associate of science Assistance dog educaTIon program

The mission of the Associate of Science degree in Assistance Dog Education is to provide its graduates with the skills and knowledge to partner people with disabilities with a canine helpmate, increasing the capabilities of both. The degree program focuses on the psychology of learning, motor skill development, genetics and environmental factors, canine developmental stages, dog health care and the socio-biological concepts of partnership between dogs and individuals whose limited physical strength or sensory abilities make functioning on their own difficult. Graduates have opportunities for entry-level employment in: community and private programs serving individuals with disabilities; in various positions in assistance dog programs: guide, hearing, service, social/therapy dog trainer, client placement manager, puppy breeding coordinator, puppy foster home manager, fundraising, marketing or public relations, assuming a program assistant directorship or starting their own program.

Degree Requirements

Sixty (60) credits of coursework as stipulated below:

(a) 36 credits of lecture, lab, apprenticeship hours in stipulated Assistance Dog Education degree program coursework (see below) with a grade point average of 2.00 (“C”) or better; (b) 18 credits of general education and elective course work. [See General Ed requirements.] and 6 credits of elective course work.

Program Objectives

1. To encourage in students an interest to explore, pursue and expand the dog’s role in professional and pre-professional human health care and human service fields;
2. To develop a depth of knowledge in the ways dogs have served and currently serve humanity;
3. To utilize research from the scientific community to further assistance dog studies and assistance dog program development;
4. To prepare students to be marketing-savvy professionals that can develop effective print materials, movies and websites to promote the goods and services of their own or of their employer’s Assistance Dog Programs;
5. To prepare students to learn to communicate effectively, to become proficient in relaying succinct and powerful messages to promote their Assistance Dog agency in a positive manner, to also learn how to effectively follow up with their contacts to ensure a favorable outcome for their Assistance Dog Program.

The essence of this coursework is to ensure that assistance dogs are an asset and an unobtrusive helpmate.

Please note: Students are assigned dogs that they learn to train and are required to take a dog home at night and on weekends.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students completing this AS degree will demonstrate:

• A depth of knowledge in canine developmental stages, psychology, sociology, physiology, health care and learning methodologies appropriate to an initial study of the canine;
• A willingness to question, to explore, to expand current thinking;
• An ability to utilize research from the scientific community related to the dog;
• A depth of knowledge of the ways dogs have served and currently serve humanity;
• An awareness of the specific disabilities and varying needs that are and can be served by dogs;
• An ability to breed, train and place assistance dogs with clients with disabilities and to train clients with disabilities in appropriate dog handling skills;
• An ability to explore, pursue and expand the dog’s role in professional and pre-professional human health care and human service fields.

GENERAL EDUCATION (G.E.)

The University is committed to the belief that general education is a purposeful part of a student’s education. It provides a broad awareness of issues and concepts, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and promoting appreciation for art, mathematics, science, history and communication abilities. Students seeking an Associate of Science degree at the Bergin University of Canine Studies are required to complete 24 semester credits with a grade point average of 2.00 (“C”) or better at a U.S. Department of Education accredited institution.

Students are required to provide an academic transcript of record confirming applicable General Education has been completed at a school with U.S. Department of Education recognition for accreditation. The student must be able to demonstrate that eighteen (18) credits to be transferred are for courses that meet the G.E. requirements in each of the specific areas noted below. Six (6) are required in college-level elective credits.

General Education Requirements

1. Communication Arts (basic writing and speaking skills like rhetoric, composition and speech) -- 3 semester credits;
2. Mathematics (basic statistics or mathematical analysis like algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus and other advanced mathematics courses) -- 3 semester credits;
3. Arts and Humanities (appreciation of cultural and artistic achievement like literature, philosophy, logic, foreign language, art and music appreciation) -- 3 semester credits;
4. Social and Behavioral Sciences (basic understanding of sociology and human psychology like history, economics, political science, geography, sociology, anthropology and general psychology) -- 6 semester credits;
5. Science (physical or biological sciences like biology, chemistry, physics, geology and astronomy) -- 3 semester credits.

Transferring G.E. Credits to the University

In its quest to advance the most effective, efficient educational opportunities for its students, and since credits earned in Bergin University courses will probably not be transferable to any other college or university, the University provides for the fulfillment of its required general education coursework to be earned at a college or postsecondary institution more accessible and advantageous to the student.

The 18 G.E. credits must be earned at and transferred to the University from an accredited college or postsecondary institution. Official transcripts must be provided by the approved college or institution.

The 6 elective credits may be acquired in one of three ways: through prior university coursework, earned at and transferred from an approved college or institution, or awarded as prior learning credits.

Associate of Science in Assistance Dog Education Program Curriculum

The following courses are required for the Associate of Science in Assistance Dog Education degree program. See Course Descriptions in University Catalog for more information.

LIF 110 - Intro to Human-Dog Psychology, 2 credits

LIF 120 - Introduction to Child/Pup Development, 1 credit

LIF 130A&B - Building Team Dynamics, 1 credit

LIF 150A&B - Canine Health, 3 credits

LIF 160 - The Human-Canine Body Mechanism, 1 credit

LIF 165 - Human-Canine Aging & Grieving, 1.5 credits

LIF 170A&B - Breeding, Birthing and Whelping, 1 credit

LIF 200 - History of Emerging Human-Dog Culture, 1.5 credits

LIF 250 - The Business of Dogs, 1.5 credits

LIF 270 - Public Relations with a Dog, 1 credit

LIF 275 - Marketing the Dog, 1 credit

LIF 280 - Sales and Fundraising, 1 credit

LIF 290A&B - Motor Skill Learning II, 5 credits [1 lecture, 4 lab]

LIF 292A&B - Environmental Mgmt. II, 1.5 credits [.5 lecture, 1 lab]

ADE 210A&B - Service Dogs, 4 credits [1 lecture, 3 lab]

ADE 211 - Hearing Dogs, 1.5 credits [1 lecture, .5 lab]

ADE 212 - Social/Therapy Dogs, 1.5 credits [1 lecture, .5 lab]

ADE 213 - Guide Dogs, 1.5 credits [1 lecture, .5 lab]

ADE 240A&B - Disability Studies, 3 credits

ADE 245 - The Disability Experience, 1.5 credits