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Main : Course Catalog : Pet Food Fundamentals |
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TECH133-0608: Pet Food Fundamentals
INSTRUCTOR:
Geneva Keene Acor, DVM, MS
DATES:
June 2-June 23, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Friday evenings, June 6 and 13, 2008; 9:30pm-11:00pm ET (USA)
It is imperative that participants review the basics of nutrient components listed in the course area library PRIOR TO the first real time session; participants must have this basic knowledge to actively participate in this course. There are only two real time sessions as listed above.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Pet owners will come with information from the Internet, newsletters, advertisements, and advice from a variety of sources. How do you evaluate this information based on science to make a valid recommendation? This course is a "macro" version of nutrition that includes understanding the manufacture and marketing of pet foods including feeding trials, palatability testing, significance of label requirements, the "boutique" foods, natural, organic, holistic, and premium designations, and marketing versus science in pet food product claims.
Dr. Geneva Acor has been a long time educator and lecturer on all aspects of veterinary medicine. She created this course for VSPN to enable those working in small animal practice to understand and impart the knowledge of what goes into creating and manufacturing pet food to clientele and coworkers. This course will teach participants to learn how to look deeper than the packaging to find the real value of the pet food. The course includes two (2) 90-minute real time interactive sessions, course specific message boards and library, and transcripts of the real time sessions. It is directed to veterinary technicians and practice nutritional counselors. This course will not cover the basics of nutrient components; participants should already have a good understanding of protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, etc. and how they relate to nutrition.
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Prior to Week 1: Review of Basic Nutrition:
If you have not had basic nutrition, you may want to review the six basic nutrients prior to the class and the concept of nutrients versus ingredients. Several Internet sites will be provided for this review or you may review in the recommended textbooks. These links will be available in the course area library on the date the course opens.
Week 1: Pet Food Manufacturers and Processes
Content: The focus of the first week is to identify the major pet food manufacturers, the manufacturing process, and the relevance of the pet food label information. Criteria for types of food based on moisture content will be provided. Also, specific criteria for palatability tests and feeding trials will be discussed.
Week 2: Marketing Versus Science
Content: In the second week, we will discuss the evidence based triangle and how this may serve to validate pet food product claims. This will include defining terms such as natural, organic, holistic, and premium. Participants will research pet food claims on packages, in advertising, and/or on Internet sites and bring the information to class for discussion of marketing versus science in claims.
LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion. Due to the amount of material to be covered, it is highly recommended the student comes to class having reviewed the handouts for that week, reviewed the previous week's homework and study guide, utilized the message boards for the course, and is prepared to interact during the real time session.
MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.
CE HOURS: 4
TUITION:
Registration: $78 ($ 70 early bird special if registered before May 19, 2008). There are a limited number of spaces in this course so enroll early.
Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status)
*VT students: You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.
** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET on September 8, 2006 whichever comes first.
** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm
** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE
TO REGISTER:
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
VSPN CE Services
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