Have any of you taken a course through the Animal Care College? It's just that I have seen a discussion on another board about their Judging courses and wondered if their courses in general were any good. The prices seem quite expensive, £300.

Hi Naomi

I took the Dog Breeding Certificate course with the Animal Care College some years ago & I consider it money well spent - I learnt a tremendous amount although it was hard work! The tutors on their team are v good & include Dr Malcolm Willis & his wife Helen Davenport as well as several other well known "doggy" people. I don't consider the price to be expensive - I did a computer course not long ago & that was £150 just for a day so £300 seems quite reasonable for a course that takes up to a year to complete :-) You will need to budget for books on top of the course price as there is quite an extensive reading list (though you can borrow some of the books from libraries).

Good luck if you decide to go for the course!

Jane

I also did the Dog Breeding Certificate and Understanding the Canine Human Interface with the Animal Care College/Canine Studies Institute 10 and nearly 9 years ago now and learnt a lot from them. Well worth doing.

Christine

Edit: I could not remember the name of the lady who was my tutor for the Dog breeding certificate but a post in another section has reminded me of her affix - Saxonsprings - I keep thinking of Jean ???

I have taken a course at an Animal Care College, and am doing another one right now! I lam loving very minute :)

Hi Christine

My tutor for the DBC was the late Jean Blyth (Saxonsprings) too - a very knowledgable lady. I guess we must have been doing the course at about the same time - I did it about 10 years ago too

Jane

Are the courses taken by post or at collage or some of both?

Hi Jackie

When I did my course, it was purely by post - not sure if it's still the same now

Jane

That lady sadly died a while ago, she bred famous line of Lhasa Apsos!
The affix is now Mr Woosnams, who I beleive handled for her.

Just a thought here folks....
The government are currently offering to pay towards college fees, all you pay is £25. I was sent some information (sadly lost at this moment) I think the rules are you apply for the course then fill in the government pink form and it goes from there. As it is available for any college course from writing stories to something more major, I would expect it covers the courses you are talking about, as they are home study courses.

Is this the same as the Individual Learning Account?

Anyone over the age of 19 is entitled to a contributin of £150 towards lots of educational courses, including I believe courses accredited with the OpenCollege Network which I believe incliudes the ACC.

You need to open an individual learning accoutn by calling 0800 072 5678, or visit www.my-ila.com.

I have done the Canine Human Interface wiht the ACC and learnt loads, I foundit good because, although it is distant learning, you have to go out there and get your own answers to dog training problems, so you are doing practical stuff too.

I have switched to COAPE for my next course, but that is only because I wanted one particular tutor.

To sum up, I would recommend the ACC, very good.

Lindsay

yes thats it! Knew someone would know the name of it, I was sent a course about writing, which was for £200 I was told if I opened a learning account I would only have to pay £25. However a friend has been told that she is a pensioner she cannot apply, is this right?

HI Polly
Sorry I don't know the answer to that, perhpas they will have the terms and conditions on their website?

I haven't actually looked at it yet, i'm just about to, to get some help with my COAPE course.

Lindsay