Program Description
The Diploma of Shelter and Rescue Work is an advanced and challenging program of study, exploring many aspects of working in the dog sheltering and rescue environment. The program explores domestic dog behavior and principles of learning as a foundation for more specialized courses in behavioral assessment strategies within the shelter environment; training and behavior modification techniques for shelter and rescue environments; disease risk management; environmental enrichment and emotional health management of dogs in shelters; the adoption process itself, and operations of shelters and rescue organizations.
This program requires Class participation (email list). This program also involves an externship in a shelter that the student will be responsible for arranging. The program will involve active learning. This program requires you to access several peer reviewed journal articles. You can find some of these online. Others may have to be accessed through a library.
This program requires approximately 434 work-hours.
Student will have access to their instructor for questions via email.
Student may participate in Classroom discussion.
Student will study the required material, complete assignments, and request the exams at their own pace but prior to the due date.
Enrollment Package Includes
- Coursework document with assignments and course notes
- Student Handbook
- Access to Classroom, with transcripts from Guest Visits and handouts
- Free membership with IIACAB and to all issues of its journal JACAB
- Access to your Instructor for one-on-one guidance
Courses (click on each title for course details)
- Domestic Dog Behavior - 103
- Principles of Learning and Behavior - 104
- Introduction to Shelter and Rescue Work – 230
- Temperament Evaluation – 231
- Training and Behavior Modification in the Shelter and Rescue Environment – 232
- Environmental Enrichment and Mental Health Management for Shelter / Rescue Dogs – 233
- Adoption Processes – 234
- Shelter and Rescue Independent Project – 235
- Externship – 236
Each course will have its own required resources but the following are required for the program in general:
- Yowser! A Guide to Defensive Handling Techniques by Sue Sternberg. Click here.
Tuition
Tuition is in Canadian funds (Currency Converter), + 4% fee for for online payments. Textbooks not included in tuition. They may be purchased through http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.com or http://www.half.com in most cases. Also check the Student Library. Canadian Residents 5% GST. Payment plan available for tuitions over $1000. See Enroll page for details on the payment plan option. Payment buttons may be found at the top of this page.
Option #1. $2400 Canadian (plus 4% service charge) = $2496.
Option #2. Payment plan. $1296 & 6 monthly payments of $240, requested on the first of each month after enrollment and due within 7 days from then.
Schedule
The program begins as soon as your enrollment is complete and you receive your enrollment package. Although we allow 3 years for this course, you are free to complete the course sooner if you can, and we do allow extensions if need be. Note that you will see time limits for each individual course on the course pages, but when you are enrolled in a diploma program there are no intermediate deadlines. Nothing is due before the program time-frame listed here.
Enrollment
Visit the "ENROLL" page and follow the application instructions.