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Canine Fitness
Certificate (Cert.CF)

Program Description

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The Certificate in Canine Fitness is designed to provide students with a strong foundation 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 engage in extensive reading and learning throughout this program of study. Most of the questions require short answers, calculations, and/or analysis. There are also a limited number of essay questions.

 

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

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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, most of which are 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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This program requires approximately 40 hours for assignment preparation (not including reading and study time).

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Graduates will receive a Canine Fitness certificate (Cert.CF).

Tuition

 

$800.00 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:

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  • Body and Energy Systems

  • Oxygen usage

  • Motor nerves

  • Movement vs. reflexes

  • Anatomy, feet, legs, spine, ligaments, growth plates

  • Muscles, location, function, fast twitch, slow twitch

  • Anaerobic and aerobic metabolic processes

  • Structure

  • Head and body types

  • Sprint vs. strength

  • Angulation

  • Gait analysis

  • Terminology, reach, drive, balance, etc.

  • Sports psychology, canine and human

  • Burn out, attitude, stress

  • Sports, Rally-O, obedience, agility, flyball, lure-coursing

  • Conditioning programs

  • Exercise, warm-ups, cool-downs, indoor and outdoor exercises

  • Fitness

  • Special Populations, brachycephalic, obesity, performance, geriatrics

  • Pre-existing conditions and injuries

  • Sprains, strains, fractures

  • First aid, heat distress, splints, bleeding, tourniquets

Program Package

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  • Coursework document including assignments and handouts

  • Student Handbook

Courses (Scroll Down for Course Details)

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  • Anatomy and Physiology - 404

  • Gait and Structure - 405

  • Sports, Conditioning and Fitness Training - 408

  • First Aid, Sports Injuries and Therapies - 412

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.

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

 

Anatomy and Physiology - 404

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

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Course Description:

This course will examine the dog’s body and how it functions in relation to exercise. This information is invaluable in the field of fitness study and will prepare the student for follow-up modules. The module explores the skeleton and how and why it is put together the way it is. It also looks at body systems, muscles, ligaments, and other pertinent topics to this area of study. This course is evaluated by way of written assignments. 

 

Course Texts:

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  • Course notes provided

Gait and Structure - 405

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

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Course Description:

This course explores body and head type, front and rear assemblies, and how body structure influences performance. It also examines the terminology used for describing gait and locomotion. This course will provide an understanding of how and why the canine body moves the way that it does. Students should emerge from this course with able to analyze and discuss these topic areas. This module is evaluated by way of written assignments.

 

Course Texts:

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  • Course notes provided

Sports, Conditioning and Fitness Training - 408

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

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Course Description:

This course provides a look at performance sports and the ways in which a dog should be conditioned to participate safely and happily in those sports. Some of these sports include flyball, Rally-O and agility. There is also an in-depth look at jumping. Being able to jump obstacles is important for many of the performance events and it is helpful to have a thorough understanding of this topic.

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It also takes a look at determining a dog's fitness level and the different types of activities that you can participate in with your dog. It also discusses the psychological benefits of exercise, the importance of warm-ups and cool-downs, and how exercise can influence behavior. Students should emerge from this course with able to analyze and discuss these topic areas. This course is evaluated by way of written assignments.

 

Course Texts:

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  • Course notes provided

First Aid, Performance and Sports Injuries - 412

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

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Course Description:

This course examines areas that include how physical conditions can impede performance, some of the causes of lameness, fractures, soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains. The first aid section is in no way meant to pass as qualifying someone to perform veterinary skills, but may stabilize a dog until veterinary services can be reached. 

 

Course Texts:

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  • Course notes provided

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