COAPE - Centre of Applied Pet Ethology

Career Path Plan for those with little or no experience with animals seeking a career in Companion Animal Behaviour

STEP 1: One of the COAPE Qualifying Entry Courses
To qualify for entry onto the Advanced Diploma (STEP 3 below), you must have passed any one of the COAPE Correspondence Courses, C01 to C07, VN02 and FAB12, or show evidence of learning to an approved equivalent standard or beyond. Depending on your particular area of interest - dogs, cats, or perhaps both - you can choose a course to suit you. If you are not a veterinary nurse then for a broad introduction, C07 An Introduction to Animal Behaviour, is probably the one for you.

STEP 2: DipCABT - COAPE Diploma in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training, STAGE 1
Along with the DipCABT (Honours), STEP 3 below, this is the professional dedicated qualification for anyone seeking to become a pet behaviour therapist! By passing the COAPE Diploma, you automatically become an Affiliate member of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT, see www.capbt.org) with access to our busy members forum and many other essential resources for you to use.

STEP 3: DipCABT(Hons) - COAPE Diploma (Honours) in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training, STAGE 2
Stage 2 is the COAPE Advanced Diploma (Honours). This new Honours component is only available to successful students from Stage 1 and provides further opportunity for study and practical career development. The DipCABT(Hons) opens the door to becoming a CAPBT Behaviour Practitioner, STEP 4 below, which is the way to go for those wanting to become recognised full-time behaviourists.

STEP 4: CAPBT Behaviour Practitioner
DipCABT(Hons) graduates can enter the CAPBT Practitioner Training Programme. This is an internally moderated process of practical training and assessment, designed to cater for students at all levels of experience. Practitioners enjoy many additional benefits of access to specific practice and promotional materials designed to help them set up and succeed in independent referral practice.

STEP 5: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
It is important in any professional vocation to keep up to date with new innervations in your field and develop your skills as a competent practitioner. The COAPE Post-Diploma specialisation & skills development courses are specifically designed to meet these needs in the ever more challenging pet behaviour business.

Career Path Plan for those already working with animals (e.g. veterinary nurses, veterinarians, pet behaviourists and trainers, animal welfare professionals) who want to study for a recognised qualification in Companion Animal Behaviour or further their understanding and education

STEP 1: One of the COAPE Qualifying Entry Courses
To qualify for entry onto the Advanced Diploma (STEP 2 below), you must have passed any one of the COAPE Correspondence Courses, C01 to C07, VN02 and FAB12, or show evidence of learning to an approved equivalent standard or beyond. Depending on your particular area of interest - dogs, cats, or perhaps both - you can choose a course to suit you. If you are not sure, or perhaps want as broad a course as possible, then C07, An Introduction to Animal Behaviour, is the one for you.

ADVANCED CERTIFICATE COURSE
for anyone who wishes to study the science of animal psychology and behaviour

THINK ETHOLOGY (CA01) ...zooming in on the study and science of animal behaviour!
A course for behaviourists, vets, vet nurses and trainers wanting to understand how to study the science of animal behaviour.

OUT-THINK PSYCHOLOGY (C02) ...getting to grips with how behaviour really works!
A course in companion animal psychology for behaviourists, vets, vet nurses, trainers and owners wanting to cut through the mystery of psychology and discover the true origins of behaviour.

STUDY CAT (C08) ...exploring feline psychology and the inner workings of the cat's mind.
A course in feline behavioural psychology for owners, vets, vet nurses and other professionals who want to develop their knowledge and skills of interpretation of the behaviour of the enigmatic cat.

STUDY DOG (C09) ...exploring canine psychology and the inner workings of the dog's mind.
A course in canine behavioural psychology for owners, vets, vet nurses and other professionals who want to develop their skills of interpretation of the behaviour of 'man's best friend'.

INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATE COURSES
for anyone who wishes to learn more about companion animal behaviour, behaviour therapy, dog training and wild animal behaviour

DOGWISE STAGE 1 (C01) ...becoming a better dog trainer by engaging the mind of the dog!
A course for dog trainers, vet nurses and owners who want to know more about how dogs think. This will help you run exceptional puppy and dog training classes.

DOGWISE STAGE 2 (C02) ...exploring canine psychology and the inner workings of the dog's mind.
A course in canine behavioural psychology for owners, vets, vet nurses and other professionals who want to develop their skills of interpretation of the behaviour of 'man's best friend'.

THINK CAT STAGE 1 (C03) ...homing in on the highly specialised yet enigmatic nature of the pet cat!
A course for owners, vet nurses and other professionals who want to understand more about feline predatory and social behaviour, and the fascinating relationship between cats and their owners.

THINK CAT STAGE 2 (C04) ...exploring feline psychology and the inner workings of the cat's mind.
A course in feline behavioural psychology for owners, vets, vet nurses and other professionals who want to develop their knowledge and skills of interpretation of the behaviour of the enigmatic cat.

AFRICAN WILD DOG BEHAVIOUR (C05)
A course in the behaviour, ecology and conservation of the African Wild Dog, focusing on the southern African metapopulation project.

WOLF BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY (C06)
An Advanced Award in wolf behaviour and ecology, and his relationship with man.

CDP AN INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (C07)
An Advanced Award with specially selected units from courses C01 to C06 and marked by each of the respective tutors... Animal Behaviour a La Carte!

ADVANCED AWARD IN CANINE FRIENDLY NURSING (VN02)
An Advanced Award for veterinary nurses written and tutored by the veterinary and behaviours experts from COAPE.

ADVANCED AWARD IN FELINE FRIENDLY NURSING (FAB12)
An Advanced Award for veterinary nurses written and tutored by leading experts from the Feline Advisory Bureau / International Society for Feline Medicine and Surgery and COAPE.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES
for pet owners and students wishing to learn more about companion animal behaviour in your own dogs, cats or horses and those of others

YOU AND YOUR CAT (AB01)
A course to help you understand the true nature of your cat. Explore your relationship with this serene yet mischievous, and cuddle-loving yet supremely designed top-of-the-food chain predator!

YOU AND YOUR RESCUE CAT (AB02)
A course for anyone who is thinking of adopting a new bundle of feline fun from a rescue shelter, or who already has one and wants to understand and cater better for their ‘rescue’ cat or kitten’s needs in their new start in life.

YOU AND YOUR DOG (AB03)
A course to help you understand the true nature of your dog and benefit all the more from sharing your life with him. Explore your relationship with this devoted yet mischievous, affection-loving yet highly specialised carnivore whose behaviour and design has been honed by becoming our ‘best friend’ and working companion.

YOU AND YOUR RESCUE DOG (AB04)
A course for anyone who is thinking of adopting a new canine ‘best friend’ from a rescue shelter, or who already has one and wants to understand and cater better for their ‘rescue’ dog or puppy’s needs giving them a better start in life.

YOU AND YOUR HORSE (AB05)
A course for anyone who is starting to ride or thinking of acquiring their first horse or foal.

The 'You and Your' foundation courses are an ideal starting point for new pet owners, or seasoned owners, wanting to learn more about your pet, how he thinks and why he does what he does.

APPLIED PROFESSIONAL COURSE
for anyone who wishes to acquire 'hands-on' skills in the field of rescue dogs

CANINE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION (CD06)
An Intermediate Award in canine rescue and rehabilitation consisting of a correspondence component and a practical component held at Wood Green Animal Shelter, CAMBS.