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Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate (Cert.ACN)

The Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate program, building on the Cert.CN program is an in-depth exploration of more advanced topics in nutrients, obesity, behavior, and other topics related to this area of study. This program provides the solid knowledge necessary to understand the world of canine nutrition. This advanced coverage is designed to be more in-depth than other programs available and would be of interest to anyone wanting this level of knowledge in canine nutrition for personal interest or to advance your knowledge for a career in the field. While this program does not include coursework in consulting skills, professional ethics, or business practices, it is comprehensive with regard to advanced topics in nutrition science. This program also provides you with the opportunity to tailor your education as you would like with the choice of up to six electives.

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This program of study involves reading course notes and, where specified, articles or course texts and the completion of written assignments, most of the short essay answer type. Feedback and guidance are provided for assignments. Students may also take advantage of an email list with fellow students, grads, and faculty for questions and discussion, or students may email their instructor directly. CASI uses a shaping model of education, setting the student up for success and providing support/guidance and multiple opportunities to refine and resubmit assignments rather than just slapping a grade on them and moving on. This results in greater conditioning and minimal stress for the student.

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We recommend but do not require, that students have a high school senior-level science or biology course as preparation.

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This program requires approximately 40 hours for assignment preparation (not including reading and study time).

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The graduate would be awarded an Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate (Cert.ACN).

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The Cert.CN program is a prerequisite to the Cert.ACN program.

 

Tuition (Tuition can be paid on the ENROLL​ page)

 

$999.00 Canadian Dollars. (Currency converter. This provides only an estimate) Tuition is in Canadian funds. Textbooks are not included in tuition. They may be purchased through http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.comhttp://www.half.com or http://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/sacn5_download.html in most cases. Canadian residents pay applicable sales tax.

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • Nutrients

  • Obesity

  • Terminology: RBW, RER, EER, BCS, TEF, AF

  • Morphometric measurements

  • Breed prevalence

  • Keeping records

  • Weight loss programs

  • Nutritional effects on behavior, protein levels, blood sugar, etc

  • Neurotransmitters and amino acids; tryptophan, serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, etc

  • Blood-brain barrier

  • Fatty Acids

  • Omega 6 vs. Omega 3

  • Allergic skin reactions, atopy, food allergies, pruritis

  • Supplementation

  • Elimination diets

  • Canine athletes, endurance, sprint, physiology, glycogen storing, and repletion

  • Feeding guidelines for performance dogs

  • TCA cycle

  • Specific nutrient requirements for common disease states

  • Risk factors associated with common disease states  

  • Common testing and procedures

  • Six intestinal parasites and testing

  • Understanding urinalysis, fecal analysis, bloodwork, thyroid testing and ATCH stim testing 

  • Plus, the learning objectives for whichever electives are taken.

 

Program Package Includes:

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  • Coursework document including assignments and handouts

  • Student Handbook

 

Courses (Scroll down for course details):

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  • Canine Obesity 307

  • Nutrition and Canine Behavior 309

  • Nutrition and the Working Dog 311

  • Understanding Lab Work 314

  • Adverse Food Reactions & Skin and Coat Disorders 316

 

Electives (Scroll down for course details) (you may take as many as you can fit into your time allowed):

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  • Canine Cancer 318

  • Cardiovascular Disorders 320

  • Orthopedic Disorders 321

  • Kidney Disorders 322

  • Gastrointestinal and Metabolism Disorders 324

  • Endocrine Disorders 323

 

Entrance Requirements:

 

Entrance into this program requires that you have completed a high school diploma program or equivalent (exceptions can be made) and that you be at least 18 years of age. We recommend, but do not require, that students have a high school senior level science or biology course as preparation. Personal interest program of study.

Canine Nutrition Certificate program.

 

Schedule:

 

This program is self-paced within a 1-year time limit starting from the enrollment date. Enroll and get started any time you want from anywhere in the world.

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Course Descriptions:

 

Canine Obesity - 307

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course is an in-depth examination of obesity in dogs. It explores the different types of obesity, its causes and some of the ways in which veterinarians determine obesity. It also explores the use of food records and discusses the importance of family participation in weight reduction programs. This course also explains the calculations used to determine caloric requirements for a successful weight loss program and why it is important to prevent obesity in puppies and juveniles.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • Tips for encouraging safe weight loss

  • Nutrient requirements

  • Risk factors

  • Breed propensity

  • Caloric requirements for weight loss and maintenance

  • Roles of the veterinarian

  • Methods of weight loss

  • Supplements for obesity

  • Causes of obesity

  • Understanding the difference between RBW and BCS

  • Defining obesity

 

Required Resources:

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Nutrition and Canine Behavior - 309

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course discusses how nutrition can affect behavior. From different types of feeding behavior to the influences on neurotransmitters, nutrition can play important role in behavior. It also explores the behavioral signs related to allergic responses and the influences of low blood sugar. Although medical issues are addressed, this course does not instruct in the diagnosis or treatment of medical disorders or diseases.

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • How diet can influence aggressive behavior

  • Allergic reactions

  • Amino acids and neurotransmitters

  • How neurotransmitters influence behavior

  • Blood-brain barrier

  • How diet can influence neurotransmitters

 

Recommended Reading:

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  • DeNapoli, J. S., Dodman, Nicholas H., Shuster, Louis, Rand, William, Gross, Kathy. (2000). Effects of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity in dogs. Journal of the American Medical Association, 217(4), 504-508. Click here for info.

  • Dodman, N. H., Reisner, I., Shuster, L., Rand, W., Luescher, U. A., Robinson, I., and Houpt, K. A. (1996). Effects of dietary protein content on behavior in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 208(3), 376-379. Click here for info.

 

Required Resources:

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  • Course notes provided.

 

Nutrition and the Working Dog - 311

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course discusses the different requirements for various types of canine athletes. It explores the different types of exercise and how the body uses nutrients to fuel those exercises. This course explores how nutrition can affect performance as well as the requirements of an athlete’s food. It also discusses glycogen and its importance to exercise and performance.

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • Feeding plans for different athletes

  • Food requirements and digestibility

  • The function of glycogen

  • Antioxidants - function and sources

  • How nutrients affect performance

  • Nutritional requirements for different types of athletes

  • Endurance vs. sprinting type exercises

 

Course Resources:

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Understanding Lab Work - 314

Instructor: Susan Barker, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course takes an in-depth look at testing procedures for common and uncommon diseases and parasites. It is NOT meant to be a means to diagnose, that is a process only a qualified veterinarian should perform. It  simply discusses the methods used for testing and what those results may look like. It also explores some of the options that are available for additional testing.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • CBC

  • Blood differential testing

  • Red blood cells

  • White blood cells

  • Chemistry profiles

  • Kidney values

  • Liver values

  • Pancreatic values

  • Electrolytes

  • Understanding urinalysis

  • ACTH Stim testing

  • Understanding fecal analysis

  • Thyroid testing

  • Understanding Titers

  • Understanding hair tissue mineral analysis

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Graduates of the ACN program who wish to take this course and add it to their program may use this button to re-enroll at 90% off the tuition ($100 CDN):

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Course Resources:

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  • Course notes provided

 

Adverse Food Reactions & Skin and Coat Disorders - 316

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:
This course discusses the varied types of adverse food reactions as well as skin and coat disorders. Part One explores ingredients that may cause reactions and ingredients that may help prevent reactions. Material also includes breed propensity, elimination diets, and risk factors for adverse food reactions. Part Two explores nutritional requirements to keep the skin and coat healthy, risk factors for nutritionally related disorders, and fatty acids.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • Omega fatty acids

  • Nutrient requirements

  • Skin and coat health

  • Elimination diets

  • Food ingredients

  • Risk factors

  • Breed propensity

  • Different types of reactions

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Course Resources:

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Canine Cancer - 318

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course examines the phases of canine cancer as well as energy requirements, supplements, and nutritional guidelines. It also discusses cancer cell metabolism and how this affects the dog's health status. This elective looks at chemotherapy and how it affects gastrointestinal function and food intake. It also explores the controversial use of antioxidants and other supplements

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • nutritional status

  • nutrient requirements

  • enteral feeding

  • Zheng Qi

  • chemotherapy

  • cachexia

  • causes of deceased food intake

  • carbohydrates

  • alterations in nutrient metabolism

  • use of antioxidants

  • supplements

 

Course Resources:

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Cardiovascular Disorders - 320

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course explores cardiovascular disorders. It examines some of the common causes of cardiac problems as well as how these disorders are classified or staged. Information includes risk factors, definitions, and complicating conditions associated with cardiac disorders. It also covers minerals, vitamins, water, and other nutrients that are particularly  of importance. There is also discussion of foods that should be avoided and those that are acceptable considering the nutritional protocol for heart-related conditions. The course also explains the acronym ACT with SPEED and briefly touches on some of the herbal supplements that worth investigating. 

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • nutritional status

  • risk factors

  • breed associations

  • foods to avoid

  • foods that are acceptable

  • cachexia/anorexia

  • vitamin and mineral requirements

  • carnitine

  • fatty acids

  • taurine

  • various other supplements

 

Course Resources:

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Orthopedic Disorders - 321

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This is a two part course that explores orthopedic disorders. Part one examines developmental disease and the disorders that fall under the umbrella of this category. It also looks at risk factors and ways to decrease the likely hood of developmental disorders. This part also explores the importance of certain vitamins and minerals to growing puppies. Part two takes a look at osteoarthritis. This part explores the signs and risk factors of osteoarthritis and how supplements can help ease the discomfort of the disorder.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • hip dysplasia

  • osteochondrosis

  • elbow dysplasia

  • risk factors

  • Calcium : Phosphorus ratio

  • vitamin and mineral requirements

  • osteoarthritis

  • fatty acids

  • glucosamine/chondroitin

  • various other supplements

 

Course Resources:

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Kidney Disorders - 322

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course consists of five parts that explores a variety of kidney disorders. Part one examines chronic kidney disease. It includes a look at the definition of CKD, risk factors, causes, nutrient requirements, and when nutritional management should be initiated, among other information. Part two is an introduction to urolithiasis. It includes definitions, risk factors, and history taking. Part three examines purine urolithiasis and includes information on Dalmatians, as well as risk factors and other recommendations. Part four explores calcium oxalate urolithiasis. This part looks at risk factors, foods to be avoided, goals of nutritional management, as well as additional information. Part five deals with canine struvite urolithiasis. This last part explores predisposing factors, bacterial infections, and nutrient recommendations.

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • nutritional status

  • risk factors

  • breed associations

  • foods to avoid

  • nutrient requirements

  • Various other supplements

  • theory concerning fermentable fiber

  • myths concerning oxalates and struvite uroliths

  • role of phytates

 

Course Resources:

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Endocrine Disorders - 323

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course consists of two parts that explores two of the most common endocrine disorders. Part one examines Diabetes Mellitus. It includes a look at the definition of diabetes, risk factors, causes, nutrient requirements, and nutritional management. Part two explores hypothyroidism. It includes the two primary forms of hypothyroidism as well as other issues that are associated with hypothyroidism. 

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Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • nutritional status

  • risk factors

  • breed associations

  • foods to avoid

  • nutrient requirements

  • various other supplements

  • benefits of fiber

  • IDDM

  • importance of exercise and diabetes

  • feeding schedules

  • Lymphocytic thyroiditis

  • Idiopathic atrophy of the thyroid

 

Course Resources:

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Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Disorders - 324

Instructor: Susan Dillon, Dip.NS., Dip. C.N., Dip.ACBS., Dip.CFNA.

Course Description:

This course consists of four parts that explores a variety of gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. Part one examines exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and acute/chronic pancreatitis. It includes a look at the definition of EPI, risk factors, causes, nutrient requirements, and  nutritional management. Part two is an introduction to hepatobiliary disease. It includes liver functions, goals of nutritional management, and support. Part three examines small intestinal disorders and looks at gastritis, causes of diarrhea, SIBO, gastroenteritis, enteritis, IBD, protein-losing enteropathies and the nutritional management of each. Part four explores large intestinal disorders. This part looks at goals for nutritional support, foods to use for chronic colitis, IBS, fiber, and flatulence. 

 

Students should emerge from this program of study with a detailed understanding of:

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  • risk factors

  • breed associations

  • foods to use and avoid for specific conditions

  • nutrient requirements

  • EPI

  • IBS

  • IBD

  • liver function

  • causes of and dealing with diarrhea

  • gastritis and gastroenteritis

  • PLE

  • SIBO

  • goals of nutritional support

  • causes and dealing with flatulence

 

Course Resources:

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