Enroll now in the Working Dog Certificate Program

Harcum College and the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Vet Working Dog Center is enrolling now for the Working Dog Certificate program with classes starting Fall 2018. This 10-credit program provides a strong foundation of knowledge in canine health and care and a hands-on practicum at The Working Dog Center where students will learn and practice canine handling skills. Students who compete the certificate may enroll in additional specialized courses in canine handling.

Working dogs are dogs that have undergone extensive training to prepare them to work in one of four fields. Working dogs may work in security assisting law enforcement in the prevention of crime, work in law enforcement in detecting explosives or narcotics, work in rescue in locating victims, or work in medicine in detecting certain conditions. More information and registration information can be found at: harcum.edu/caninecare.

Established in 2007, the Penn Vet Working Dog Center is part of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine and serves as a national research and development center for detection dogs.

The Center was designed to increase collaborative research and the application of the newest scientific findings and veterinary expertise to optimize the performance of working dogs.

Program Details:

VET222 – Canine Care and Training (online)
4 credits

Description: The 4-credit online component provides the individuals with an understanding of basic canine anatomy and physiology, general health care and first aid, terminology used in both veterinary medicine and canine training, fundamentals of dog law, canine nutrition, the human-animal bond, and also deals with the issue of pet loss and grief.

Note: (Completion of the 4-credit online component does not guarantee acceptance to the 6-credit clinical experience offered at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. Students must apply directly to the Working Dog Center for acceptance into the practicum).

Tuition: $725/credit

VET223 - Canine Care and Training Practicum
6 credits

360 contact hours

Description: The Canine Care and Training Practicum provides the student with hands-on basic canine handling skills including training commands, basic elements of obedience, puppy development, marker training, operant conditioning training methods, basic components of canine fitness program, impact of training on the human animal bond, canine behavior, and body language.

Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Canine Care & Training, VET222 at Harcum College.

Tuition: $725/credit

For more information visit harcum.edu/caninecare or contact Alicia Preston at 610.526.6122 or apreston@harcum.edu.