This course includes all the requirements for the AGR1040: Animal Basics CTS course as outlined in Alberta Education’s Program of Studies. Anyone may take this course for their own interest; if you’re a high school student seeking credits toward graduation, you need to register with your school and have a teacher sign up for access to your work.
In this course, you will explore the overarching question: What is an acceptable level of care for domestic animals?
Course Goals
In this Animal Basics course for AGR1040: Animal Basics, you will:
- Identify and demonstrate the basic steps involved in raising and caring for a domestic animal.
- Understand the general care required to ensure an animal’s health.
Animal Basics generally takes between 17 and 25 hours to complete, although that time may vary, depending on your learning needs and preferences.
Sign Up For This Course
This course consists of six sections:
Section 1: Introduction (approx. 1 – 2 hours)
Students reflect on their prior experiences and attitudes with and toward animals and their care. The focus of learning in the introduction is on the following:
- Prior knowledge and experiences with animals and environments
- Examples of domestic animals and their environments
- Differences in care required between different domestic animals, including farm and companion animals
Section 2: Responsible Animal Care (approx. 4 – 5 hours)
Students research the basic physical care requirements of a domestic animal. The focus of learning for this guiding concept is on the following:
- Characteristics of one of five domestic animals: beef cattle, sheep, dogs, cats or horses
- Basic physical needs, including water, light, climate and temperature, air/ ventilation, space, nutrients.
Section 3: Animal Health (approx. 9 – 10 hours)
Students explore and assess conditions that are necessary to ensure and protect animal welfare. The focus of learning for this guiding concept is on the following:
- Legislation that protects animal welfare
- Strategies for recognizing “normal” health and monitoring well being
- Potential diseases, deficiencies and ailments and strategies to deal with them
- Conditions, buildings and structures that are appropriate to caring for domestic animals
Section 4: Humane Animal Handling Skills (approx. 3 hours)
Students explore the skills that are necessary for safe and humane interaction with domestic animals. The focus of learning for this guiding concept is on the following:
- Humane and safe methods of approaching, moving, handling, restraining and transporting an animal
- How risks can be managed
- Responsible animal breeding practices
Section 5: Standards of Care (approx. 2 hours)
Students explore some issues associated with animal welfare and care. The focus of learning for this guiding concept is on the following:
- Impact of responsible animal care on the broader community, including zoonotic diseases and methods of identification
Section 6: Final Project (approx. 3 hours)
Students explore the skills that are necessary for safe and humane interaction with domestic animals. The focus of learning for this guiding concept is on the following:
- Humane and safe methods of approaching, moving, handling, restraining and transporting an animal
- How risks can be managed
- Responsible animal breeding practices