Human-Animal Bond in Colorado

This 4-week class teaches essential obedience skills. Topics include heeling, leave it, polite greetings, recall, and stay. It covers everything your dog needs to know before enrolling in the Therapy Dog Foundations class, while also being a great basic obedience course for any dog. Successfully completing Beginnings Test Out is required to enroll in the Therapy Dog Foundations class. The fee for Beginnings Test Out is included in Beginnings. Dogs may begin the Beginnings class as early as six months old. This allows handlers to build a solid foundation of skills and confidence before pursuing therapy work. However, dogs must be at least 16 months old to take the Beginnings Test Out and enroll in HABIC Therapy Dog Foundations. With a natural age gap before the Beginnings Test Out, this class meets teams wherever they are. Some join for basic obedience, others continue as their dog matures (with a re-enrollment discount!), and others start early and come back once their dog is old enough for the Test Out. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.

Successfully completing the Beginnings Test Out is required to enroll in the Therapy Dog Foundations class. This is payment only and does not enroll you in any session; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.

The therapy cat training class includes three 45-minute one-on-one sessions. We will assess your cat’s behavior in a new environment, conduct a temperament test, teach cat body language and handling skills, and review key concepts. Cats must be at least 18 months old. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.

This 3-week class prepares active HABIC volunteers with specialized training required for weekly school or healthcare volunteer placements. You will choose either Therapy Dog Focus – Schools or Therapy Dog Focus – Healthcare, depending on your volunteer goals. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.

This 6-week class prepares you for the final evaluation required for certification as a HABIC therapy dog team. HABIC certifies therapy dog teams through completion of the Therapy Dog Foundations class AND successful completion of a final evaluation. Specialized HABIC placements, such as weekly school and healthcare placements, will require additional training. You must pass the Beginnings Test Out, either as part of a HABIC Beginnings class or on its own, to enroll in this course. To schedule your final evaluation, you'll need to submit a HABIC Medical Form completed by your veterinarian and sign the HABIC Volunteer Responsibilities agreement. Dogs must be at least 16 months old. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.

This 6-week class will introduce you and your dog to the sport of K9 Nose Work, a fun activity where your dog uses their nose to find specific odors. In this class your dog gets to use their natural ability to follow odor and find food by searching for a treat hidden in boxes while you increase your observation skills. Sniffing is a fun activity that uses dogs’ brains while being easy on their joints, so it's particularly beneficial for young or senior dogs. This class is open to future therapy dogs, current therapy dogs, and pet dogs. Dogs must be at least six months old. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.