Dominican Republic
Sports Dry Needling Program
20 CEUs • March 7–12, 2027
Join Toucan Abroad and Global Physio Training (GPT) March 7–12, 2027 for a Sports Dry Needling program in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
Deepen your clinical skills through specialized, small-group training while spending six days in Cabarete—exploring the Caribbean, recharging, and connecting with other clinicians who value growth and new experiences.
Be the first to know when registration opens in October.
Key Information
Location: Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Dates: March 7–12, 2027 · 6 days / 5 nights
Course: Sports Dry Needling System — Lower Extremity
Continuing Education: 20 CEUs
Program Fee: $2,695 shared room · $2,995 private room
Eligibility: PTs, PTAs, Athletic Trainers, and Physical Therapy Students (SPTs)
Registration: Opens October 2026
Clinical Education
The Sports Dry Needling System — Lower Extremity course is provided by Global Physio Training and combines focused instruction, clinical application, and extensive lab time.
16 hours of in-person instruction and labs
4 hours of pre-course study
20 CEUs
Small-group training focused on the hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot
Course materials and required lab supplies included
The course is designed to help participants build practical dry needling skills and understand how to integrate them into a broader approach to patient care.
“The course was extremely well organized, and Clint is an outstanding instructor. Apart from the education itself, the entire experience was unforgettable. It was truly the perfect balance of professional development and travel.”
Alexis Grecco • 2026 SDNS LE Participant • ★★★★★ Google Review
The Cabarete Experience
Outside of the clinical course, the program includes three organized excursions or experiences, along with group meals and free time to enjoy Cabarete.
Past program experiences have included:
Horseback riding in the Dominican countryside
Catamaran sailing with opportunities to swim and snorkel
Exploring local caverns with natural pools
Latin dance class like bachata or salsa
Beach time and free time to explore Cabarete
Participants who prefer a more relaxed option may also be able to swap one scheduled experience for a relaxing massage.
The exact 2027 itinerary will be announced before the program, with a balance of planned activities and open time to recharge or explore on your own.
Lodging, Meals, & Transportation
Participants stay 5 nights at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Cabarete, with both private and shared room options available.
Meals
Gourmet breakfast buffet every morning
One additional included meal each day
Welcome dinner on the first night
Farewell dinner on the final night
Transportation & Support
Roundtrip airport transfers to and from Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) on arrival and departure day
Transportation for all organized excursions and program activities
24/7 on-site support from Toucan Abroad staff
Participants are responsible for booking their own airfare.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
The exact 2027 itinerary will be announced before the program, but here's a look at how the 2026 experience balanced clinical education, organized activities, meals, and time to enjoy Cabarete.
Sunday — Arrival & Welcome
- Arrive at Puerto Plata International Airport (POP)
- Transportation to the beachfront hotel in Cabarete
- Welcome dinner
- Orientation and participant introductions
Monday — Course & Horseback Riding
- Breakfast and morning dry needling course
- Afternoon horseback riding through the Dominican countryside
- Evening free time
Tuesday — Course & Local Experiences
- Breakfast and morning dry needling course
- Explore the caverns at El Choco National Park
- Included lunch
- Evening Latin dance class
Wednesday — Course & Free Afternoon
- Breakfast and morning dry needling course
- Free afternoon to enjoy the beach, explore Cabarete, or relax
- Included group dinner
Thursday — Course & Catamaran
- Breakfast and morning dry needling course
- Afternoon catamaran excursion
- Lunch, swimming, and snorkeling
- Farewell dinner
Friday — Departure
- Breakfast
- Hotel check-out
- Transportation to Puerto Plata International Airport (POP)
Hear From Past Participants
Hear directly from clinicians who joined the 2026 program about the education, the group experience, and what it was like spending the week in Cabarete.
Course Content
Sports Dry Needling System — Lower Extremity (SDNS LE)
20 CEUs • 16 hours in person + 4 hours pre-course study
Learn a multimodal approach to dry needling for acute and subacute lower-extremity conditions in athletic populations, integrating dry needling with manual therapy and corrective exercise.
Clinical applications include hamstring strains, Achilles tendinopathy, patellofemoral pain, and other common athletic lower-extremity presentations.
Foundations
Build an understanding of relevant anatomy, neurophysiology, safety considerations, and the indications, contraindications, and precautions for dry needling.
Assessment & Clinical Reasoning
Use trigger-point referral patterns, motor dysfunction, and patient presentation to identify appropriate treatment targets and determine when dry needling fits into the overall plan of care.
Hands-On Techniques
Practice safe and effective dry needling techniques, including pistoning and electrical stimulation, for lower-extremity muscles in acute and subacute athletic populations.
Integrating Treatment
Combine dry needling with manual therapy and corrective exercise, including joint mobilization, soft-tissue techniques, neuromuscular re-education, and strength and control work.
Clinical Application
Assess patient response, adjust treatment variables such as depth, dosage, and adjunct therapies, and develop treatment plans based on objective measures, functional progress, and sport-specific demands.
CEU Approval
The Sports Dry Needling System — Lower Extremity course is approved for continuing education in most U.S. states.
For states that require individual course approval, including LA, IL, MN, NV, OH, OK, and WV, Global Physio Training provides the required course documentation and step-by-step submission instructions.
Participants are responsible for confirming their state’s current continuing education requirements with their licensing board.
Meet Your Instructor
Clint Serafino, DPT
Dr. Clint Serafino is the Founder of Global Physio Training Foundation (GPT), with more than 15 years of experience as a Physical Therapist.
His clinical background includes work with elite U.S. Military units, including Rangers, Green Berets, SEALs, and the Special Operations Command in Germany. In 2017, he completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, placing him in the 1% of PTs. Clint has also provided clinical expertise to athletes in MLS, NASCAR, Professional Bull Riding, and NCAA Division I sports.
Clinical Education Provided by
Clinical Education Provided by Global Physio Training
Global Physio Training (GPT) is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded by physical therapists to expand access to high-quality clinical education and professional training for healthcare providers worldwide. GPT offers in-person and online education focused on evidence-based clinical practice.
Pricing & Program Details
The program fee covers the clinical course, accommodations, meals, experiences, transportation, and on-site support throughout the week.
Review participant and plus-one pricing, payment details, inclusions, and policies below.
Participant Pricing
Shared Room (two beds): $2,695
Shared-room pricing is available when another participant has also requested a shared room. If no roommate match is available, private-room pricing will apply.
Private Room: $2,995
Both options include the full clinical course, 20 CEUs, five nights of accommodations, included meals, three organized experiences, airport transfers, program transportation, and on-site support throughout the week.
Plus-One Guests
Want to bring a spouse, partner, friend, or family member who isn't participating in the clinical course? They're welcome to experience Cabarete with you.
Plus-ones do not participate in the course or receive CEUs, but their program fee includes accommodations, included meals, transportation, and scheduled experiences.
- Sharing your private room (same bed): $1,295
- Sharing a room with separate beds: $1,495
- Own private room: $1,895
Pricing above applies to one guest. If you'd like to bring more than one guest, contact us and we'll help determine the best room arrangement.
Payment Details
- Deposit: A $500 deposit is required to confirm your registration.
- Deposit refund deadline: Deposits are fully refundable through November 15, 2026.
- Final balance: Full payment is due January 15, 2027.
Flexible payment options are available. If you need a different payment schedule, contact us before your balance deadline.
Cancellation Policy
- Through November 15, 2026: The $500 deposit is fully refundable.
- November 16, 2026 – January 15, 2027: The deposit is non-refundable. Any payments made beyond the deposit are refundable.
- January 16 – February 28, 2027: Cancellations receive a 50% refund of the total program fee.
- March 1, 2027 onward: No refunds are available.
What's Included
- Sports Dry Needling System — Lower Extremity course
- 20 CEUs through Global Physio Training
- 16 hours of in-person instruction and labs
- All required course materials, lab supplies, and equipment
- 5 nights at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Cabarete
- Gourmet breakfast buffet every morning
- One additional included meal each day
- Welcome dinner on the first night
- Farewell dinner on the final night
- Three organized excursions or experiences
- Roundtrip airport transfers to and from Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) during designated arrival and departure windows
- Transportation for all organized excursions and program activities
- 24/7 on-site support from Toucan Abroad staff
Not Included
- Roundtrip airfare to the Dominican Republic
- Travel insurance
- Meals not specifically included in the program
- Personal expenses and optional activities outside the scheduled program
FAQs
The program is designed for clinicians and students who value clinical education, travel, and connecting with other healthcare professionals in a small-group setting.
- Physical Therapists (PTs)
- Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs)
- Athletic Trainers (ATs)
- Physical Therapy Students (SPTs)
Yes. Chiropractors (DCs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs), and other qualified healthcare professionals are welcome to take the course and will receive a certificate of completion.
CEUs are currently available for Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers. For other professions, the course is not currently accredited for continuing education credit.
Participants should confirm that dry needling is within their professional scope of practice and permitted by their applicable licensing board.
The schedule is designed to balance clinical education with time to experience Cabarete. A typical program day may include:
- Morning: instruction and hands-on labs
- Afternoon: organized excursion, experience, or free time
- Evening: group meal or free time
The program also includes a welcome dinner on the first night and a farewell dinner on the final night. The final 2027 itinerary will be provided before the program.
- Main Airport (Recommended): Puerto Plata International Airport (POP). We provide group shuttles from POP to Cabarete on the arrival day, March 7, and back to POP on the final day, March 12, during designated transportation windows.
- Alternative Airport: Santiago (STI) is another option, but it is about 90 minutes away by car. If you choose STI, you will need to arrange your own transportation or coordinate with us ahead of time.
- Coming from elsewhere in the Dominican Republic? You are welcome to arrive independently. Detailed arrival timing will be provided before the program.
The CEU course is accredited in most U.S. states.
If you’re licensed in LA, IL, MN, NV, OH, OK, or WV, the course is eligible for individual CEU approval through your state board. GPT provides all required documentation and step-by-step instructions to make the process simple.
Note: Dry needling is not permitted in California or New York, so PTs in those states should check with their boards before registering.
20 CEUs through GPT (16 hours in person + 4 hours of self-study to be completed before the program).
Yes. Physical Therapy Students are welcome to participate and receive the same course hours and a certificate of completion.
The clinical course is limited to 20 participants. Plus-one guests do not count toward the 20-participant course limit.
Yes. Spouses, partners, friends, and family members are welcome to join as plus-one guests.
Plus-ones do not participate in the clinical course or receive CEUs, but their program fee includes accommodations, included meals, transportation, and scheduled experiences.
See the Pricing & Program Details section above for plus-one options and pricing.
Cabarete is a lively beachfront town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic known for its beaches, water sports, restaurants, outdoor activities, and relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.
Participants stay at a beachfront hotel and have both organized experiences and free time to enjoy Cabarete throughout the week.
Registration opens in October 2026. Until then, join the waitlist to be notified when registration opens.
Once registration opens, participants will complete a short registration form and pay a $500 deposit to confirm their spot.
The $500 deposit is fully refundable through November 15, 2026. The full program balance is due January 15, 2027.
There is no set registration deadline, but registration will close once all 20 participant spots are filled.
Yes. If two participants want to share one queen bed, one participant will pay the Private Room rate ($2,995), and the second participant will pay the reduced Shared Bed rate ($2,395).
Yes. To reserve your spot, you’ll pay the deposit upfront. After that, you can make custom payments whenever you’d like, in any amount, as long as the full balance is paid by January 15, 2027.
If you prefer structured monthly installments, we also partner with Affirm and Klarna. At checkout, you can choose one of these options to split the cost into equal monthly payments (e.g. 3, 6, or 12 months). Once approved, Affirm/Klarna pays us right away, and you make your monthly payments directly with them.
This gives you two flexible ways to pay — either make payments on your own schedule, or lock into a set monthly plan with Affirm or Klarna.
No. This is a fundamental, foundational course designed specifically for beginners and novice needlers. No prior dry needling training is required.
Join the Waitlist
Get more details and be the first to know when registration opens in October.
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