Course dates

Next session starts September 30, 2024 

This is a completely online self-guided course.  Each week will cover a different subject matter.  You will have weekly assignments to complete to pass the course and earn a certificate.  Estimated time commitment is 8 hours per week.

 

Who will benefit from this program?

• Anyone currently affiliated with an animal shelter or rescue organization who wants to learn more about animal behavior as it relates to the shelter/foster environment. 

• Anyone who wants to improve the emotional wellbeing of the animals in shelter or rescue care.

• Anyone seeking a behavior specialist position with an animal shelter or rescue organization.

 

Learning objectives

• Gain knowledge on how to read dog and cat animal body language and signaling

• Learn techniques for safe, humane handling of the animals

• Understand how the shelter environment effects the emotional wellbeing of the animals and how to use stress reduction techniques to improve welfare

• Gain knowledge on how to keep the animals physically, mentally, and socially stimulated through shelter-wide enrichment programs

• Understand the value of effective canine and feline behavior assessments

• Obtain the knowledge and skills needed to implement training and behavior modification techniques to improve the behavior and emotional state of the shelter animals

• Obtain skills needed to ensure quality customer service for adoption counseling and follow-up as well as supporting foster caregivers with animals in their care.

 

Course structure

Online course – work at your own pace

• Weekly recorded lecture given by instructor Kelley Bollen 

• Weekly reading and viewing assignments 

• Weekly writing assignments

• Weekly discussion forums

• Live Q&A sessions with instructor Kelley Bollen 

 

Modules

• Reading cat and dog body language and safe humane handling

• Stress recognition and reduction for shelter cats and dogs

• Enrichment for shelter cats and dogs

• Understanding aggressive behavior in the domestic dog

• Feline and canine behavior assessments

• How animals learn and training cats and dogs in the shelter

• Behavior modification in the shelter

• Adoptions and Surrenders

 

Pre-requisites:

Must be currently affiliated with an animal shelter or rescue organization as a staff member or volunteer. No behavioral degrees or certifications required.

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Scholarship:  Scholarship period for this session is closed

A limited number of scholarships are offered each session. The scholarship covers the full price of tuition. Please email the instructor Kelley Bollen at the below email to inquire about a scholarship. 

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Instructor: Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC – kelley@kelleybollen.com (email with questions)

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Credits, course code, cost

• Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 

  • CAWA - 4.8 CEUs

  • CCPDT - 4 CEUs for Trainers & 12 CEUs for Behavior Consultants

  • IAABC - 16 CEUs

• Course Code: UNSM 050

• Certificate Price: $429

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Course Registrants: You will receive your University of the Pacific log-in information the Friday before the session starts.

 

 

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