Animal Care Specialist (ASD)
Type: Career, Degree (AAS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: STEM and Business
The Animal Care Specialist program is designed for students wishing to work with dogs, cats and other small animals in various aspects. The first year is identical for all of the Animal Care Programs.
Graduates of the ASD degree program could seek employment in various fields such as: Animal Control, Shelter and Rescue, Animal Day Care and Boarding, Kennel Management, Dog Walking, Training, Grooming, Retail, and other professional occupations related to the management and care of pets.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| ANS102 | Canine & Feline Behavior | 3 |
| ANS104 | Breed ID | 2 |
| ANS107 | Medical Terminology for Animal Science 1 | 1 |
| ANS122 | Fundamentals of Grooming | 1 |
| BIO101 | Biology 1: The Basics of Life | 4 |
| MGT102 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
| ACC101 | Basic Accounting 1 | 3 |
| ANS110 | Canine and Feline Nutrition | 2 |
| ANS112 | Ethics and Law for Pet Care Professionals | 2 |
| ANS116 | Fundamentals of Animal Health | 3 |
| ANS120 | Canine Training | 2 |
| ANS142 | Animal Facilities Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Year
Fall
| ANS124 | Herpetology for Pet Care Professionals | 2 |
| ANS126 | Introduction to Small Mammals in the Laboratory and Home | 3 |
| BUS101 | Math for Business and Finance | 3 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| CPS100 | Information Technology and Its Applications | 3 |
| OPN-ELECTIVE | Open Elective | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| ANS128 | Avian Science for Pet Care Professionals | 3 |
| ANS140 | Merchandising in the Animal Care Industry | 3 |
| BUS102 | Business Law | 3 |
| CMP102-150 | Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| LA-ELECTIVE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Requirement Notes
CPS100: May be fulfilled by challenge exam and 3 liberal arts elective credits.
Program Notes
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Recognize the basic elements of animal care for companion pets, such as handling, management, and nutrition.
- 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.
- Compare the proper care, housing and nutrition for birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
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 about an animal’s physical condition
- 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
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