Free Animal Care Course
Animal Care and Handling
Read animal behavior and recognize daily care needs in this free animal care course. Join to learn humane handling and clear recordkeeping, so you can pass useful observations to colleagues and seek veterinary help when needed.
About this course
In this free animal care course, you learn to notice changes in an animal's behavior and daily needs before deciding what to report. Lessons on body language and humane handling explain why restraint should be appropriate to the animal and situation. You study routine care for different species, connecting food, housing, and enrichment with the observations an assistant needs to record.
Animal care assistant training also covers sanitation, workplace precautions, and communicating with clients and colleagues. You learn how intake records and handoffs help a facility maintain consistent care. Emergency-awareness topics emphasize recognizing concerns and involving a veterinarian rather than attempting care beyond your role. Professional-ethics lessons help you distinguish routine care duties from work that needs veterinary supervision. This beginner online course supports further learning, not veterinary licensure or independent medical treatment.
Course outline
The Animal Care Assistant: Role, Settings, and Responsibilities
Obtain information on responsibilities of an animal care assistant, work environment, responsibilities in the workplace, key organizations in the USA (AVMA, USDA), scope of practice, necessary credentials
Safe and Humane Animal Handling and Restraint
Study principles of low stress handling, canine and feline body language, restraining, handling small animals, use of leashes and muzzles, improper handling of animals.
Foundations of Animal Health and Nutrition
Study the basics of animal anatomy, normal animal, vitals, nutrition and diets for dogs and cats, labeling, special diets, body condition score, enrichment program, vaccines, and parasite prevention.
Sanitation, Workplace Safety, and Disease Control
Study basics of maintaining kennels, disposing of waste, personal protection equipment, zoonoses, cross-contamination, OSHA, chemical management, isolation, sanitation, bite and exposure response.
Caring for Dogs, Cats, and Other Common Species
Study basics of caring for animals which include dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, and reptiles, grooming, caging, enrichment, breed and age specific care, introduction of new animals.
Facility Operations, Recordkeeping, and Client Communication
Study basics of facility management, inventory management, record keeping, scheduling, communication, problem solving, intake and discharge process, adoption, teamwork, confidentiality, and computer literacy.
Emergency Response and Basic First Aid for Animals
Emergency Care for Animals, First Aid, CPR, Handling Injuries, Heatstroke, Poisoning, Transporting, Disaster Preparedness, Veterinary Referral, and Reporting Incidents
Professional Ethics, Standards, and Career Growth
Animal Welfare, Professionalism, Liability, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Compassion Fatigue, Certifications, Career Path, Resumé, Interviews, and Job One.
Get access to the complete curriculum once you enroll in the course
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this free animal care course introduce body language?
What will I learn about restraint in this free animal handling course?
Does this animal care training cover species beyond dogs and cats?
Which feeding and health observations are included in the course?
How is sanitation taught in the animal facility course?
Will I learn how records support animal care handoffs?
What emergency awareness is included in animal care assistant training?
How does the course address communication with pet owners?
How does the animal care course explain professional boundaries?
What workplace preparation is included in the animal care training?
