New Distance Course
In Companion Animal Behavior And Welfare
by Sherry Morse
Scotland's Edinburgh University has announced
a new distance learning course for people who want to gain
a better understanding of their furry or feathered family
members.
The course, officially called the Distance
Learning Package in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare,
comes on a CD-Rom which will sell for 80 pounds sterling.
The CD-Rom provides information on the fundamentals
of animal behavior, how environment affects behavior, advice
on dealing with 'problem' behaviors, and information on animal
welfare and training tips.
According to Dr. Shirley Seaman, who developed
the course along with experts from the Animal Behaviour and
Welfare Group at the University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary
Studies, the CD will include sections on dogs, cats, horses,
small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs, and exotics such
as parrots and iguanas.
Dr. Seaman said, "Many people own pets, yet
few owners understand much about why their pet behaves the
way it does. This course will help explain the fundamentals
of animal behavior, how the behavior of companion animals
is affected by the environment in which they are kept and
how this can lead to the development of behavioral problems."
The CD will also include a discussion of the
role of companion animal behavior counselors.
People who are interested in taking the course
do not need prior qualifications and will gain a completion
certificate by writing essays that they will submit for grading.
The course is designed for students to work
at their own pace and chart their progress using self-assessments
in addition to the essay work.
More information is available from the Edinburgh
University Web site at: http://www.vet.ed.ac.uk/animalbehaviour/ecourse/.
© 2004 Animal News Center, Inc.
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