A powerful, thought-provoking course

When it comes to animals, and the role that animals play in our lives, there are various beliefs and opinions. On the one hand, you may be of the view that it is perfectly acceptable to use animals, whether it be raising them for food, to have as pets, to use for entertainment purposes, etc. On the other hand, you may believe that animals should be treated as equals, and that there is no need for them to be used or exploited by humans in any way. Many people will have views that sit somewhere in between.

Regardless of your personal beliefs on what constitutes the appropriate use of animals, there are various aspects in the utilisation of animals where animal welfare should be identified, addressed and, often, improved.

This truly is a powerful, and thought-provoking course; guaranteed to leave you contemplating how you can contribute towards improving the welfare of animals used in human practices.

Course Structure and Content

Course Duration: 100 hours.
Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.

This course is made up of nine lessons:

1. Scope and Nature of Animal Welfare
History
Definitions
Ethics
Physical functioning
Mental and cognitive functioning
Naturalness
Scope of animal welfare
Moral status
Indirect theories
Direct Unequal theories
Moral equity theories
Ethical theory
Kantian theory
Virtue theory
Humean theory
Utilitarian theory
Rights theory
Capability theory
Animal rights
Arguments against animal rights
Animal Welfare today
Animal slavery
Conservation and wildlife research
Entertainment
Animal testing and research
Other significant global issues

2. Psychology and Sentience
Sentience
Sapience
Anthropomorphism and transference
Compassionate conservation
Sense and perception
Cognition - attention, memory, spatial cognition, reasoning and insight
Animal emotion - in primates, felines
Animal psychopathology - depression, stress, eating disorders
Activity anorexia
Over eating, Under eating, weight loss, pica, coprophagia, thin sow syndrome
Behavioural disorders
Compulsive behaviour
Lick granuloma
Stereotypies (Zoochosis)
Sentience influence on behaviour

3. Managing Animal Welfare
Duty of care
Assessing animal welfare
Preventing disease and injury
Health checks and observations
Importance of nutrition
Providing water
Exercise and Stimulation
Appropriate safe environment
Controlling pest and disease
Veterinary Prevention

4. Animal Protection Services
Protection organisations
Types of protection activities
Companion animals
Protection of farm animals
Wildlife
Understanding Health Issues
Pathogens - Viral, bacterial, fungal protozoa
Parasites - ectoparasites, endoparasites
Fleas, lice, ticks, mites, nematodes
Genetic disorders
Pet breeding
Metabolic and nutritional disease
Inspecting animal health condition
Temperature, pulse, respiration
Signs of ill health
Differential diagnosis

5. Animal Rescue Services
Introduction
Shelters
Health and welfare
Basic needs of animals
Animal first aid - aims, types of wounds (cuts, punctures, tears), treatments
Infection
Blood loss
Fly control
Bone and joint problems - sprains, broken bones, bone infections, Nutritional Bone diseases
Luxations
Tendon injury, Contusions, torn ligaments
Poisoning - chemicals, grazing, other
Restraining animals during first aid
First aid for wildlife

6. Animal Health Services
Animal health services
Routine health treatments
Vaccination debate
Quarantine
Euthenasia
De-sexing
Complimentary health services - homeopathy, naturopathy, tactile therapies, natural nutrition, acupuncture, etc
Employment

7. Animal Welfare for Pets, Work Animals and Animals in Sport
Welfare of companion animals
Work animal welfare
Welfare of animals in sport

8. Animal Welfare for Farm Animals
Farm animal welfare
Intensive farming
Pigs
Cattle
Poultry
Organic farming
Welfare during transport
Animal slaughter
Animal welfare labelling
Welfare issues with animals bred for alternative products - down, wool, foie gras, etc

9. Animal Welfare for Wildlife: Free and Captive
Zoos and wildlife parks
Circus animals
Pet trade
Free wild animals
Habitat destruction
Protecting from hunting and trapping
The land and marine environments
Legislation
Codes of practice
Animal behaviour
Environmental law enforcement
Case studies

Aims

• Describe what is meant by animal welfare and how it can be implemented in society.
• Explain how animals might perceive the world, their sense of awareness and cognition, and how welfare can influence their mental health.
• Describe how animal welfare is assessed and upheld.
• Describe what animal protection services are available and what their roles are.
• Describe animal rescue services and how they contribute to animal welfare.
• Describe what animal health services are available and their benefits to animal wellbeing.
• Explain how animal welfare is implemented in the protection of pets & companion animals, work animals and animals in sport.
• Explain how animal welfare is implemented in the protection of farm animals.
• Explain how animal welfare is implemented in the protection of wild animals in their natural environments and in captivity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Practical is this Course?

This is an "experiential" learning course where you learn through a diversity of learning experiences - not simply sitting behind a computer or reading printed materials. Your study guide will instruct you to undertake all sorts of tasks, both on and off computer and away from home. You will do things, observe things, discuss things and interact with your expert tutors in every lesson. We also encourage students to engage with the real world of animal welfare. There are lots of opportunities to do that, and our expert animal and veterinary scientists stand ready to advise you how to do that if asked.

What Does this Course Cost?

The cost per study hour is commonly much lower for a similar or better service from similarly qualified academics as you are likely to find at universities and other colleges. The course fee covers all necessar4y text materials and full tutor support for as long as you are studying. We have no set end date. There is no restart fee if you don't finish it in one term or one year (as applies sometimes elsewhere). There are no required text books that you need to buy. A small optional exam fee only applies if you choose to take a sit down exam.  

What are the Career Prospects after this Course?

• Wildlife rescue
  
• Wildlife rehabilitation
  
• Community services and educational programmes
  
• Animal shelters
  
• Administrative, marketing, fundraising staff for animal welfare groups
  
• Journalism and media
  
• Wildlife research and science
  
• Wildlife emergency services operators and more. 
  

Why Study with ACS?

Design your own learning pathway.

Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time. 

Receive prompt, expert support from our team of committed and friendly tutors.

Your learning is our priority. We are flexible and adaptable to meet your educational needs!

This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.

Enrolling is easy - just go to the top of this page and select your study method and payment option.

If you have any questions about studying with ACS, or want to know more about any of our courses, get in touch with our specialist tutors today.

They will be happy to answer your questions and look at different study options to fit in with your goals.