Pursue your passion to save the lives of dogs and cats
Whether you’re an experienced animal services professional looking to grow your career or new to the field, the partnership between Best Friends and Southern Utah University offers unique learning opportunities in contemporary animal services tailored to fit your needs — from degree programs to professional certifications and credentials.
Prepare to make a lifesaving impact
Our programs provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to save the lives of cats and dogs in your community.
Learn from the experts
Make valuable connections
Gain the skills you need
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Whether you’re an experienced animal services professional looking to grow your career or you’re new to the field, these courses offer unique learning opportunities and can be tailored to fit your specific goals.
Foundational course
To get the most out of your learning experience, we recommend starting with our foundational course, Principles of Contemporary Animal Services.
Principles of Contemporary Animal Services
Micro-credential courses
Participants who complete these courses earn micro-credentials that can be combined to equal three academic credits. Eligible courses include Studies in Contemporary Animal Services, the Dog Lifesaving Course, and the Cat Lifesaving Course.
Studies in Contemporary Animal Services
Dog Lifesaving Course
Cat Lifesaving Course
Specialized courses
If you’re interested in what it takes to run an animal sanctuary, Running a Lifesaving Sanctuary is the course for you.
Running a Lifesaving Sanctuary Certification
Leadership certifications
If you're an existing leader in the field, we offer the Executive Leadership Certification and the Management Leadership Certification.
Executive Leadership Certification
Management Leadership Certification
Master’s degree program
This 30-credit master’s degree can be completed online and covers a wide variety of contemporary animal services topics, from managing people and budgets to fundraising and crisis communications.
Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
Course availability may vary.
What past participants have to say about the programs
"Being part of the ELC helped me build skills and a tool set to approach my work with greater confidence."
“As a leader in animal welfare, I never really had a solid direction until I met the great teams with Best Friends Animal Society and Southern Utah University. Their guidance has shown me structure and passion and dedication, and also has shown me my true potential in helping people and pets in my community.”
“It has been super helpful to see how other organizations do things. Staff morale has improved at my shelter because of what I learned here.”
Learn from the experts in animal services
Ready to up your lifesaving game?
Tell us that you’re interested in one of our programs, and we’ll let you know when the next session opens for enrollment.
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A groundbreaking partnership
Best Friends and Southern Utah University have partnered to create the nation’s first university-endorsed animal services leadership program, led by our team of experts in the field.
