Canine Assisted Services

Canine Assisted Services Program Description

The Canine Assisted Services 2 year program at Hocking College prepares students for professional careers working with dogs through a strong blend of science, hands-on training, and ethical practices. Students study canine anatomy and physiology, nutrition, genetics, health, disease prevention, and behavior to understand how dogs function physically and mentally. Emphasis is placed on humane, fear-free handling, canine communication, and learning theory, ensuring students develop a solid foundation in evidence-based practices.

The curriculum has been designed with a common core of coursework providing interdisciplinary educational elements critical for student success to gain hands-on experience in grooming, training, boarding, daycare operations, assistance and service dog work, scent detection, and behavior modification. It prepares students for industry-recognized credentials such as CPDT-KA, NDGAA grooming certifications, as well as canine first aid, while also building professional skills in customer service, ethics, and business operations. Graduates are well prepared for careers in dog training, grooming, animal-assisted services, shelters, boarding facilities, and related canine professions.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are statements of what a student will be able to do when they have completed a program. They represent the knowledge and skills a program has determined are most important for students to gain from that program and include both the Success Skills (institutional outcomes) and Program Outcomes. SLOs are specific and measurable so the program can accurately assess the degree to which students have achieved each outcome, and they align with college and institution mission and values. Data on the achievement of SLOs is used to make improvements in the program and increase student success.

Hocking College Institutional Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate sound critical thinking, information literacy and technological competency in the production of academic writing and presentations.
Apply the methods of mathematical, statistical or analytical reasoning to critically evaluate data, solve problems and effectively communicate findings.
Demonstrate an awareness of the social, political and economic trends past and present which shape individuals, institutions and communities in the modern world.
Demonstrate a foundation of knowledge in the natural sciences based on theory and laboratory skills.
Cultivate ethical values, personal wellness and personal learning strategies in the development of the whole person, mind, body and spirit.
Integrate content material to application in the workforce and apply discipline-specific knowledge and skills to successfully transfer or effectively meet the expectations of internships, workplace, volunteerism and/or entrepreneurship endeavors.
Effectively utilize the Ethical and Professional application of current information and technologies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create solutions, and adapt to evolving professional environments.

Program Outcomes

Students will be able to associate anatomy & physiological mechanisms on how organs and tissues within each body system function and work together and their importance in pet professions as it pertains to health, nutrition, common disease, viruses and illness, with knowledge of the AAHA vaccine and preventive health care standards.
Students will be able to recall, integrate and apply essential core information and technical skills used in reward-based, force free training methods with knowledge in canine communication, applied learning theories, instructional teaching skills, and ethology, to enable all graduates to pass the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers CPDT-KA exam.
Students will be able to identify and apply the appropriate theories, practices, and reward-based training methods used in safe, fear-free handling in obedience, grooming, boarding, assistance work, sports, scent work, and service work and the types of humane professional equipment used.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of nutrition, standards in preservation breeding and genetic testing to promote good health, longevity, performance and mental well-being of canines across the American Kennel Club's seven major breed groups, with a focus on ethics and professionalism in pet-related fields.
Students will demonstrate and identify the duties, skills, knowledge and ethics in grooming, training, behavior and boarding pet professions through hands-on experience and will develop an understanding of state and local laws and ordinances that pertain to the control and regulation of canines.
Students will demonstrate the knowledge of zoonotics, as well as concepts and laws in ESA, Assistance and Service animals and how to integrate them safely and ethically into a variety of settings with the knowledge of how human–animal bonds support emotional and overall health.

Canine Assisted Services