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Dolphin Research Center Training Institute's

Professional Animal Trainer Certificate Program

2024 Application Period is OPEN!

2024 Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

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Overview

 

The Dolphin Research Center Training Institute offers a Professional Animal Trainer (PAT) Certificate Program as continuing education to individuals currently working in the animal training/handling field or those who have, at minimum, one year of consecutive training/handling experience within the past two years. While the program’s focus is marine mammals, the courses offered can be applied to trainers who work with both marine and terrestrial animals.

Students who complete the Professional Animal Trainer Certificate Program will have expanded their knowledge and skills to assess animal behavior successfully, adeptly provide appropriate husbandry care, and apply positive training techniques for the well-being and enrichment of the animals in their care. Students will also gain skills that further their abilities in applying critical thinking and creative techniques to build stronger relationships.

 

Find out if you have the professional requirements to apply for Dolphin Research Center Training Institute's Professional Animal Trainer (PAT) program.

 

 

Program Description

Students who complete the PAT program will have expanded their knowledge and skills to successfully assess animal behavior, adeptly provide appropriate husbandry care, and apply positive training techniques for the well-being and enrichment of the animals in their care. Students will also gain skills that further their abilities in applying critical thinking and creative techniques to build stronger relationships.

  • This is a hybrid learning program and consists of both online and onsite learning

  • Length: minimum 14 weeks of online classes and 5 days onsite at DRC

  • Student chooses 6 courses from 11 offered courses

  • Online classes are to be completed at your own pace

  • Online classes typically take a minimum of three (3) months to complete

  • Online classes must be complete to be eligible to particiapte in the onsite portion of the program

  • The onsite portion of the program will accommodate up to 20 individual students annually

  • The onsite portion of the program will accommodate up to 6 indvidual students per set of onsite dates

  • Program Catalog

 

Course Listing (choose six):

  • PD001 Furthering Relationships and Enrichment
  • PD002 Basic Behavior Modification and Training (pre-req for PD003, PD004 and PD008)
  • PD003 Advanced Behavior Modification and Training
  • PD004 Training Interactive Programs
  • PD005 Marine Mammal Research
  • PD006 Nutrition for Marine Mammals
  • PD007 Maternity Care for Marine Mammals
  • PD008 Husbandry Care and Training
  • PD009 Public Speaking and Controversy of Animals in Professional Care
  • PD010 Facilitating Positive Social Groups to Increase Welfare
  • PD011 Training and Managing California Sea Lions

 

2024 Program Dates

  • Online Portion: Online classes open April 1st

  • Onsite Portion: October 6, 2024 - October 11, 2024 OR October 13, 2024 - October 18, 2024

 

Meet the DRCTI Professional Animal Trainer course instructors

 

The DRCTI Professional Animal Trainer Program (PAT) is an approved provider of continuing education units for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Earn 30 CEUs for Behavior Consultant in our online courses. Earn 30 CEUs for Training in our onsite classes. CCPDT is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession.

 

If you are a team member of a facility/organization that would like to schedule a group class, please email drcti@dolphins.org prior to completing any paperwork.

Performance Standards

General Student Performance Standards

All students are expected to maintain the highest personal and ethical standards of conduct consistent with the professional effort expected by DRCTI faculty and all personnel at Dolphin Research Center. These standards are outlined below. Any information indicating that such standards are not being maintained will be reviewed by faculty and may result in student dismissal by the administration.

Attendance

All students must meet attendance requirements as defined by program policy or guidelines. Absences must be planned and coordinated in advance with the program director. Programming can exceed 10 hours a day during the onsite portion of the program. As this program includes participation in the operation of a marine mammal facility that is open to the public, appropriate behavior is expected. Due to the nature of a facility that cares for live animals, students are expected to be understanding and flexible in scheduling.

Communication

All students will be expected to:

  • Communicate effectively
  • Meet the unique needs of different audiences
  • Absorb new information without difficulty
  • Speak and write clearly, concisely, and coherently
  • Express information accurately and in an organized manner
  • Listen to all of the information given and listen respectfully to others’ opinions
  • Keep the appropriate people properly informed
  • Use the appropriate communication channels.

Critical /Analytical Thinking

All students should be able to:

  • Exercise sound judgment
  • Prioritize
  • Understand critical issues in complex situations
  • Know how much analysis is needed to move ahead
  • Assess risks and rewards with a minimum of data and know what data is missing and how to get it
  • Gather facts before making decisions
  • Take actions rather than acting on assumptions.

Interpersonal skills

All students should demonstrate the ability to:

  • Interact with individuals and groups of various ages with diverse social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
  • Facilitate cooperation to implement/adhere to college and program policies
  • Actively seek to establish and maintain relations with individuals at all levels
  • Cooperate readily with others and elicit cooperation to achieve goals
  • Modify personal behavior to adapt to the requirements of the people and program involved
  • Function effectively under stressful conditions
  • Deal positively and confidently with unexpected events.

Personal Integrity

All students will be expected to demonstrate personal integrity in all matters including:

  • Honesty
  • The ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Earning the respect and confidence of others
  • Portraying a positive role model for others
  • Accepting responsibility for negative results
  • Maintaining an open mind and dealing productively with differing opinions
  • Treating all others with appreciation, respect, and courtesy
  • Adhering to organization policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Problem Solving

All students should show the ability to:

  • Use appropriate conflict-resolution techniques and confront difficult tasks effectively
  • Seek reasonable and mutually beneficial agreements/solutions to solve problems/achieve goals/directives.

 

Program Specific Performance Standards

In addition to DRCTI’s ‘General Student Performance Standards’, the following program-specific performance standards apply:

 

Mobility: Without assistance, sufficient to rapidly walk the span of Dolphin Research Center without interruption, run and swim distances of 50 yards, easily maneuver on and off floating/moving platforms without assistance, maneuver in tight spaces while manipulating overhead objects, work outdoors in both intense sun and heat as well as under rainy and cold conditions. Students are required to participate in the cleaning of coolers and other materials related to animal care.
 

Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective animal care, including without assistance, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and maneuver non-motorized rolling carts carrying up to 60 lbs. over the entire span of the facility (approximately 230 yards) without interruption.
 

Hearing: Ability sufficient to monitor human communication, auditory training bridges and animal vocalizations and behavior across large distances (half the length of the facility animal habitats combined). 
 

Visual: Ability sufficient for observation and visual assessment of animals, humans, and habitats in extreme high light (intense sun) and low light situations, both indoors and outdoors. Students must see well at a distance of 90 feet or more. This is in accordance with human and animal safety issues and observational needs.
 

Swimming: Ability to swim comfortably at the surface for a minimum of 5 minutes, tread water for a minimum of 10 minutes, distance swim at least 200 meters, hold breath for at least 30 seconds, retrieve a dive ring from approximately 8-10 feet deep, and haul out of the water onto a floating dock without assistance.

Travel Expectations

Each student is responsible for his or her own food, transportation, and travel arrangments and expenses.



 

Student Housing

DRCTI Student Residence Housing Option

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The DRCTI Student Residence is optional housing for up to six students throughout the duration of the onsite portion of the Professional Animal Trainer program. Student Residence bedrooms are shared with two to three students per room. One private bedroom is also available. The shared bedrooms are composed of either bunk or loft beds. All bedrooms will have desks and clothing drawer space. Closet space is also available. Two full bathrooms in the residence are communal. The Student Residence has a full kitchen, dining area, living room, study room, and laundry facilities. Housing costs include: washer and dryer, water, electric, cable, internet service, and building maintenance services. Bed linens will be provided but students will be responsible for providing their own towels, blankets, and pillows. Room selection is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, while the Student Residence is considered co-ed, bedrooms within the residence are not. Therefore, DRCTI reserves the right to determine the best configuration so co-ed habitation of the bedrooms is avoided.

Tuition & Fees

DRCTI's Professional Animal Trainer Certificate Program Tuition & Fees

Application Fee
$25

Non-refundable

Tuition:

Online ONLY

Online & Onsite

 

$1,850

$1,250

Refer to Cancellation and Refund Policy

Includes DRCTI shirt

Test out of PD002 $25

Optional 

Must pass with 80% or higher

Required Reading Books

Estimated

$30-$60

Price depends on where you make your purchases of the required books. 

Touching Animal Souls by Gabrielle Harris

Animal Training 101 by Jennifer Zeligs

Housing

$600

Optional

$100 per night

Photo Package $50 Optional

Other costs incurred by students may include but are not limited to travel, transportation, food, personal supplies, and other living expenses.

If you are a team member of a facility that would like to schedule a group class please email drcti@dolphins.org prior to completing any paperwork.

Download the credit card authorization form in the Aplication & Forms tab. Upload completed form to application/enrollment form. Please submit your application and remember to complete any additional requirements such as application fee, letters of recommendation, etc. 

Full payment of tuition is due 30 days before the start date of the program. If the date is within 30 days of the start of the program, the balance is due immediately. Payment of the balance not received by this deadline will result in the automatic removal of the applicant from the program.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Should a student’s enrollment be terminated or canceled for any reason, all tuition fees will not be refunded after the online class start date. 
 
Refunds will be considered if DRCTI is notified in writing prior to the online class start date.
 

The DRCTI Professional Animal Trainer Program (PAT) is an approved provider of continuing education units for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Earn 30 CEUs for Behavior Consultant in our online courses. Earn 30 CEUs for Training in our onsite classes. CCPDT is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession.

 

Application & Forms

Application

Please complete and submit your application.

 

Forms & Waivers

Please locate the Resource Library at the bottom of the page to download and complete the required forms and waivers. When complete, upload them to the appropriate document (application or enrollment form). 

 

Resource Library

 

Our Mission - Through education, research and rescue, Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals, humans and the environment we share with the well being of DRC's animals taking precedence.
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