CERTIFICATE IN COMPANION ANIMAL STUDIES

 DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE COMPANION ANIMALS

 Work in the Pet Industry

·      Learn more about the behaviour and physiology of companion animals.

" Mr Douglas is a fantastic tutor, I have learnt so much from him. He gave comments that aided in understanding and was always positive and encouraging....makes me feel not so distant. His tutoring made me strive harder."
- Lisa

Modules

Note that each module in the Certificate in Companion Animal Studies is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

What is covered by each of the Core Modules?

Pet Care

This has eight lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Animal Care
2. Cats
3. Dogs
4. Birds
5. Fish
6. Rabbits
7. Reptiles & Amphibians
8. Guinea Pigs, Hamsters & Mice.

Animal Behaviour

This has eight lessons as follows:

1. Introduction: Influences and motivation.
2. Genetics and Behaviour.
3. Animal Perception and Behaviour.
4. Behaviour and the Environment.
5. Social Behaviour.
6. Instinct and Learning.
7. Handling Animals
8. Behavioural Problems.

Animal Health Care

There are twelve lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Animal Health Care
2. Common Health Problems in farm animals and pets
3. Animal Behaviour
4. Signs of Ill Health
5. Veterinary Facilities
6. Safety Procedures
7. Administration of Animal Health
8. Animal First Aid
9. Preventative Health Care
10. Routine Health Treatments
11. Health Problems in Domestic Pets
12. Rehabilitation Care

Starting A Small Business

This covers all of the basics of running a business, and provides valuable and necessary skills for anyone involved in a Pet or companion animal business. It involves twelve lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Small Business Types of business and communication, types of language, office equipment.
2. The Business World Consultancy services, law and business, the landscape industry, business letters, communication systems.
3. Your alternatives - different types of ventures Buying and starting a business.
4. Marketing What is involved in marketing, advertising, selling, communication.
5. Planning Organising and planning to ensure the success of the business.
6. Basic Bookkeeping Financial statements, balance sheet, profit and loss statement,insurance.
7. Sales Methods Selling, sales method, telephone canvassing.
8. Budgeting Assets and liabilities.
9. Developing a 12 month business plan Protection, planning and production.
10. Implementing a business plan Communication with employees, planning the development of the business.
11. Reviewing progress in a new business Research, evaluate and decide on business plan updates.
12. Improving profitability Increase profit and reduce expenditure

HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER PETS?

Introduction to Pet Care

No matter what type of pets you are looking after there are some general needs that must be fulfilled. These include:

Food
All animals will require sufficient food, of the right type/s, and at the right intervals. This will obviously vary considerably from animal to animal, for example dogs usually have diets with a high meat component, some birds will have diets high in seeds, some birds may require such things as insects or meal worms, rabbits and guinea pigs may be fed on grasses and vegetable scraps, while reptiles may be fed with live food (e.g. mice, frogs).

Understanding what types of food your animals require is very important, it is also important that you understand differing food requirements at different stages of their life (e.g. young versus mature animals, when pregnant or feeding young). To ensure the best health of your animals, only use good quality food that has been properly stored (e.g. not perished, or mouldy, or infested with pests). Discuss with your vet to ensure your animals are receiving adequate nutrition from their diet, and to determine ways in which you might need to modify it to improve their all round nutrient intake.

Although it can seem nice to treat pets to human foods and sweets, or to leave food constantly available to your pet, it can be very detrimental to their health. Certain foods that are fit for human consumption can in fact be toxic to pets. Allowing your pet to eat constantly, or providing them with a poorly balanced diet can lead to obesity. This is an increasing problem and has serious complications for animals, they are unable to move as freely and become sedentary, and they can develop joint problems such as arthritis, as well as injuries related to the stress on their spines from the additional weight. Heart disease is also more likely along with complications such as obesity related diabetes.

Watering
Nearly all animals will require regular watering, some having high water requirements. Water should be of high quality, and plenty provided. The types of water containers provided should be suitable to the types of animals you are watering, for example deep, steep-sided containers may pose a drowning risk to small animals, including birds, while containers or troughs used by multiple numbers of a particular pet should provide sufficient room (access) so that there is not any great degree of competition between the animals for the water - this is particularly important on days of high water need (i.e. very hot days), or with more aggressive animals.

Water containers/sources should also be placed in suitable position where they are stable (not easily dislodged or knocked over), where they will not be contaminated by debris or animal droppings falling into them, and easily accessed by both your pets to drink, and you to fill them. For some animals the containers may need to be placed in a position that provides some degree of shelter and/or protection from other animals. Placing water in a position sheltered from the sun will also reduce evaporation rates. Ideally at least two, and depending on the space available and animals you are watering, possibly more separate containers should be available, in case one becomes fouled, or is knocked over. Animals can quickly suffer or die if sufficient water is not available on a hot day. Containers should be regularly inspected for damage, and regularly and thoroughly cleaned to minimise pest and diseases problems. Any automatic watering systems should be regularly maintained, and regularly checked to ensure they are operating properly.

Shelter/Containment/Protection
Caging and fencing can serve a number of functions. This includes:

• Containment - ensuring you pet/s don't escape.
• Shelter - providing protection against the elements.
• Protection - both against other animals (predators), and to protect other animals and
people from your animal/s (e.g. snakes, aggressive dogs).

Any caging or fenced area should have the following features:

• Size - sufficient to cater for the animal’s needs
• Strength – sufficient to contain the animal, to keep other animals out and to withstand the local weather conditions
• Safe - no sharp edges, or protruding parts, ensure materials aren’t toxic to the animal (treated timbers, rusted metals, asbestos sheeting etc).
• Position – providing shelter for the animal and being securely fixed into place
• Access - for cleaning, providing food and water. Access should be secured to prevent escape.

It is crucial that any containment area is regularly checked over and maintained properly.

Maintaining Health
Good hygiene is critical. This includes such things as maintaining food and water quality, cleaning out wastes regularly, and controlling pests and diseases. Regular preventative measures for controlling pests and diseases are vital. Examples include spraying cages/shelters, regular worming treatments, vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, regular inspections for signs of problems in the animals yard as well as on the animal itself, regular grooming and dental care, and quarantining animals that are suspected or known to have pest or disease problems can significantly reduce the likelihood of problems occurring, and minimise their spread when they do occur. Regular veterinary check ups are important, to detect any conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed.

It is important that animals receive adequate opportunity for exercise to avoid them becoming overweight and unhealthy. Many smaller pets thrive on human contact and it is necessary to spend time interacting with them, playing, wrestling or during grooming.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR KEEPING PETS
No matter what type of pets you are looking after there are some general needs that must be fulfilled. These include:

Food
All animals will require sufficient food, of the right type/s, and at the right intervals. This will obviously vary considerably from animal to animal, for example dogs usually have diets with a high meat component, some birds will have diets high in seeds, some birds may require such things as insects or meal worms, rabbits and guinea pigs may be fed on grasses and vegetable scraps, while reptiles may be fed with live food (e.g. mice, frogs).

Understanding what types of food your animals require is very important, it is also important that you understand differing food requirements at different stages of their life (e.g. young versus mature animals, when pregnant or feeding young). To ensure the best health of your animals, only use good quality food that has been properly stored (e.g. not perished, or mouldy, or infested with pests). Discuss with your vet to ensure your animals are receiving adequate nutrition from their diet, and to determine ways in which you might need to modify it to improve their all round nutrient intake.

Although it can seem nice to treat pets to human foods and sweets, or to leave food constantly available to your pet, it can be very detrimental to their health. Certain foods that are fit for human consumption can in fact be toxic to pets. Allowing your pet to eat constantly, or providing them with a poorly balanced diet can lead to obesity. This is an increasing problem and has serious complications for animals, they are unable to move as freely and become sedentary, and they can develop joint problems such as arthritis, as well as injuries related to the stress on their spines from the additional weight. Heart disease is also more likely along with complications such as obesity related diabetes.

Watering
Nearly all animals will require regular watering, some having high water requirements. Water should be of high quality, and plenty provided. The types of water containers provided should be suitable to the types of animals you are watering, for example deep, steep-sided containers may pose a drowning risk to small animals, including birds, while containers or troughs used by multiple numbers of a particular pet should provide sufficient room (access) so that there is not any great degree of competition between the animals for the water - this is particularly important on days of high water need (i.e. very hot days), or with more aggressive animals.

Water containers/sources should also be placed in suitable position where they are stable (not easily dislodged or knocked over), where they will not be contaminated by debris or animal droppings falling into them, and easily accessed by both your pets to drink, and you to fill them. For some animals the containers may need to be placed in a position that provides some degree of shelter and/or protection from other animals. Placing water in a position sheltered from the sun will also reduce evaporation rates. Ideally at least two, and depending on the space available and animals you are watering, possibly more separate containers should be available, in case one becomes fouled, or is knocked over. Animals can quickly suffer or die if sufficient water is not available on a hot day. Containers should be regularly inspected for damage, and regularly and thoroughly cleaned to minimise pest and diseases problems. Any automatic watering systems should be regularly maintained, and regularly checked to ensure they are operating properly.

Shelter/Containment/Protection
Caging and fencing can serve a number of functions. This includes:

• Containment - ensuring you pet/s don't escape.
• Shelter - providing protection against the elements.
• Protection - both against other animals (predators), and to protect other animals and
people from your animal/s (e.g. snakes, aggressive dogs).

Any caging or fenced area should have the following features:

• Size - sufficient to cater for the animal’s needs
• Strength – sufficient to contain the animal, to keep other animals out and to withstand the local weather conditions
• Safe - no sharp edges, or protruding parts, ensure materials aren’t toxic to the animal (treated timbers, rusted metals, asbestos sheeting etc).
• Position – providing shelter for the animal and being securely fixed into place
• Access - for cleaning, providing food and water. Access should be secured to prevent escape.

It is crucial that any containment area is regularly checked over and maintained properly.

Maintaining Health
Good hygiene is critical. This includes such things as maintaining food and water quality, cleaning out wastes regularly, and controlling pests and diseases. Regular preventative measures for controlling pests and diseases are vital. Examples include spraying cages/shelters, regular worming treatments, vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, regular inspections for signs of problems in the animals yard as well as on the animal itself, regular grooming and dental care, and quarantining animals that are suspected or known to have pest or disease problems can significantly reduce the likelihood of problems occurring, and minimise their spread when they do occur. Regular veterinary check ups are important, to detect any conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed.

It is important that animals receive adequate opportunity for exercise to avoid them becoming overweight and unhealthy. Many smaller pets thrive on human contact and it is necessary to spend time interacting with them, playing, wrestling or during grooming.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

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Sample Course Notes

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 COMPANION ANIMALS CORRESPONDENCE COURSE

 Work in the Pet Industry

Learn the animal husbandry, business and management skills, needed to start a career working with pets or providing support services within the pet industry.

This course provides a valuable foundation in handling and caring for all types of domestic animals; and offers options to specialize and direct your studies into one of a number of different areas depending upon your individual needs and ambitions.