Are you considering working more closely with a dog? At K9AA we are big advocates for people recognising and honouring the full potential a dog can play in your life, elevating your relationship from the average ‘pet owner’ to potential ‘team-mate’.
Embarking on the journey of becoming the human 50% of a human-animal K9 Team comes with a responsibilities, costs and a big investment in time and on-going education to truly realise your aspirations, avoid costly and potentially harmful mistakes and work towards being an ethical handler.
Taking this course is the recommended first step in exploring the K9 Handler pathway before you make the decision to fully commit to a K9 and the journey you will go on together. Ideally you are taking this course as a pro-active step before you have even identified your K9 team-mate (if you already have a potential K9 Team-mate, this course will help you identify knowledge gaps and provide clarity around next steps).
It is important for all handlers to have excellent general knowledge about dogs, to understand the part genetics and breed traits play in selecting/working with a different species, along with the ability to successfully communicate with the dog but also able to use appropriate sector terminology so that you can navigate the regulations and laws when advocating for your team.
The content of this course gives you important foundational knowledge that will help you decide if teaming up with a dog in the Animal-Assisted Services sector is for you.
“Animal-Assisted Services: Foundational knowledge for the aspiring K9 Handler” is your gateway to understanding the world of dogs and K9 team pathways. Whether you’re considering a K9 partner for a work or service role, or simply wish to understand dogs better this course offers an introductory exploration of the foundational facets of K9’s as human allies within this emerging sector.
Course Structure:
- K9 Assistance Australia Introduction: Embark on your journey with an introduction to the course structure and objectives, as well as insight into K9 Assistance Australia and the services we provide.
- Course Overview: Get a bird’s eye view of what to expect throughout the course, from historical insights to practical considerations in selecting and training your K9 partner.
- Sector Overview: Gain valuable insights into the various sectors where K9s play crucial roles, from law enforcement and search and rescue to therapy and service animals.
- Terminology and Definitions: Familiarize yourself with key terminology and definitions commonly used in the K9 sector, ensuring clear communication and understanding.
- History of Dogs: Delve into the fascinating history of our beloved canine companions, tracing their evolution from wild wolves to cherished members of human society.
- Human-Animal Bonds: Explore the profound and enduring bonds that humans share with dogs, highlighting the emotional, social, and therapeutic benefits of canine companionship.
- K9 Instincts & Senses: Gain a deeper understanding of the innate instincts and sensory capabilities that make dogs uniquely suited for a wide range of tasks and roles.
- Breeds: Discover the diverse array of dog breeds, each with its own distinct characteristics, temperaments, and physical attributes.
- Breeds and Work Roles: Explore how different breeds are specifically suited for various work roles, from herding and guarding to detection and assistance tasks.
- Desirable Traits by Work Type: Learn about the specific traits and qualities that are desirable for different types of work, helping you match the right breed to the right job.
- Desirable Handler Qualities:Â Explore the qualities and attributes that make for an effective K9 handler, tailored to the specific demands of different work types.
- K9 Selection Methods and Tools: Learn practical techniques and tools for selecting the right K9 partner for your specific needs and preferences.
- Law, Ethics, Welfare: Navigate the legal and ethical considerations surrounding K9 ownership, including regulations, welfare standards, and identifying ethical breeding practices. Fully understanding your obligations in obtaining consent before engaging K9’s in an additional role/workload within the human-centric world.
- Liability, Insurance & Cost Considerations: Understand the practical and financial considerations associated with K9 ownership, including liability, insurance, and ongoing costs.
- Sourcing a Local Trainer: Discover strategies for finding and selecting a reputable local dog trainer/educator to support you and your K9Â on your journey and assisted in problem solving.
- Working Dog Case Studies: Dive into real-life case studies and examples of working dogs in action, showcasing their remarkable abilities and contributions to society.
- Course Graduates Testimonials: Hear from past course graduates through testimonials and video presentations, gaining valuable insights into their experiences and successes.
- What’s Next? Explore ways K9AA can support you in achieving your aspirations in achieving an effective K9 Team and review if enrolling in the next course in this series is for you.
Whether you’re a prospective K9 handler, dog trainer/educator, or simply a dog enthusiast, “Animal-Assisted Services: foundational knowledge for the inspiring K9 Handler” offers a wealth of insights to help you navigate the world of K9 companionship with confidence and clarity. Enrol today and embark on the journey to discover the emerging Animal-Assisted Services Sector- K9 edition!
K9 Requirements: No dog required
The 3 courses that make up the K9AA Handler courses do not require your own dog as the course is primarily focused on upskilling the human 50% of the team to be knowledgeable and competent in their knowledge & handling skills. However it is recommended that if after Course 1 you are committed to the journey, it would be ideal and beneficial to have your own carefully selected K9 team-mate bonding and learning with you for the K9AA Handler course 2 and 3.
K9AA Handler Course 1: requires no access to a dog.
K9AA Handler Course 2 and 3 will require access only to a dog (does not need to be your own) to complete tasks and assessments to demonstrate knowledge and skills learnt. However, this would be an ideal time to start investing in your own K9 team-mate and the bond you will need prior to the K9AA TEAM certification course.
K9AA TEAM Certification course DOES require the dog you intend to team-up with for the role and the dog must be over 12mths old (and homed with you for at least 3 months), Vet checked and ready to participate in this course with you. This course is a Practical Course and is only available to Certified K9AA Handlers (those that have successfully completed 3 of 3 K9AA Handler Courses).
Equipment:Â
1. Access to computer/phone with camera and internet access
2. WhatsApp
3. Zoom App
*Students must have an 80% attendance to the live zoom meetings, as well as complete all assessments through-out the 3x Handler courses to be eligible to receive the title of Certified K9AA Handler at the end of course 3.
This course is run in cohorts, all cohorts for 2024 have been completed, and no further courses are planned in 2024. If you wish to be notified of when the next course dates are released, please leave us a message on our contact page.
Jenny Sheehan (verified owner) –
So thoughtfully constructed. Learnt a great deal
melissa (verified owner) –
K9 Assistance Australia with Claire and Steve – I was at a hard point in my K9 Handler life as my Assistance dog had passed in 2023 and I was given a new dog at the end of 2023, I was lost as the company we were using to qualify our dogs wasn’t available anymore. Claire from K9AA came to our rescue, she was welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. She was so caring while being professional as well, she made me feel safe and comfortable and showed me her company was all about caring just as much for the dogs as well as the handler, they have so much knowledge which has made a world of difference to me and my K9 Henry.
Being a K9 handler with a trained Assistance dog already I thought I had the knowledge I needed, I was proved wrong, this course taught me so much, the course was layed out well and easy to follow, the course material was all relevant to being a K9 Handler. The Zoom meetings were defiantly a vital part as discussing the modules with the K9AA and other K9 handlers was defiantly very important and informative.
Michael (verified owner) –
Amazing professional course content. This is essential for anyone in the Dog Training sphere or anyone with a service dog. For those just thinking of getting a service dog, this is the course for you. So much information I wish I had of known before I even purchased my Assistance Dog.
Kristy Dyer (verified owner) –
This is the ESSENTIAL course for anybody who
A) Wants to learn about how to raise a dog successfully, especially those who have never raised a dog before.
B) Is interested in the K9/Human connection
C) Is considering a Therapy dog
D) Is wanting to know more about Assistance dogs – the Pros and challenges.
K9AA will not doubt be the leaders in K9 Assistance. Their Code of Ethics, knowledge of K9’s and support, is far above the level given by many Assistance dog/ Therapy dog/ “dog training” organisations out there.
Brienna (verified owner) –
Throughout this course it is evident the dedication and knowledge that the K9AA team hold. They share their valuable expertise within the animal assisted services area, both within selecting and training your dog, and the ethics and legal principles involved in this field. Would highly recommend to anyone exploring the idea of dogs within professional areas, it also interesting information for your relationship with your regular K9 companion as well. We are really looking forward to the next stage of handler training!