Course Descriptions

Courses are listed numerically, preceded by an academic discipline prefix. Each course number is followed by the course title, a course description, the number of semester credits that the course satisfies and a notice of any prerequisites required. Under graduate courses numbered 100-299 are lower division (Associate of Science, freshman, sophomore).

• ADE 220 - Disability Studies & Experience

  The course provides an understanding of varying types, causes, and resulting limitations of the more prevalent forms of physical disabilities. Clinical signs and progressive stages of specific disabilities are reviewed as well as related terminology and special considerations related to service dog placement. It is also designed to weave together strands from psychological, sociological, somatic, and political perspectives, including an exploration of subjective experiences with disabilities. Part of the course involves dialogue with people with disabilities as well as experiential learning through role-playing exercises.
  (3 credits)

• ADE 225 – Intro to Assistance Dog Selection, Breeding & Whelping

  This course introduces students to the basic principles of selecting service dogs, the issues involved in the breeding process, and the materials and methods for whelping the resulting puppies. It will cover the selection phenotype characteristics like structure, low-to mid-arousal, low predatory drive, desire to please and trainability. The role genetics play in selection will be referenced. (2 credits: 1.5 lec, .5 lab)

• ADE 230 - Intro to Service Dog Roles & Training

  Students learn the commands utilized and the methods for teaching the assistance dog commands. Emphasis is put on understanding how a dog learns and techniques to teach each command.
  (2.5 credits: 2 lecture, .5 lab)

• ADE 231 - Intro to Service Dog Training Supervised Lab

  This course provides the student with basic knowledge and skills related to selecting, training, and utilizing dogs in institutions, schools, libraries, courthouses and other settings.
  Pre-requisite(s): ADE 230 Intro to Service Dog Roles & Training, ADE 232 Intro to Facility & Therapy Dog Roles and Training
  (2 supervised lab credits)

• ADE 232 Intro to Facility & Therapy Dog Roles and Training

  This course provides the student with basic knowledge and skills related to selecting, training, and utilizing dogs in institutions, schools, libraries, courthouses and other settings. (1 credit: .5 lecture, .5 lab)

• ADE 233 Intro to Facility & Therapy Dog Training Supervised Lab

  Students practice social therapy dog commands taught by their instructor, with guidance on theirs and the dog’s body language and communication.
  Pre-requisite(s): ADE 230 Intro to Service Dog Roles & Training, ADE 232 Intro to Facility & Therapy Dog Roles and Training. (.5 supervised lab credits)

• ADE 235 - Intro to Affiliated Service, Facility & Therapy Dog Roles & Training

  Students are instructed in the concepts of recreational activities for service, facility and therapy dog participation; these modified sporting activities like agility, rally, and others are intended to provide fun and exercise to the lives of these specialized dog human partnerships. (1 credit: .5 lecture, .5 lab)

• ADE 236 - Intro to Affiliated Service Dog Training Supervised Lab

  Students practice reading with dog skills in a public school classroom, attend field trips incorporating learned social therapy skills. (1 supervised lab credit)
  Pre-requisite(s): ADE 232 Intro to Facility & Therapy Dog Roles and Training, ADE 235 Intro to Affiliated Service Dog Roles & Training

• ADE 244 - Intro to Remediating Problem Assistance Dogs

  Dogs, whether service, facility, or canine therapy dogs, can suffer from a number of behavioral problems that make them difficult to live or work with. This course will provide instruction on how to assess the most common of dog behavioral problems, and offer approaches to correcting them. The secondary issue will be to discuss which dogs are able to be placed in the above three roles, or which need to be placed in other roles or released. (1.5 credits: 1 lecture, .5 lab)

• ADE 250 - Dog/Pup Parent & Pup Petter Management

  Students will learn the necessity for outside pup petters for pup enrichment, and the training needed for these volunteers. The need for volunteer pup parents and the training programs each of these requires. (1.5 credits)

• ADE 255 – Assistance Dog Scent Detection Dog Roles & Training

  Dogs have an amazing sense of smell that can be utilized in many working roles. This course introduces students to the many scent detection jobs dogs can do for individuals with disabilities like diabetic alert dog work. Students will learn the fundamentals of scent detection training and will get hands-on experience training a dog to do scent detection. (2 credits: 1.5 lecture, .5 lab)
  Co-requisite(s): ADE 256 – Assistance Dog Scent Detection Supervised Lab

• ADE 256 - Assistance Dog Scent Detection Supervised Lab

  Students and dogs will practice diabetic alert detection exercises and expand to other disabilities like allergy alert during the lab time. Focus will be on the dog’s appropriate alerting methods. Co-requisite(s): ADE 255 - Assistance Dog Scent Detection Dog Roles & Training (.5 supervised lab credits)

• ADE 260 - Intro to Non-Profit Business Management

  Students learn about program incorporation, building boards of directors, gaining tax-exempt status for the donors, minimum HR practices, hiring and personnel management. (2 credits)

• ADE 265 - Intro to Non-Profit Fundraising & Marketing

  This course focuses on fundraising processes starting with public relations and marketing methods, identifying and cultivation of donors, donor software, grant identifying and writing, and follow-up. Students learn and practice techniques to build constituencies and to raise funds. (2 credits)

• ADE 270 - Assistance Dog Laws

  Explores the legal issues surrounding assistance dog access rights and laws in this country. Particular attention is paid to state and ADA laws. Students are asked to examine the completeness, efficacy, enforce-ability, and consequences of current assistance dog-related law. (1.5 credits)

• ADE 280 – Intro to Assistance Dog Client Training

  This course includes a two-week applied mock client training so students are familiar with the experience their clients will go through when obtaining a dog. This course culminates in a two-week mock client training where students practice their skills in running a class placing service, facility and therapy dogs with clients. (2.5 credits: 2 wks at semester beginning/end)

• ADE 282 – Assistance Dog Client Processing, Placement & Follow Up

  The course prepares students to create and manage service dog clients from the initial application and interview process through acceptance into client training and matching. Clients are also made aware of the shorter dog life and mention of grief is introduced in these conversations. Throughout the semester they are also involved in the monthly, bi-annual, and annual post-placement follow-up with clients. (1 credit)

• ADE 285 – Assistance Dog Client Training

  Students become student-teachers using their skills to run a class placing service, facility and therapy dogs with clients. Throughout the semester they are also involved in the monthly, bi-annual, and annual post-placement follow-up with clients. (2.5 credits)

• LIF 110 - Intro to Human-Dog Psychology & Development

  This course provides an overview of basic psychological principles and expands to include the similarities between human and dog psychology. Theories of sports psychology that pertain to the acquisition of motor skills applicable to humans and dogs will be explored in depth and the psychology of learning will supplement the curriculum. With attention on research-based behavioral science, students are provided an opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills in relation to the unique psychological bond between human and dog. Students are introduced to the importance of sound early childhood and puppyhood management and training. Emphasis is placed on biological, affective, psychosocial, cognitive, and motor skill development. (3 credits)

• LIF 150 – Canine Health & Care

  This course is an introduction to basic canine health care. Techniques for examining the dogs are stressed, as is preventive medicine. Treatments for minor injuries and other medical conditions are discussed. A list of treatments monthly, annually and beyond are given to the students who should become knowledgeable in their application.
  Co-requisite(s): LIF 151 - Canine Health & Care Supervised Lab (2.5 credits: 2 lecture, .5 lab)

• LIF 151 – Canine Health & Care Supervised Lab

  Students will be required to attend to minor injuries and other medical conditions as well as learn about required shots and treatments. (.5 supervised lab credits
  Co-requisite(s): LIF 150 - Canine Health & Care

• LIF 235 – Career Considerations

  Graduating Associate students will explore a range of careers available in dog and industry-related businesses for Associate Degree graduates, and engage in an assessment of their personal strengths and skills in relation to desired career areas. Meetings consist of both individual and group discussions. (.5 credits)

• LIF 262 – Intro to Kennel Technology

  This course teaches methods used in managing a dog’s environment. Containment systems, cleanup, sanitation, and issues related to waste disposal requirements, along with general health and safety concerns applicable to the home, business, or kennel environment, including toy safety, are explored. (1 credit: .5 lecture, .5 lab)
  Prerequisite: LIF 250A
  Corequisite: LIF 250C

• LIF 263 – Kennel Technology Supervised Lab

  Co-requisite(s) and/or Pre-requisite(s): LIF 262 - Intro to Kennel Technology