top of page

Advanced Canine Fitness (Cert.ACF)

The Certificate in Advanced Canine Fitness is designed to give the student specialized knowledge in canine fitness. This program will be of value to anyone who works with dogs professionally in canine sports, or in the role of trainer, behavior consultant, or other profession or as personal interest. Students can expect to do a lot of reading and learning in this program of study. Most of the questions require short answers, calculations, and/or analysis.

Do you want an advanced understanding of the science of fitness in dogs? If so this program of study may be just what you need.

This program of study involves reading course notes and, where specified, articles or course texts, and the completion of written assignments, most of the short essay answer type. Feedback and guidance are provided for assignments. Students may also take advantage of an email list with fellow students, grads, and faculty for questions and discussion or students may email their instructor directly. CASI uses a shaping model of education, setting the student up for success and providing support/guidance and multiple opportunities to refine and resubmit assignments rather than just slapping a grade on them and moving on. This results in greater conditioning and minimal stress for the student.

This program requires approximately 30 hours for assignment preparation (not including reading and study time).

Graduates will receive an Advanced Canine Fitness certificate (Cert.ACF).    

 

Tuition (Tuition can be paid on the ENROLL​ page)

 

$500.00 Canadian Dollars. (Currency converter. This provides only an estimate) Tuition is in Canadian funds. Canadian residents pay applicable sales tax.

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

  • Energy density

  • Chemical energy found in food

  • Gross energy

  • Digestible energy

  • Metabolizable energy

  • Dietary thermogenesis

  • Net energy

  • Nutrients

  • Calculating energy requirements

  • Factors influencing food intake and energy requirements

  • Meaning of complete and balanced diets

  • Different types of diets

  • Life stage requirements

  • Digestion and absorption

  • Nutrient content of ingredients

  • Nutritional program design

  • Massage

  • Stretching

  • Hydrotherapy/Aquatic therapy

  • Introduction to Chinese medicine

  • Introduction to canine rehabilitation

  • Introduction to Cryotherapy/Heat therapy

  • Introduction to Chiropractic therapy

  • Causes of obesity

  • Insulin

  • Health risks of obesity

  • Risk factors of obesity

  • Determining obesity

  • Energy balance

  • Weight reduction

  • Exercise

  • Maintaining weight loss

  • Preventing obesity

 

Program Package Includes:

  • Coursework document including assignments and handouts

  • Student Handbook

 

Courses (Scroll down for course details):

  • Nutrition for the Canine Athlete – 407

  • Therapies – 417

  • Obesity and Fitness - 419

 

Entrance Requirements:

 

Entrance into this program requires that you have completed a high school diploma program (exceptions can be made) and that you be at least 18 years of age. We recommend, but do not require, that students have a high school senior level science or biology course as preparation. Personal interest program of study.

Canine Fitness program

 

Schedule:

 

This program is self-paced within a 1-year time limit starting from the enrollment date. Enroll and get started any time you want from anywhere in the world.

Course Descriptions:

 

Nutrition and Fitness - 407

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course provides a look at nutrition as it relates to exercise and performance. Topics include nutritional requirements for different types of performance dogs, the functions of fats, carbohydrates and protein in the athletic body, and the effects of glycogen loading. It also takes a look at diets and ways of increasing density and important vitamins that need to be included. This course is evaluated by way of assignments.

 

Course Texts:

  • Course notes provided

 

Therapies - 417

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course provides a look at the most commonly used therapies and how they relate to injury, exercise, maintenance, and performance. Topics include massage, stretching, hydrotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and chiropractic care. It also takes a look at canine rehabilitation as well as the use of cryotherapy and heat therapy. This course is evaluated by way of assignments.

 

Course Texts:

  • Course notes provided

 

Obesity and Fitness - 419

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course provides a look at obesity as it relates to exercise and performance. It explores the different types of obesity, its causes and some of the ways in which veterinarians determine obesity. It also explores the use of food records and discusses the importance of family participation in weight reduction programs. Topics include nutrient requirements, risk factors, breed propensities, and the theories behind obesity. It also includes methods of determining obesity, safe methods of weight reduction, preventing obesity, and how to maintain weight loss. This course is evaluated by way of assignments.

 

Course Texts:

  • Course notes provided

bottom of page