The CAS Institute provides comprehensive, challenging, distance-oriented certificate courses, diploma programs and optional intensive Internship Programs designed to thoroughly prepare graduates for a career in professional dog training, behavior consulting, dog daycare operation, and shelter and rescue work, or to help you excel in competitive canine sports such as obedience or agility.
We can also help you develop a strong understanding of canine nutrition and fitness, particularly useful for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants, breeders, pet shop retailers, groomers, daycare operators, pet food company staff, veterinary behaviorists, and would make an excellent first step for those interested in becoming a professional dog nutrition or fitness consultant.
Whether you are preparing for a career in professional animal training and behavior consulting or looking to advance an established career with solid science-based skills, a valuable credential and education requirements for professional association membership or certifying body certification, the CASI Institute will provide you with a solid, comprehensive, systematic and in-depth understanding of the principles, strategies and techniques you need.
Our goal is to make a completely distance oriented education as hands-on and in-person as possible, providing a smooth and solid transition to a professional career by encouraging academic studies, hands-on skill practice, and providing educational credits for professional certification. We take the success of our students very seriously and are completely dedicated to that goal!
With access to our online Classroom, students from around the world can interact with each other and our graduates and Advisory Board Members / Faculty to discuss, and explore topics of interest including assignment topics, career development, help with challenging actual cases students may be working, and general networking and support. We host world renowned experts for discussion such as Jean Donaldson, Pat Miller, Chris Bach, Dr. Karen Pryor, Dr. Deb Jones, Cheryl Smith, Beth Duman, Bill and Kellyann Conway, Dr. Jean Dodds, Sue Sternberg, Lorna Coppinger, Janis Bradley, Nicole Wilde and others.
Why choose CAS Institute to learn with?
- You’ll find our programs are advanced and comprehensive, and are based on solid, current behavior analytic and nutritional science research, utilizing powerful research-based techniques and strategies for changing behavior. These are not your common basic and cursory or fad-based courses, which are advertised as 'in-depth'; they are truly comprehensive.
- CAS Institute provides students and graduates with extensive ongoing academic and professional support. Throughout your studies, you will have access to Faculty—all practicing industry-leading professionals known around the world for their exceptional skill, knowledge and body of work, and all dedicated to our students' academic success and career development.
- Furthermore, we are dedicated to animal-friendly methods and the natural science of behavior.
Our students, former students, graduates and faculty really go places. Lynn Hoover became co-founder (along with James O'Heare) and president of the International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants, Kellyann Conway has been the president of the Association for Pet Dog Trainers, Mychelle Blake is editor of the Chronicle of the Dog, published by the APDT and Animal Behavior Consulting: Theory and Practice, published by the IAABC. Parvene Farhoody has been president of the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers and Lisa Clifton-Bumpass was the secretary and chair of the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers Exam Development Committee. The list goes on. Check out our testimonials page. We are very proud of the fact that our students are very pleased with their experience with CASI.
Please explore the web site and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
Two Phases
The CAS Institute makes use of a two-phase system of helping students develop their professional careers in dog training and behavior consulting. The student may progress through one or both phases.
- Phase one involves our courses and diploma programs of study, which make use of academic exploration of important principles and techniques, practical assignments for professional development and hands-on assignments to develop training skills. Graduates are awarded certificates, diplomas and are not required to move to the next phase if they do not wish to.
- Phase two is for graduates that wish further support with their career development. This is our Internship program. It provides even more hands-on experience in the field of either training or behavior consulting.
How to Get Started
Here is how it works taking a course or program of study through The CAS Institute:
- Step #1. Explore the diploma and certificate programs and courses and decide what would be best for your goals. Ask us any questions you like to help ensure you make the right choice for yourself.
- Step #2. Click the ENROLL link to complete the enrollment application. You will be notified whether you are accepted or not and if you are accepted you will receive the enrollment agreement to complete.
- Step #3. Make tuition Payment and order required materials. Payment plans are available for some programs.
- Step #4. Start studying the required materials and working on your assignments.
What the Student Gets
- Access to industry leading professionals (faculty) with extensive experience and knowledge for questions, help and discussion. Learning and professional development support from successful experts in the field.
- Access to fellow students, many of which are established professionals, willing to help with coursework, cases you may be working or problems you may be having with your own dog.
- Access to the Student Library for borrowing books.
- FREE membership with with the Association of Animal behavior Professionals http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com
- Course notes to support the course texts and help you learn more about the topics.
- Access to Guest Speakers when they are available as well as transcripts from previous Guest Speaker visits.
- Use of The Companion Animal Sciences Institute Student logo for marketing and advertising purposes.
- FREE subscription to the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior (behavioral students) including all back issues.
What the Graduate Gets
- Solid, comprehensive foundational education from a respected educational institution, and necessary knowledge to work professionally with dogs.
- Continuing Education Units for CCPDT recertification requirements.
- Credits toward certification through the IAABC
- Credits toward Association of Animal Behavior Professionals Professional Membership.
- Diploma credentials and appropriate letters representing graduation (e.g., Dip.DTBC.).
- Right to advertise and market The Companion Animal Sciences Institute graduation and use the Companion Animal Sciences Institute Graduate logo
- Letter of recommendation from The Companion Animal Sciences Institute identifying your graduation that can be used for employment opportunities or with certification through professional associations (graduate of a diploma program).
- Access to Internship opportunities toward credit for hands-on skill practice and competencies.
Mission
The mission of The CAS Institute is to provide comprehensive and advanced science-based education in animal behavior, training, behavior change programming, fitness and nutrition in a distance format that promotes both academic knowledge and hands-on skill practice in order to help students advance their professional competence.
Course Approvals, Memberships, Continuing Education Units and Certification Options
See our Course Approvals page.
Faculty
Our Advisor Board members and instructors are industry leading professionals with extensive experience and education. Each of us is dedicated to the career development of our students and graduates. If you would like to know more about the faculty please visit our faculty page.
Further Information
For further information please explore the web site through the links to the left and visit our FAQ page. And of course do not hesitate to email us with any questions you might have. We are pleased to provide answers.
