without stress, but with maximum benefit.

Question 2

2. How does the recognition of ATF hours work, and what makes our courses so special?

Accepted Answer

For an event to be recognized as a course with ATF continuing education credits, it must be reviewed and certified by the Academy for Veterinary Continuing Education (ATF). This involves evaluating aspects such as content, learning objectives, target audience, duration, and the qualifications of the instructors. Only if all criteria are met does the organizer receive an official ATF accreditation number – and you, as a participant, receive an ATF certificate upon completion of the course. Our courses with ATF credits meet all these requirements – and even exceed them. We focus not only on formal ATF criteria but also on maximizing practical benefit: Each seminar is led by experienced veterinary specialists like Dr. Kühnel-Lawatsch, who brings decades of surgical experience. You learn not just from theory, but directly from clinical practice. Your ATF credits are automatically recognized via the certificate of participation you receive upon completion of the course. This document is valid nationwide as proof of participation for your state veterinary association. This means you don't have to worry about additional bureaucracy – we take care of that for you. Our courses with ATF hours are therefore not only officially recognized, but also practical, efficient, and reflect the latest advancements in veterinary science. So, if you're looking for quality, legal certainty, and clinical benefit, Doc4Pets Academy is the right place for you.

Question 3

3. Are there online courses with ATF hours, and how do they differ from face-to-face seminars?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are now online courses with ATF (Academy for Veterinary Continuing Education) credits that are recognized by the Academy for Veterinary Continuing Education. However, these must meet strict quality standards to receive ATF certification. These include a defined target group (veterinarians), clear learning objectives, verifiable course duration, and assessment of learning progress – usually in the form of an online test or questionnaire. Online courses with ATF credits are particularly useful for theoretical topics or review content, such as pharmacology, hygiene, behavioral therapy, or imaging. For complex surgical training, however, in-person seminars are significantly more effective. This is because it's not just knowledge that counts, but practical application – learning and practicing precise surgical techniques, tissue handling, suturing methods, and decision-making under supervision. The Doc4Pets Academy therefore deliberately offers primarily in-person courses with ATF credits, where you gain real surgical experience. This means: no passive listening, but active participation, practice, and implementation. Every step is demonstrated, corrected, and perfected by our instructors. Of course, you can also fulfill your ATF hours through a combination of online and in-person courses. Many participants use online courses as a supplement, but the hands-on courses with ATF hours at Doc4Pets remain the core of any sound surgical continuing education.

Question 4

4. Are ATF hours tax-deductible, and is investing in courses with ATF hours really financially worthwhile?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Continuing education costs, including your courses with ATF (Academic Training Funding) hours, are fully tax-deductible in Germany. This applies to veterinarians in private practice as well as employees and clinic staff. Not only the course fees themselves are deductible, but also travel and accommodation expenses, meal allowances, and professional literature, provided they are related to your professional activities. This means your courses with ATF hours are a doubly smart investment – in your professional competence and in your financial efficiency. You increase your professional value, improve the quality of your treatments, and benefit from tax advantages at the same time. Furthermore, the 15 % early bird discount, valid until December 31, 2025, offers another way to make your continuing education particularly cost-effective. Those who book early not only secure the best price but also the best spots – many of our popular courses with ATF credits are booked months in advance. In the long run, continuing education of this kind quickly pays for itself: More knowledge means more precise diagnoses, more successful surgeries, satisfied pet owners – and therefore greater financial success for your practice. Our courses with ATF credits are therefore not only tax-efficient but also a real career booster.

Question 5

5. What happens if I fail to fulfill my continuing education requirements, and how can courses with ATF hours help to avoid this?

Accepted Answer

Failure to fulfill continuing education requirements can have unpleasant consequences. In many German states, the state veterinary associations regularly check whether the required ATF (Advanced Training for Veterinary Surgeons) hours have been completed. Those who fail to submit the necessary documentation risk written warnings, requests for additional documentation, and, in the worst case, disciplinary action. Therefore, it is all the more important to participate in courses offering ATF hours in a timely and consistent manner. Our seminars are structured so that you can conveniently accumulate your hours throughout the year – with each course, you receive an official certificate of participation with an ATF number. The Doc4Pets Academy offers the advantage that you can cover your entire annual quota with just a few ATF-qualified courses. Thanks to the high ATF value (often 7–14 hours per seminar), you fulfill your obligation efficiently and without stress. Furthermore, we actively support you with documentation: After each course, we issue you a formal certificate that you can submit directly to your veterinary association or file in your personnel file. This way, you'll always have a clear overview of your continuing education certificates. It's best to plan your ATF hours in the autumn of the previous year and secure your places early – especially since the early bird code EARLYBIRD offers a generous 15% discount on all 2026 courses until December 31, 2025. This not only helps you avoid bureaucratic hurdles but also allows you to actively invest in your professional future.

course	Date	ATF hours (estimated)
Fundamentals of Abdominal Surgery	February 27–28, 2026	14
TPLO 1/2026	March 21, 2026	7
Advanced Abdominal Surgery	May 8–9, 2026	14
Patellar luxation	May 23, 2026	7
Oncological Surgery	June 26–27, 2026	14
Endodontics & Jaw Trauma	September 3–5, 2026	7 + 7
Operations in the anal and perianal area	September 12, 2026	7
Reconstructive Surgery 2026	September 26, 2026	7
Thoracic surgery	November 6–7, 2026	14
TPLO 2/2026	November 28, 2026	7
ENT/BOAS Surgery	December 4–5, 2026	14

Courses with ATF hours