Human-Animal Bond in Colorado

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. Required medical records for class participation include proof of the following vaccines: Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP. 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 introduces 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 we will build your dog’s desire to hunt and seek, honing their natural ability to follow odor. Searching turns on the dog’s seeking system, making them feel good and helping active dogs find focus, and shy dogs grow in confidence. This class also increases handler observation skills and you get to understand your dog in a new way. Each dog works one at a time. This class is perfect for all dogs: therapy dogs needing a fun activity, companion dogs looking to put their nose to use, or reactive dogs who need a job. Dogs must be at least six months old. Required medical records for class participation include proof of the following vaccines: Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP. 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 takes you to the next level in the sport of K9 Nose Work. Successful completion of Intro to K9 Nose Work (at HABIC or elsewhere) is required to enroll. In this class your dog will learn to find specific essential oils, allowing for more complicated searches in a variety of locations. This class builds teamwork with your dog and hones your observation skills. Dogs must be at least six months old. Required medical records for class participation include proof of the following vaccines: Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP. 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 continues your dog’s nose work journey. Successful completion of Intro to Odor (at HABIC or elsewhere) is required to enroll. In this class we teach dogs how to find specific odors on vehicles and in exterior locations. This teaches the handler keen observation skills to know when the dog is following odor, and teaches dogs to work in the presence of distractions. Unlike a traditional training class your dog will remain in your car or crated inside during this class, so that each dog can work one at a time in the building. This allows your dog to feel safe to search and learn, while allowing handlers to work on their observation skills without needing to manage their dog. Please make sure that your car is set up to contain your dog, or they can be crated inside the building away from where we will be working. Crating allows dogs time to rest and process information between searches. Dogs must be at least six months old. Required medical records for class participation include proof of the following vaccines: Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP. 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.