The Evolution in Training for Pet Industry Professionals

PIJAC Canada welcomes you to discover the all new Distance Education Program. In an effort to enhance the delivery of the existing Certified Companion Animal Specialist Program, PIJAC Canada has altered the format to ensure unlimited accessibility to the program for all Canadian pet industry businesses. The Canine Certification Speciality is the first of six distance education programs to be offered by the association. While continuing to focus on Canine care and husbandry, this all-in-one course is available online via the PIJAC Canada website and on CD Rom in both French and English.

The Certified Companion Animal Specialist Program is the only voluntary certification program of its kind available to the Canadian pet industry. The course was developed by veterinarians and pet industry experts to train people who work with pets on a regular basis in the field of proper animal husbandry. The Canine Specialist Certification program contains 13 learning modules and one final exam. Participants who successfully complete the exam will earn a Certified Canine Specialist Designation through PIJAC Canada.

Canine Distance Education Learning Modules

Module 1	Overview of Sources	Module 8	Registration Bodies
Module 2	Receiving Puppies	Module 9	Puppy Health Problems
Module 3	Intake Examination	Module 10	Nutrition
Module 4	Rejection Policies	Module 11	Vaccination Regimens
Module 5	Temperament and Behaviour	Module 12	Sanitation
Module 6	Consumer Relations	Module 13	Dog Breed Identification
Module 7	Housing

Cost of the Program

• PIJAC Canada Members: $120.00 CDN
• Non Members: $140.000 CDN

Grandfather Clause

Because the Certified Companion Animal Specialist program is transitioning from a two-part (seminar and homestudy) to an all-in-one program, PIJAC Canada has created a grandfather clause for participants who are midway through the program. Students who have already completed the seminar module of the current canine specialist program will have a 6 month window, starting January 1, 2008, in which to finish their certification by completing the homestudy, which will be available to them at the current homestudy rate. Those who have completed the homestudy and wish to obtain a certificate will be offered the Canine Distance Education Program at the current seminar rate, but will have to complete the entire online/CD Rom program.

Coming Soon

The evolution of PIJAC Canada’s Certified Companion Animal Specialist Program will continue over the next few years. In the meantime, specialties that have not been converted to the online/CD Rom format will still be available. Future Distance Education Program topics include: Feline, Avian, Reptile, Freshwater Fish and Small Animal.

To order the online program, please register online and purchase the program through "My Distance Education Program". If you prefer to purchase the CD version of the program, please click here.

If you have any other questions, please contact: PIJAC Canada (1-800-667-7452)