Dolphin Research Center Training Institute
Professional Animal Trainer Program
The DRC Training Institute offers a Professional Animal Trainer (PAT) 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 for trainers who work with both marine and terrestrial animals.
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.
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.
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This is a hybrid learning program and consists of both online and onsite learning
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Length: minimum 14 weeks of online classes and 5 days onsite at DRC
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Student chooses 6 courses from 11 offered courses
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The onsite portion of the program will accommodate up to 20 individual students annually
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Course Listing:
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PD001 Furthering Relationships and Enrichment
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PD002 Basic Behavior Modification and Training (pre-req for PD003, PD004 and PD008)
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PD003 Advanced Behavior Modification and Training
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PD004 Training Interactive Programs
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PD005 Marine Mammal Research
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PD006 Nutrition for Marine Mammals
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PD007 Maternity Care for Marine Mammals
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PD008 Husbandry Care and Training
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PD009 Public Speaking and Controversy of Animals in Professional Care
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PD010 Facilitating Positive Social Groups to Increase Welfare
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PD011 Training and Managing California Sea Lions
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2023 Program Dates
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Online Portion: Ongoing enrollment. The online portion typically takes at least 3 months to complete. The online portion must be completed to be eligible to attend the onsite portion.
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Onsite Portion: October 9, 2023 - October 13, 2023
Application Information
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The deadline to apply for the 2023 session: June 1, 2023
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You must submit a completed application, fee, and all required documents by the deadline to qualify to attend the 2023 onsite portion. Any applications received after the deadline will be considered for the next year’s onsite portion.
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The onsite portion of the program is optional.
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Applications (and other forms) are available for download below, in the Resource Library.
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There is a $25 non-refundable application fee.
Enrollment and Admissions Information
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Once the application deadline passes for a particular session, the DRCTI registration and enrollment coordinator will review the applications to ensure all prerequisites are met.
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Qualified applications will then be forwarded to the selection committee for final review and selection.
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20 qualified students will be chosen each time the program is offered, with special exceptions made for trainers who are taking the program as part of a group class scheduled through their marine mammal facility or zoo.
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Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis dependent upon meeting the qualifications. If there are more than 20 qualified applicants for any given program dates, enrollment will be deferred for up to one year.
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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.
Tuition
Costs are $150.00 each for instructor-led courses and $75.00 for self-paced courses. Please email the coordinator at drcti@dolphins.org for more information
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Option 1: Online and Onsite: $1850 per student if choosing to come onsite for hands-on work with dolphins at DRC for five days, receiving feedback from instructors. Tuition covers all admissions and lab fees. Travel, lodging and food costs are the student’s responsibility.
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Option 2: Online Only: $1250 per student if completing the program entirely online. Must be able to video sessions with their animals, with permission from their facility, and have the ability to upload the video to the instructor.
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Fees - $25 application fee (non-refundable)
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Books & Supplies - $30.00-$60.00
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Travel Costs - will vary - travel, lodging and food costs for onsite is the responsibility of the student (entrance to DRC is included in tuition costs).
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Cost to test out of PD002 - $25.00 (must pass with 80% or better)
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Cost to take classes over and above the chosen 6 must be taken within 12 months of completing the main program.
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Special Group Rates offered for facilities taking this course, please contact the coordinator for rate information.
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Optional Onsite Student Housing - $100 per person, per night (max 6 students)
*Application fee and tuition fee(s) are non-refundable or transferable.
Please see links to the continuing education certificate program documents below for more information regarding costs, course descriptions and the application and enrollment processes. You can also email DRCTI@dolphins.org.
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.
Resource Library
