Education Requirements

The educational requirements for eligibility under AWR and CWR are outlined below for further details.

  1. ID, Natural History & Behavior (4hrs)
    • Understanding how to identify different species and learning about their natural history and behaviors. This knowledge is critical for understanding animal needs and providing appropriate care.
  2. Handling, Restraint & Human Safety (4hrs)
    • Techniques for safely handling and restraining animals while ensuring the safety of both the animal and the handler. This is crucial for preventing injuries during medical procedures or transport.
  3. Basic Physiology (4hrs)
    • An introduction to the basic physiological functions of animals, such as respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems, which helps in understanding how animals respond to illness, injury, and treatment.
  4. Intake, Triage & Stabilization (5hrs)
    • Procedures for receiving animals, assessing their condition (triage), and providing immediate care to stabilize them before further treatment.
  5. Euthanasia (3hrs)
    • Ethical considerations and techniques for euthanizing animals to relieve suffering when recovery is not possible or in cases where an animal’s quality of life is severely compromised.
  6. Hydration & Fluid Therapy (4hrs)
    • Techniques for assessing hydration levels and administering fluids to animals that are dehydrated or require intravenous therapy for medical conditions.
  7. Thermoregulation (3hrs)
    • Methods for managing and maintaining proper body temperature in animals, as temperature regulation is crucial for survival, especially in injured or stressed animals.
  8. Wound Management (3hrs)
    • Training on how to properly treat and manage wounds, including cleaning, bandaging, and monitoring for infection or complications.
  9. Medications (4hrs)
    • Knowledge about various medications used in animal care, including dosages, administration routes, and understanding possible side effects or contraindications.
  10. Nutrition (4hrs)
    • Understanding the nutritional needs of different animal species and how to provide appropriate diets to support recovery, growth, or maintenance of health.
  11. Captive Housing (4hrs)
    • Best practices for providing proper housing for animals in care, considering their physical and psychological needs in a controlled environment.
  12. Release Criteria (4hrs)
    • Guidelines for determining when an animal is ready to be released back into the wild, including assessments of health, behavior, and environmental readiness.
  13. Calculations (4hrs)
    • Training in mathematical calculations related to animal care, such as drug dosages, fluid intake, and other medical calculations essential in providing proper treatment.