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Advanced Canine Nutrition
Certificate (Cert.ACN)

Program Description

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The Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate program, building on the Cert.CN program is an in-depth exploration of more advanced topics in nutrients, obesity, behavior, and other topics related to this area of study. This program provides the solid knowledge necessary to understand the world of canine nutrition. This advanced coverage is designed to be more in-depth than other programs available. It would be of interest to anyone seeking this level of knowledge in canine nutrition for personal interest or to advance their career in the field. While this program does not include coursework in consulting skills, professional ethics, or business practices, it is comprehensive in advanced topics in nutrition science.

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This program of study involves reading course notes and, where specified, articles or course texts, as well as completing written assignments, which are primarily short essay-type questions. 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 employs a shaping model of education, setting students up for success by providing support and guidance, as well as multiple opportunities to refine and resubmit assignments, rather than simply assigning a grade and moving on. This results in greater conditioning and minimal stress for the student.​​

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We recommend, but do not require, that students have a high school senior-level science or biology course as preparation.

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​The optional Graduate Workshop in formulating diets is open only to Graduates of the Canine Nutrition program. This Workshop includes an Excel spreadsheet for formulating diets along with instructional videos that explain how to use it as well as personal instruction. This workshop uses a Facebook page for answering questions and brainstorming. Upon completion, a Certificate will be awarded. This is an extremely valuable resource!

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This program requires approximately 40 hours for assignment preparation (not including reading and study time).

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The graduate would be awarded an Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate (Cert.ACN).

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Prerequisite Requirement: The Canine Nutrition (Cert.CN) program is a prerequisite to the Advanced Canine Nutrition (Cert.ACN) program.

Tuition

 

$999.00 Canadian Dollars. (Currency converter. This provides only an estimate. Tuition is in Canadian funds. Textbooks are not included in tuition. They may be purchased through: http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.comhttp://www.half.com or http://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/sacn5_download.html in most cases. Canadian residents pay applicable sales tax.

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

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  • Nutrients

  • Obesity

  • Terminology: RBW, RER, EER, BCS, TEF, AF

  • Morphometric measurements

  • Breed prevalence

  • Keeping records

  • Weight loss programs

  • Nutritional effects on behavior, protein levels, blood sugar, etc

  • Neurotransmitters and amino acids; tryptophan, serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, etc

  • Blood-brain barrier

  • Fatty Acids

  • Omega 6 vs. Omega 3

  • Allergic skin reactions, atopy, food allergies, pruritis

  • Supplementation

  • Elimination diets

  • Canine athletes, endurance, sprint, physiology, glycogen storing, and repletion

  • Feeding guidelines for performance dogs

  • TCA cycle

  • Specific nutrient requirements for common disease states

  • Risk factors associated with common disease states  

  • Common testing and procedures

  • Six intestinal parasites and testing

  • Understanding urinalysis, fecal analysis, bloodwork, thyroid testing and ATCH stim testing

Program Package

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  • Coursework document including assignments and handouts

  • Student Handbook

Courses (Scroll Down for Course Details)

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  • Canine Obesity 307

  • Nutrition and Canine Behavior 309

  • Nutrition and the Working Dog 311

  • Understanding Lab Work 314

  • Adverse Food Reactions & Skin and Coat Disorders 316

Entrance Requirements

 

Entrance into this program requires that you have completed a high school diploma program or equivalent (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 Nutrition Certificate 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

 

Canine Obesity - 307

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

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Course Description:

This course is an in-depth examination of obesity in dogs. It explores the different types of obesity, its causes, and some of the methods veterinarians use to determine obesity. It also examines the use of food records and highlights the importance of family involvement in weight reduction programs. This course also explains the calculations used to determine caloric requirements for a successful weight loss program and why it is essential to prevent obesity in puppies and juveniles.

 

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

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  • Tips for encouraging safe weight loss

  • Nutrient requirements

  • Risk factors

  • Breed propensity

  • Caloric requirements for weight loss and maintenance

  • Roles of the veterinarian

  • Methods of weight loss

  • Supplements for obesity

  • Causes of obesity

  • Understanding the difference between RBW and BCS

  • Defining obesity

 

Required Resources:

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Nutrition and Canine Behavior - 309

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

 

Course Description:

This course explores how nutrition influences behavior. From various types of feeding behavior to its influence on neurotransmitters, nutrition plays a significant role in shaping behavior. It also examines the behavioral signs associated with allergic responses and the impact of low blood sugar. Although medical issues are addressed, this course does not instruct in the diagnosis or treatment of medical disorders or diseases.

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

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  • How diet can influence aggressive behavior

  • Allergic reactions

  • Amino acids and neurotransmitters

  • How neurotransmitters influence behavior

  • Blood-brain barrier

  • How diet can influence neurotransmitters

 

Recommended Reading:

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  • DeNapoli, J. S., Dodman, Nicholas H., Shuster, Louis, Rand, William, Gross, Kathy. (2000). Effects of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity in dogs. Journal of the American Medical Association, 217(4), 504-508. Click here for info.

  • Dodman, N. H., Reisner, I., Shuster, L., Rand, W., Luescher, U. A., Robinson, I., and Houpt, K. A. (1996). Effects of dietary protein content on behavior in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 208(3), 376-379. Click here for info.

 

Required Resources:

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  • Course notes provided.

Nutrition and the Working Dog - 311

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

 

Course Description:

This course discusses the different requirements for various types of canine athletes. It explores the various types of exercise and how the body utilizes nutrients to fuel these activities. This course examines how nutrition impacts performance and the dietary needs of athletes. It also discusses glycogen and its importance to exercise and performance.

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

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  • Feeding plans for different athletes

  • Food requirements and digestibility

  • The function of glycogen

  • Antioxidants - function and sources

  • How nutrients affect performance

  • Nutritional requirements for different types of athletes

  • Endurance vs. sprinting type exercises

 

Course Resources:

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Understanding Lab Work - 314

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

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Course Description:

This course provides an in-depth examination of testing procedures for both common and uncommon diseases and parasites. It is not meant to be a means of diagnosis; that is a process only a qualified veterinarian should perform. It simply discusses the methods used for testing and what those results may look like. It also explores some of the options that are available for additional testing.

 

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

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  • CBC

  • Blood differential testing

  • Red blood cells

  • White blood cells

  • Chemistry profiles

  • Kidney values

  • Liver values

  • Pancreatic values

  • Electrolytes

  • Understanding urinalysis

  • ACTH Stim testing

  • Understanding fecal analysis

  • Thyroid testing

  • Understanding Titers

  • Understanding hair tissue mineral analysis​

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Course Resources:

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  • Course notes provided

Adverse Food Reactions & Skin and Coat Disorders - 316

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

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Course Description:
This course explores the diverse types of adverse food reactions, as well as skin and coat disorders. Part One explores ingredients that may cause reactions and ingredients that may help prevent reactions. Material also includes breed propensity, elimination diets, and risk factors for adverse food reactions. Part Two explores nutritional requirements for maintaining healthy skin and coat, risk factors for nutritionally related disorders, and the importance of fatty acids.

 

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

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  • Omega fatty acids

  • Nutrient requirements

  • Skin and coat health

  • Elimination diets

  • Food ingredients

  • Risk factors

  • Breed propensity

  • Different types of reactions

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Course Resources:

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Optional Graduate Workshop is open only to Graduates of the Canine Nutrition program. This Workshop includes an Excel spreadsheet for formulating diets along with instructional videos that explain how to use it as well as personal instruction. This workshop uses a Facebook page for answering questions and brainstorming. Upon completion, a Certificate will be awarded.

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