Animals are important members of our families and play a significant role in society. Animal care workers perform a variety of key functions in different settings to help ensure animals are cared for so they can enjoy a high quality of life. Through this program you will learn about animal behaviour, nutrition, wellness, handling, basic care procedures, legislation and ethics to give you the required knowledge and skills to be a valued member of an animal care team.
Understanding the science behind what motivates behaviour is necessary for safe interactions with animals. Effective client relations with pet owners are fundamental to providing quality care. Knowing the proper standards of care for common species offers an opportunity to assist with improving animal welfare. This one-year, two-semester program will give you the knowledge and skills to become a valued member of an animal facility. You will learn about:
- Animal behaviour, nutrition, wellness and welfare
- Handling and restraint of domestic animals
- Basic animal care procedures
- Animal legislation and ethics
- Client service skills
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Assist with managing animal behaviour by interpreting animal body language and applying restraint techniques when appropriate.
- Contribute to the implementation of a plan of care to enable and enhance health, wellness, and safety of animals.
- Assist with basic clinical procedures on animals.
- Respond to diverse needs of clients by providing customer service in animal care environments.
- Assist with daily administrative tasks, reception, and basic bookkeeping duties in animal care environments.
- Provide professional, humane and ethical care for the basic needs of animals within the scope of the regulation, laws, and statutes governing animals and the veterinary profession.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE:
- Animal care attendant
- Kennel attendant
- Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
- Farm worker
- Salesperson
- Veterinary assistant
WHERE YOU COULD WORK:
- Grooming facilities
- Humane societies
- Pet stores
- Animal control facilities
- Veterinary clinics and associated companies
- Wildlife rehabilitation centres
- Zoos
Field Placement
Your learning experience will be complemented by a field placement in an animal care environment, which will provide you with practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned in the classroom through the duration of the Animal Care program.
PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
You must (at your expense) provide:
- Current Level C CPR certificate from a recognized provider
- Current standard first aid certificate from a recognized provider
Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials
Qualified graduates may be eligible to apply their academic credits towards further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree
Technology Recommendations
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection
More Info:https:https://durhamcollege.ca/programs/animal-care#tabTech