Santa Clarita, Calif., February 4, 2019 – Animal Behavior College (ABC), a vocational school that educates professional pet groomers, cat trainers, dog trainers and veterinary assistants nationwide and in the 10 provinces of Canada, today announced it is accepting enrollment applications for its spring 2019 On-Campus Dog Obedience Program (DOP). The five-month program, which begins on March 11, 2019, and concludes on August 9, 2019, is held at the school’s headquarters, located at 25104 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita, California.
Enrollment is open to all military veterans, their spouses or dependent children as well as to any student who prefers a classroom environment as opposed to an online course.
“Our accelerated course is perfect for students who prefer a traditional classroom setting and face-to-face interaction with their instructors,” said Candace Mason, director of admissions for ABC. “Students spend the entire day learning and training dogs for 5 months and receive invaluable feedback that enhances their educational experience.”
The 11-stage program teaches positive-reinforcement training techniques and covers numerous relevant topics, including learning theories, basic dog obedience cues, group class training, business building, pet first aid and CPR. Students apply what they learn in the classroom during the program’s hands-on portion which is held at Best Friends Animal Society of Los Angeles.
Once students meet program requirements and graduate, they become ABC Certified Professional Dog Trainers (ABCDT), who go on to make a difference in the lives of many owners and their canine companions.
“During classroom demonstrations and at the rescue, students learn problem-solving skills and gain practical experience in real life situations,” said Seth Hutson, ABCDT and instructor of the On-Campus program. Mr. Hutson is a U.S. Army Veteran with more than 22 years of service with the Army National Guard and law enforcement combined where he assisted in training military K-9 units. “Students train homeless dogs not only to socialize them but to increase their chances for adoption.”
Tami Kearney, ABCDT, is Mr. Hutson’s assistant. The former veterinary technician has trained dogs for more than 15 years and has experience working with deaf and behaviorally challenged canines.
ABC’s On-Campus Certified Dog Obedience Instructor Training Program is approved for veterans and eligible individuals under the provisions of Title 38 of the United States Code under the following programs:
• The Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 30
• Post 9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33
• Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
• Reserve Educational Assistance – Chapter 1607
• Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment – Chapter 30
Individuals with no military experience or affiliation may qualify for a variety of finance programs ABC offers.
The jobs forecast for dog trainers and other animal care and service workers in the U.S. appear promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment will grow 22 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. With 60.2 million U.S. households owning a dog, which equates to 89.7 million dogs, according to the 2017-2018 American Pet Product National Pet Owners Survey, ABC certified dog trainers have the option of working for an established company or building their own successful dog training business.
As of December 31, 2018, more than 160 U.S. veterans have graduated from the program and more than 4,000 military spouses have graduated and received professional certifications in dog trainer training, pet grooming programs combined. ABC also offers cat training and specialized certificates of completion in seven Short-Term Programs, including doggie daycare, pet fostering, pet massage, pet nutrition, pet sitting, training shelter dogs, and selling and teaching private lessons.
Military veterans may qualify for financial assistance. Call 800-795-3294 or visit animalbehaviourcollege.ca to learn more.
About Animal Behavior College
Founded in 1998, Animal Behavior College is a vocational school that trains professional dog trainers, cat trainers, veterinary assistants and pet groomers. To date, the college has graduated more than 27,500 students. Students obtain practical hands-on experience applying what they learn by working side-by-side with a member of ABC’s expert mentors group. These professional mentors include thousands of professional dog trainers, veterinary hospitals and clinics and grooming salons from all across the U.S. and Canada who are dedicated to helping students succeed in the pet services industry.