From basics to career builders, Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy has you covered. Offering three certificate programs, this learning experience is designed to create a foundation of knowledge that will prepare you for life with an animal partner, or for a career in an animal industry. Formulated and taught by industry experts, take one class to learn something new, or take them all and find what you love.
The Animal Care Academy will offer three certificate programs. Each certificate can be earned by completing all of the classes in that certificate category. By the end of a certificate program, you will have a well-defined, professional knowledge base in whichever category you've chosen to focus on. A great resume builder for anyone who wants a career in the zoological or equine industry, or a great supplement for kids, life-long learners, and anyone who just wants to know more. Fantastic extra-curricular for high school students.
Ages 16+. All minor students must have a signed liability release from parents or guardians to attend.
Current IOCR boarders get 20% off all Academy courses!
Please see "More Information" section below for course pricing and current schedule calendars.
Equine education certificate Program
This course program is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about horses, from students looking for a career in the equine industry, to seasoned horse owners who want to learn more about a specific area of training or care. It's also ideal for new horse owners who may need to learn some advanced basics. Take one class in a subject of interest, or take them all. Classes are offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. Depending on demand, sessions may be added more frequently to allow for timely certificate completion.
Classes that must be completed for the Equine Education Certificate (click on each course title for a description):
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional trainers, veterinarians, farriers, and dedicated horse people. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
Classes that must be completed for the Equine Education Certificate (click on each course title for a description):
- Positive Reinforcement Desense **
- Trick Training I **
- Trick Training II **
- Trick Training III **
- Liberty Work
- Equine First Aid ***
- Natural History of the Horse and Modern Husbandry ***
- Lameness, Layups, and Leg Care ***
- Equine Nutrition and Fitness ***
- Everyday Show Grooming I
- Everyday Show Grooming II
- Teaching a Willing Blood Draw/ Vaccine **, ***
- Emergency and Evacuation Preparation
- Trailer Loading and Safe Hauling
- Tack Fitting Basics
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional trainers, veterinarians, farriers, and dedicated horse people. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
Animal Behavior certificate program
This certificate program is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about or begin a career in animal behavior, and will leave students with a foundation of knowledge about animal training. Learn the basics of operant conditioning and how to apply positive reinforcement to get effective results, while also being able to read the messages the animals in your care are sending you. Due to the necessity of building on previous lessons, in order to complete this certificate, courses 1-6 must be taken in order. Depending on demand, sessions may be added more frequently to allow for timely certificate completion. Public Speaking and Focus classes can be taken at any time.
To complete the Animal Behavior certificate, students must pass courses 1-9, as well as two Focus classes.
Classes that qualify for the Animal Behavior Certificate:
(click on each course title for a description)
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional animal trainers and zookeepers. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
To complete the Animal Behavior certificate, students must pass courses 1-9, as well as two Focus classes.
Classes that qualify for the Animal Behavior Certificate:
(click on each course title for a description)
- 1: The Language of Training
- 2: Principles of Operant Conditioning *
- 3: Teaching a Bridge and Target
- 4: Teaching a Recall
- 5: Teaching a Send
- 6: Dealing with Aggression and Unwanted Behavior
- 7: Public Speaking Basics ***
- 8: Public Speaking for Informal Education Audiences ***
- 9: Public Speaking for Formal Education Audiences ***
- Focus: Parrot Behavior and Enrichment ***
- Focus: Equine Behavior and Enrichment *, ***
- Focus: Reptile Behavior and Enrichment ***
- Focus: Guinea Fowl Behavior and Enrichment ***
- Focus: Canine Behavior and Enrichment ***
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional animal trainers and zookeepers. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
Animal care certificate program
This certificate program is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about or begin a career in animal care, and will leave students with a foundation of knowledge about husbandry at a zoological standard. The perfect resume credit for anyone who wants to become a professional zookeeper, or a student exploring career possibilities, these courses will prepare you for the realities (both good and bad) of what life is like taking care of animals for a living. Classes are offered on a rotating basis, and more sessions may be added if demand is present to allow for timely certificate completion.
Classes that must be completed for the Animal Care Certificate:
(May be taken in any order; click on each course title for a description)
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional animal trainers and zookeepers. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
Classes that must be completed for the Animal Care Certificate:
(May be taken in any order; click on each course title for a description)
- Basics of Animal Husbandry: Birds
- Basics of Animal Husbandry: Horses
- Basics of Animal Husbandry: Reptiles
- Nutrition and Diet Preparation Overview
- Enrichment: Thinking Inside the Box
- Enclosure Design
- Biosecurity
- Safety and Risk Reduction
- The Scoop on Poop*
- Medical Basics: Wound Care and Medicine Administration
- Standards of Care
- Public Speaking Basics **
- Public Speaking for Informal Education Audiences **
- Public Speaking for Formal Education Audiences **
All courses taught by industry experts, including professional animal trainers and zookeepers. Some cross-over may occur between the different certificate programs; any credits that double apply will be considered double earned.
More information
All students working toward achieving a certificate will be given exams at the end of each class. Exams must be passed with an 80% or higher rate of correct responses in order to be considered a pass and count as a credit toward the certificate program. No exam is required for those taking the class for information only.
Successful completion of three or more additional courses, beyond the core courses, that cross-apply to a specific certificate program will result in a certificate being achieved "with Honors". Completion of all three certificates will result in a bundled "Animal Care Academy Certificate with Distinction". All certificate honorees will have their names professionally calligraphed on the certificate.
Courses that cross-apply to certificate programs are marked as follows.
Course Pricing Breakdown-- please see the PDF below.
Successful completion of three or more additional courses, beyond the core courses, that cross-apply to a specific certificate program will result in a certificate being achieved "with Honors". Completion of all three certificates will result in a bundled "Animal Care Academy Certificate with Distinction". All certificate honorees will have their names professionally calligraphed on the certificate.
Courses that cross-apply to certificate programs are marked as follows.
- " * " -- This course also applies towards the Equine Education Certificate
- " ** " -- This course also applies towards the Animal Behavior Certificate
- " *** " -- This course also applies towards the Animal Care Certificate
Course Pricing Breakdown-- please see the PDF below.
| iocr_animal_care_academy_course_pricing_information--_fall_2018.pdf |
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Course Schedule -- Fall Session 2019
Attend our Open House, Friday August 23rd at 6:00 PM to learn more and sign up for classes. | ||
Usual disclaimers: Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy is not accredited and is not a college or university. These courses are designed to prepare anyone interested in pursuing a career in the animal care industry for the realities of the work that may not be taught in conventional degree programs. Some courses are hands-on, some are live demonstration, some are classroom and theory only. Iron Oak Canyon Ranch does not guarantee results from the completion of any certificate program. The certificates and courses are designed by a career zookeeper and animal trainer who often wished to have access to such opportunities without the expense or need to pursue a degree program. In that spirit, we offer these courses.