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Animal Care Specialist Certificate (ASC)

2020-2021

Type: Career, Certificate (C2)

Special admissions requirement

Division: STEM and Education


The Animal Care Specialist program is designed for students wishing to work with dogs, cats and other small animals. The certificate program may be sufficient for other employment opportunities in such fields as: Day Care and Boarding, Kennel Management, Dog walking, Training, and Retail.  Students who wish to operate, manage, or own an Animal Care Business or wish to pursue careers in Animal Control, Shelter and Rescue, or Professional Grooming are strongly encouraged to apply to the Associate Degree program.

f you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.

If you have program advising related questions, please contact animalcare@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4048.



First Year

Fall

ANS102Canine & Feline Behavior

3
ANS104Breed ID

2
ANS107Medical Terminology for Animal Science 1

1
ANS122Fundamentals of Grooming

1
BIO101Biology 1:The Basics of Life

4
MGT102Principles of Management

3
Total Credit Hours:14

Spring

ACC101Basic Accounting 1

3
ANS110Canine and Feline Nutrition

2
ANS112Ethics and Law for Pet Care Professionals

2
ANS116Fundamentals of Animal Health

3
ANS120Canine Training

2
ANS142Animal Facilities Management

3
Total Credit Hours:15
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.

Total Credit Hours: 29


Program Student Learner Outcomes
  • Observe and interpret canine and feline body language communication to improve overall health during care.
  • Identify legal and ethical issues that impact companion pets.
  • Describe the basic methods utilized in canine training.
  • Explain the benefits of vaccine protocol and preventative treatment methods in animal health.
Occupational Skills required
  • Lift up to 50 pounds to get dogs onto grooming tables and into tubs
  • Stoop to clean cages
  • Crouch to safely move animals in and out of cages
  • Handle sharp tools, scissors, electric clippers, heavy dryers, cages and strong, sometimes aggressive dogs and cats 5½feet above the floor to move animals in upper
  • Reach level cages
  • Grasp electric clippers, some grooming tools, leashes,
  • Administer other animal restraints for strong, sometimes frightened or aggressive dogs and cats
  • Stand for prolonged periods of time while performing grooming tasks, bathing, training and exercising animals
  • Feel growths on skin, mats in coat, soap and water in coat
  • Manipulate large and sometimes uncooperative dogs and cats
  • Hear barking, whining, hissing and other sounds of distressed dogs and cats
  • See membrane colors, facial expressions of dogs and cats
  • Talk to communicate in English, welfare and health issues to clients and co-workers
  • Read typed, handwritten, computer information in English Precautions and instructions of products used in animal care Guidelines and instructions for animal’s care
  • Write to communicate in English pertinent information
  • Function safely, effectively, and calmly under stressful and loud conditions
  • Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Prioritize multiple tasks Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with clients and co workers of the same or different cultures; such as respect, politeness, teamwork and tact
  • Display attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the animal care profession


MOST COMMON LINKED OCCUPATION TITLE - Associate's or Less
  • Animal Care Taker

Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)

Boston MSA – 13%
Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $21,800










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