Today I want to update readers about what’s going on with my courses and consultation services at the present time. Those of you who follow my Page on Facebook (here) or are a member of one of my groups, have heard me state, I am taking some space from consulting while I finish my thesis and work on several writing projects. I want to clarify what I mean by “taking some space” – and also update you all on the courses, because I do get a fair bit of email asking me what’s going on.
I started my thesis for Dominion College almost three years ago, but the demands of my job have caused me twice now to put this on hold. The topic is “Herbal Management and Prevention of Canine Cancer; a Systems- based Approach” and my work draws on 15 years working with canine cancer as a nutritionist and herbalist. The usual herbs of commerce people turn to for support , while beneficial! are only a doorway into hundreds more helpful and powerful plants, and I am eager to share my research with dog lovers everywhere. It’s simply impossible to devote the time I need to complete my research while teaching and consulting fulltime – a lot to juggle. My solution this year has been to limit the number of consults I accept – which means that for those who need my help, the waiting list can be substantially longer.
Originally I had planned to cease consulting altogether for at least 6 months, but I can see that it’s not feasible to do so. Every day people contact me who really do require the unique services of someone trained and experienced in BOTH canine nutrition and herbal medicine, and it is impossible for me to say no. To make a long entry shorter – I am accepting new clients, on a limited basis – don’t hesitate to write me if you have a problem. I will do my best to accommodate you, that’s a promise.
As for the courses – they are alive and kickin’! I have three on the go right now, and all are self-paced and online. To recap, because I get asked this a lot, I am offering:
1) The Basics of Canine Nutrition – a detailed foundational course that spans sixteen units, and provides a thorough basis for anyone interested in learning the topic from the ground up. Part One deals with canine anatomy and physiology, nutrients and requirements, and separates the hype and rhetoric, from the science and the facts. Part Two deals with feeding methods – pros and cons of home prepared and commercial diets – and covers special needs of geriatric, pregnancy/lactation and performance dogs. The course requires two texts, is online/self paced, and I am here as support as you go. $600.00, and payment plans are possible
2) Canine Dietary Formulation – a long-awaited course that has been going strong since I introduced it last December. Many doglovers want to know how to formulate diets for their healthy adults – and are concerned about the correct nutrient balance. In this course, I teach you how to understand your dog’s requirements from Vitamin A to zinc, and develop home made recipes that meet them all. The course is a huge success and the low Introductory offer is STILL on – just till I get the e-comm link posted, that is. Online, self-paced, 12 weeks and just 100$ for now. Regular cost will be $200.00, but it’s still a bargain at that!
3) Introduction to Animal Herbalism – another indepth program of study that is suitable for beginners in herbalism, and useful for more advanced students who want to learn more about the unique needs of other species. We are focusing at this time on dogs and cats, with one module on horses; Part One covers foundations of herbal medicine (herbal history, actions and energetics, plant constituents; Part Two covers canine and feline nutrition, common conditions and herbal approaches to management of illness as well as prevention, and Part Three focuses on how to select herbs, make plant medicines, dose appropriately and administer. A very comprehensive overview, with follow-up courses to come in 2016. No texts required, but several recommended. All online and self-paced – $400.00
For more information on the courses, to receive a full Outline, please contact me at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com. Note that you do not receive “certification” of any kind, but I am in process of acquiring credit hours for the herbal course. Accreditation in canine nutrition at this time is related to a veterinary degree, and while I fervently hope this will change, right now you receive a first rate education, but you cannot claim to be “certified” in nutrition after the courses.
I have cleared just a little time to work seriously on my thesis, and I hope to be able to bring that to you by the end of this year.
Drop me a line f you have questions, I’m almost always here. 🙂
I would like to learn so much more about these specific topics . Thank you for your time .
Hi Cat, I am interested in doing the Canine Dietary Formulation Course, can I do this without doing the Basics of Canine Nutrition Course? I currently feed my dogs raw, I buy pet mince from my butcher, the chicken based one has small bones and skin and fat in it, as well as chicken muscle meat, so I mix this with say oily fish (no more than twice a week) and green tripe. The beef based mince includes organ, lamb and beef liver and kidney, so I make this the base for the organ requirement and mix with muscle meat and maybe chicken thighs, fish and green tripe. My two dogs are Jack Russell Terriers, one weighs 8 kilos, the other 6 kilos, so the heavier one gets about 180 grammes a day and the lighter one gets about 150 grammes a day. I do give them raw veg when I am preparing our evening meal as treats, they also get bits of cheese as treats when doing daily training top up. Thank you.
Hi Julie, By all means, you can take just the Formulation course. Sounds like you’ve made a great start, and I’d be happy yo help you finesse the recipe and learn to make others. Drop me a line at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com and we can chat. 🙂
I was interested in taking the course Canine Dietary Formulation that is advertised on your website however when I add it to the cart it comes out at $250 not $100 (or even $200). Am I looking at the wrong course and if so which one should I be looking at?
I currently feed by dogs a homemade cooked diet and am worried about them receiving the full nutrition they require. Do you recommend any books that would help me to determine if I’m lacking anything essential in their diet?
Thank You.
Hi Vivian – those prices are about to change, as I am putting both my nutrition courses on sale. It’s part of a fundraiser I’m doing to help animals in Asia – I’ll be donating 10% to a specific group and one individual. Please watch my blog for updates!
I would say, if you are concerned about balanced nutrition, why not contact me to formulate recipes for your dogs? I love to do proactive work, before there’s a health problem, and my prices for recipes are lower than taking the course, for sure. Just a thought – if you’re interested in either one, please email me at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com. I’ll be happy to help with whatever you need. 🙂
Hi, Cat. Don’t mean to trouble you during holiday time with your thesis and all. I’m having trouble with my 5 month old Golden male, putting on and maintaining weight due to chronic diarrhea. (As long as he’s on antibiotic, he’s fine. By day 3 of no antibiotic he is having problems…Neg for giardia, been wormed with Panacur. This has been going on since 10/19/2015). While I understand good commercial dogfoods, I have never used raw, nor am I a chef by any means. I’m interested in taking your Dietary Formulation Class, however, it may take me too long to learn, as he needs something corrective now. Can cooking for them (I have two Goldens…also a 2 year old spayed bitch) be done on a budget? Would you be able to email me if you get a chance?
Hi Karen,
I think it might be best to discuss this via email – you can use the Contact link on the site, or just email me at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com – it’s very important to supply nutrients to growing dogs at the level they require, so a home cooked diet can be a wonderful option but it needs to be carefully formulated.Your pup’s issues complicate matters, too – I’d be happy to get you booked and work with you, but it is an investment in both financial terms and with regard to time. The flipside is, you should be able to save money spent at the vet(depending on what the problem turns out to be) and you do have full control over what your puppy is eating.
Give me a buzz at my business address and I’ll get back to you asap. There’s lots you can do.
Cat 🙂