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Class Date(s)

Summer 2024

Cost

$650 – Campers
$250 – Counselors-In-Training (CIT)
$0 – Counselors

Class Size

14 max per week

Instructor(s)

TBD

Description:

Canine Handler Academy (CHA) is the perfect summer opportunity for your child whether they want to develop skills to train their pet dog or aspire to a career working with dogs. Welcoming participants with all dog training skill levels, CHA instructs campers in scientifically-based dog training techniques. Campers also get a behind the scenes look at how working dogs including police, search and rescue, and even medical detection, are trained.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to be immersed in the working dog industry and learn about canines working in many disciplines including search and rescue, law enforcement, medical detection, and conservation. Your child will also gain additional skills in canine fitness, behavior, and positive reinforcement training.

2024 Schedule:

  • Beginner Session #1: July 8-12, 2024
  • Beginner Session #2: July 15-19, 2024
  • Beginner Session #3: July 22-26, 2024
  • Advanced Session: July 29-August 2, 2024

Eligible Students:

This summer program is for incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders (2024-2025 school year).

Incoming 10th graders who have completed the prerequisites are eligible to apply for a Counselor or Counselor-in-Training position.

Prerequisites:

Early drop-off and late pick-up options are available with pre-registration. Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the Working Dog Center as well as their own lunches. See description for individual session requirements.

Beginner Sessions

  • Introduction to general dog training as well as working dogs and their many different jobs. Learn the fundamentals behind training search and rescue, obedience, and K9 fitness while discovering the benefits of positive reinforcement practices.
  • For incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders (2024-2025 school year)
  • Cost: $650
  • Beginner Session #1: July 8-12, 2024
  • Beginner Session #2: July 15-19, 2024
  • Beginner Session #3: July 22-26, 2024

Advanced Session

  • Full week dedicated to in depth exploration of Search & Rescue Dogs
  • For incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th (2024-2025 school year) who have attended at least one beginner session. The beginner and advanced sessions may occur during the same summer.
  • Attended an advanced session last year? Join us again and be able to expand your skills and take advantage of special opportunities.
  • Cost: $650
  • Advanced Session: July 29-August 2, 2024

Counselors & Counselors-In-Training (CIT)

The learning never stops! Our students do not age out but rather have the opportunity to become counselors. If your child has been with us in previous summers, they may be eligible to apply as a Counselor-In-Training or a Counselor.

  • Must apply and receive notification prior to registering.
    • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Qualifications for Counselor-In-Training
    • Completed at least 1 beginner session
    • Completed at least 1 advanced session
    • Cost: $250
  • Qualifications for Counselor
    • Completed at least one Counselor-In-Training week
    • Incoming 10th grader or older
    • Cost: $0

*Incoming 9th graders may only be CITs for Beginner Sessions
*Incoming 10th graders+ may be CITs for Advanced Sessions

Appy to become a counselor or counselor-in-training…

Scholarships

We offer scholarships to applicants who qualify for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

IMPORTANT: If you are applying for a scholarship please do so first before registering. Do not register until you have received approval. A spot will be held for you while your application is being considered.

Funding for these scholarships is made possible by the K9 RIP Training Fund, founded by the Penn Vet Working Dog Center’s Training Manager, Pat Kaynaroglu, to honor her search and rescue dog RIP.

Apply for a scholarship…

If you have any questions, contact caninehandleracademy@gmail.com

Cancellation Policy:

Review our cancellation policy before completing your registration.

Register

STOP! Do not proceed if you are applying for a scholarship. A spot will be held for your child while your application is being reviewed.

2024 CHA v2 (2023 CHA CLONE)
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EVERY CHILD WELCOME

We value the meaningful engagement of every participant in Canine Handler Academy. While you are under no obligation to disclose a disability, sharing information that will support your child’s success in the program is highly encouraged.

Please know that the information you provide below will be shared with CHA staff on a need to know basis. We may reach out to you to learn more about how to best support your child while they are with us.

(Ex. My child struggles with transitions. At school they post the daily schedule and provide warnings before transitioning to a new activity)
 

SETTING EXPECTATIONS

Canine Handler Academy is a unique opportunity for your child to be immersed in learning about everything that goes into raising and training our nation’s working dogs. While this experience includes daily hands-on interactions with real life working dogs, your child will also spend time participating in activities that, while fun, educational, and essential to the training of a working dog, may not always include a dog. It is important for the success of this program, and for the enjoyment of your child, that both you and your child are aware of and acknowledge that this program is more than walking dogs and petting puppies.

Expectations of your child’s experience
*Completion of a Beginner session is required prior to enrollment in Advanced sessions.

Beginner Session #1 Registration Details

Beginner Session #2 Registration Details

Beginner Session #3 Registration Details

Advanced Session Registration Details

I am aware of the inherent risks involved in the training of puppies and adult working dogs, including but not limited to training for scent detections, patrol work, and fitness. I freely accept and assume all such dangers and risks and the possibility of personal injury, property damage, or loss resulting therefrom. Certain additional dangers and risks are present, such as the potential for injury, illness associated with training, and/or death as a result of participating in activities associated with climbing on and walking near rubble piles or hiding or climbing in buildings. I freely accept and assume all such dangers and risks and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting therefrom.

In consideration of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, (the “Center”), University of Pennsylvania, Capable Canine, and Working Dog Enterprises permitting my participation in activities or tasks at the Center, I hereby agree as follows:

I. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I may have against The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, as owner and operator of the Center, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the Center, all of their trustees, officers, faculty, employees, students, volunteers, and agents, Capable Canine, and Working Dog (all of whom shall hereinafter be referred to as the ”Releasees”)

II. TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY for any loss, damage, injury, or expense that I may suffer or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in any activity or tasks at the Center due to any cause whatsoever, including negligence on the part of any of the Releasees

III. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES for any and all liability for any property damage, loss, or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in the activity or tasks at the Center

IV. THAT this Release of Liability Agreement shall be effective and fully binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, and assigns in the event of my death to the fullest extent permitted by the law

I am at least 18 years of age and have been given ample time to read this agreement. I have read and fully understand this Release of Liability Agreement and am aware that, by agreeing to this Release of Liability Agreement, I am waiving certain legal rights, which I or my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, or assigns may have against the Releasees. I certify that all personal information provided on this Release of Liability Agreement is true.

I, hereby agree to allow the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, University of Pennsylvania, Capable Canine, and Working Dog Enterprises and any of its authorized agents or contractors to record, video and/or photograph my likeness and voice and my dog’s likeness and other characteristics. I understand that any such recording, videotape and/or photograph belongs to University of Pennsylvania and Penn Vet Working Dog Center and that I will not receive any payment or other compensation in connection with such recording, video, or photograph. I also consent to being interviewed and I authorize the use of any information disclosed during such interview in any form or format, now known or hereafter invented.

I hereby give the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Vet Working Dog Center, its employees, agents, successors, assigns, and those acting with its permission or on its behalf, hereinafter referred to as (the “University”), the right and permission, in connection with the photograph(s), audio, and/or video footage (the “Footage”) that were taken of me, and / or my dog(s), the following rights:

to use my photographic, audio, and/or videographic image, voice, likeness, and appearance, in any form or application, as well as the right to use and share any biographical information I provide to the University, and the rights to use and reuse, reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works from, said photographs, audio, and/or videos, in whole or in part, modified or altered, either by themselves or in conjunction with other photographs and/or videos, and in any form of distribution including use of said images to be used for commercial purposes, and for any purposes whatsoever, including, without limitation, all promotional, fundraising and advertising uses, and other trade purposes; and the right to use my name to credit my role as the subject of the photograph, if the University so desires.

I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time, in writing, and that no further recording, video, photographs, or interviews of me and/or my dog(s) will be taken after I revoke this authorization.

However, I understand that such revocation will have no effect on any Footage already taken, which may still be used for the purposes described above.

I understand that the University has no control over, and are not responsible for the taking, use, distribution, publication or broadcast of the Footage or the content of any publication or broadcast containing Footage pursuant to this authorization.

I acknowledge that I will not receive any royalty, fee, or other type of cash payment for the use that the University will make of the Footage. Intending to be legally bound, for myself, and my respective heirs and assigns, I hereby release the University, and waive any and all claims or demands that I may have against any of them for damages or remuneration in connection with the use of my likeness and my dog’s likeness or characteristics in the manner and for the purposes described in this authorization and release.

I have read the foregoing authorization and release and warrant that I fully understand its contents and acknowledge that I am signing it voluntarily.

Sending

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