Youth Pet Sitting Course
Do you have teens at home who would love to work with animals?
The OHS Youth Pet Sitting program is designed for youth ages 14 to 18 who are interested in working with animals. Participants who successfully complete the program will have all the knowledge and resources they need to open their own pet sitting business!
Upcoming Program Dates (Youth must be able to attend all four classes):
- Saturday, May 25 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 1 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 8 (3 to 7 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 15 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Age Requirement: Youth ages 14 to 18
Cost: $285
Program Hours: Classes are four hours long, and start times vary. Please check your session’s schedule before booking. The Youth Pet Sitting program takes place over four weeks.
Sessions will cover a variety of topics:
Week 1 – Foundational Knowledge
- Introduction to the OHS
- What is pet sitting?
- The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare
- Responsible pet ownership
- How to use positive reinforcement in animal training
- Understanding animal body language
Week 2 – Caring for Animals
- Feeding different species and breeds
- Nail clipping, teeth brushing and grooming practice
- Creating animal enrichment games
- Small animal care and handling
- Cat handling and transportation practice
- Dog handling and harnessing practice
Week 3 – Staying Safe
- Understanding zoonotic diseases
- How to identify and prevent illness and disease
- Administering medications
- Handling pet emergencies
- How to look for a lost animal
- Animal neglect and cruelty
- Basic pet first aid workshop
- Build your own pet first aid kit for home
Week 4 – Building a Business
- Client and pet sitter responsibilities
- Steps to onboarding new clients
- How to communicate with clients
- Handling client concerns
- Keeping keys safe
- Design your own flyer or business card
- Final quiz
This course is the perfect opportunity for youth planning to open their own pet sitting or dog walking business and is a great addition to a resume. Participants who complete the program will receive an OHS Youth Pet Sitting workbook, a pet emergency kit, carabiners for dog walking, client handouts, a self-made custom flyer or business card electronic file, and a document of completion.
Upcoming Program Dates (Youth must be able to attend all four classes):
- Saturday, May 25 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 1 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 8 (3 to 7 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 15 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
To be placed on an interest list for OHS Youth Programs that are not currently open for registration, select the “Interest List” button below. Select the calendar date (Dec. 31, 2024) and time (11:59 p.m.) and select “Book Now”.
Youth Pet Sitting Course – Cancellation & Refund Policy
Refund requests received 7 days in advance of the scheduled program are eligible for a refund of $230 (a $55 non-refundable administration fee applies). Refund requests received within 7 days of the scheduled program are not eligible for a refund. Refunds will not be granted for youth who do not complete the final test or are unable to attend every night of programming.
Full refunds will be issued in the event the OHS has to cancel a scheduled program.
For more information or to be added to an interest list, email programs@ottawahumane.ca or call 613-725-3166 ext. 298