Module 1:

What Is a Triage Practitioner?

This module introduces the identity, purpose, and scope of the Canine Triage Practitioner. You will learn what triage truly means in the canine world, how it fills the gaps between disciplines, and why this role is essential for reducing suffering, preventing unnecessary referrals, and supporting guardians who feel lost or overwhelmed. You will explore the ethics, boundaries, and responsibilities of triage work, and begin to understand the stabilisation‑first approach that underpins the entire programme.

Module 2: Advanced Observation Skills

Observation is the foundation of triage. In this module, you will learn how to see beyond the obvious and recognise the subtle indicators of discomfort, stress, pain, emotional strain, and environmental influence. You will develop the ability to observe without bias, interpret without assumption, and gather information that reveals the dog’s internal state with clarity and compassion.

Module 3: Advanced Canine Communication

Here you deepen your understanding of canine body language, emotional expression, and communication patterns. You will learn to read micro‑signals, transitional behaviours, displacement, coping strategies, and the nuanced ways dogs express both physical and emotional needs. This module teaches you to listen to the dog with your eyes, your intuition, and your knowledge.

Module 4: Seeing What the Dog Wants You to See

This module teaches you how to step back and let the dog lead. Through zoopharmacognosy, botanical self‑selection, and ACE Freework, you will learn how to create opportunities for the dog to show you what supports them, what soothes them, and what they are drawn toward. Instead of assuming, interpreting, or directing, you learn to offer choice, observe responses, and recognise the dog’s own attempts to regulate their body and nervous system.

Module 5: Understanding Behaviour in Multidisciplinary Work

In this module, you will learn how to understand behaviour. We begin by exploring the difference between normal canine behaviours that humans often misinterpret, and maladaptive behaviours that signal unmet needs, discomfort, pain, trauma, or environmental mismatch. You will learn what to expect at different life stages, from puppies to adolescents to seniors, and how developmental phases shape behaviour, coping capacity, and emotional expression.

We then explore the most common behaviour issues seen in modern dogs, examining their underlying causes rather than their surface presentation. This module also teaches you how to begin stabilising cases through simple, effective management strategies that reduce overwhelm, prevent escalation, and create the conditions for healing.

Module 6: Assessing Gut Health and Its Impact on the Whole Dog

The gut influences behaviour, emotion, immunity, movement, and overall wellbeing. This module teaches you canine anatomy and how to recognise signs of gut imbalance, understand the gut–brain axis, and identify when digestive issues may be contributing to behavioural or emotional struggles. You will learn how to support guardians in seeking appropriate help and making changes that stabilise the dog from the inside out.

Module 7: Understanding Canine Movement and Its Influence on Behaviour

In this module, you will learn how to recognise gait abnormalities, compensations, asymmetries, and subtle signs of discomfort that often present as behavioural issues. You will explore how pain, tension, and poor movement patterns affect emotional regulation, reactivity, sleep, and coping capacity. This module gives you the skills to identify when a dog needs physiotherapy, myotherapy, or veterinary assessment.

Module 8: Common Health Issues — Allopathic and Holistic Perspectives

This module gives you a broad understanding of common health conditions that influence behaviour and wellbeing. You will explore both allopathic and holistic perspectives, learning how different modalities approach chronic issues, pain, inflammation, and systemic imbalance. You will not diagnose, but you will learn to recognise red flags, understand pathways, and guide guardians toward the right professional support.

Module 9: Understanding Trauma and Grief — In Dogs and Humans

Trauma and grief shape behaviour, coping capacity, and emotional expression. This module explores trauma in dogs, trauma in guardians, and the relational impact between them. You will learn how to support families through difficult periods, recognise trauma responses, and create a safe, steady environment for healing. You will also explore compassion fatigue and emotional resilience in your own practice.

Module 10: Taking a Consult, Supporting Clients, and Building Your Multidisciplinary Team

In the final module, you bring everything together. You will learn how to take a full triage consult, structure your sessions, communicate clearly, and support guardians with empathy and confidence. You will explore how to build your multidisciplinary network, collaborate effectively, and create a practice that is sustainable, ethical, and grounded in whole‑dog understanding.