COURSE CURRICULUM

The Service Dog & Canine Studies Management Diploma program spans two years and offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in service dog training and canine care. In the first semester, students study courses such as Canine Physiology & Care, Puppy Development, Early Foundations & Training, Introduction to Canine Learning Theory & the Human/Dog Connection, Communication in the Workplace, and Management Theory. The second semester builds on these foundations with classes in Obedience Training for Public Access, Dog Selection, Assessment & Breeding, Assistance Dog Laws, Advanced Business Communications, and Marketing. In the third semester, students advance their understanding with courses like Introduction to Accounting, Kennel Technologies, Canine Career Pathways, Service Dogs Roles & Task Training, and Organizational Behaviour, further blending canine-specific skills with business knowledge. The second year begins with the fourth semester, focusing on Client Processing & Dog Matching, Disability Awareness for Service Dog Providers, Common Behaviour Problems, Creating Training Plans & Peer Training, alongside courses in Entrepreneurial Experience and the Science of Persuasion, preparing students for leadership and business roles within the field. The program culminates in a fifth-semester work term, giving students practical, hands-on experience managing service dogs and applying their training in real-world settings. Throughout the program, students develop a well-rounded skill set that combines animal care, training techniques, client interaction, business acumen, and legal knowledge, preparing graduates to succeed in various canine care professions, particularly in the growing service dog industry.