Get Certified
cost
There is a $75 evaluation fee per pet that is required (payable by email transfer) in order to reserve a time slot. Time slots are generally filled on a first-come first-served basis. Evaluation dates fill quickly, so please be aware there may be a wait for a time slot. We recommend that you sign up for our cancellation wait list. This fee helps us cover the cost of our trainers and rental of the facility, and is non-refundable.
A minimum of 7 days of notice is required for us to attempt to fill your time slot in the event that you are unavailable. If we are able to fill you time slot, we will transfer your fee towards the next certification date.The day following the evaluation, you will be contacted and given some feedback, as well as notified if you have passed the evaluation.
If you and your animal have passed, you will be required to attend an orientation session in which you are given more information on the requirements before you volunteer, and what your volunteer experience will be like.
scheduling
CAAWLS typically holds an evaluation one Saturday per month from 1pm - 5 pm. The evaluation takes place at K9 Awareness, Rowland Cresc, St Albert. For information on K9awareness please visit: www.allseasonk9awarenesscentre.com
The first part of the evaluation is a basic obedience component with dogs showing basic manners and skills. The second component is a temperament test where we expose the dog to stimuli they may encounter during a visit. Each evaluation takes ~25 minutes and we provide results right after. Evaluations occasionally take a bit longer than that for various reasons, and we appreciate your patience if we are running a bit behind.
Upon completion of your individual evaluation, you and your animal are required to complete 2 orientation visits with our coordinator. This allows for modifications to restrictions, monitor the dogs stress during visits, and of course support our new volunteers as they prepare for future visits.
guidelines
CAAWLS does not have a minimum age for animals to volunteer but dogs must have a firm grasp of basic obedience and both dogs must be able to greet humans and other animals in a controlled manner. Your animal cannot be on a raw diet due to health and safety reasons. We prefer that animals be spayed or neutered. They must be in good health.
Any animal that demonstrates any of the following behaviors will be considered unsuitable for animal assisted activities and will be asked to leave the evaluation:
Baring teeth, growling or other aggression
Excessive jumping
Eliminating, submissive or excitement urination, or marking during the evaluation
equipment
Only humane handling equipment such as harnesses, haltis, or flat collars are permitted during evaluation. Your animal may wear its martingale, face-harness, chest harness, or any other type of humane handling collar to the evaluation.
The following equipment is not permitted at any time during evaluation or volunteering:
Retractable leashes
Choke, slip, or prong collars
temperment test
The temperament test is comprised of scenarios you and your pet may experience during a wellness session so that the trainers can observe how your animal will react. The test includes the following:
Handling by a stranger (both adults and children)
Exuberant or clumsy petting (includes tail and ears)
Exposure to fast movement (scooter, running child)
Restraining hug
Staggering/gesturing individual
Yelling/screaming
Mild pain (pinch)
Direct stare
Exposure to loud, unexpected noises
Blow in the face
Unexpected approach
Bump from behind
Crowding and petting by several people at once
Sitting with a stranger
Taking a treat (gently)
obedience test
Two trainers will be observing and evaluating your animal during each part of the evaluation. The following is expected of your animal during our standard obedience test:
Accepting a friendly stranger – dog or cat allows a stranger to approach and speak to the handler
Accepting petting – evaluator pets the dog or cat
Accept examination – evaluator will look in eyes, ears, at the teeth and pick up each front foot
Out for a walk – dogs perform a short heeling pattern, cats walk as they would on a visit (cats must be on a leash during the test)
A dog demonstrates that it can sit and lay down on command
A dog sits and lays down and stays in place
A dog comes when it is called from a distance
Reaction to distraction – the animal is confident when faced with noise and visual distractions
Ability to quickly settle and become calm
Relationship – the evaluator looks for a strong bond between the animal and handler