Pursue your passion to save the lives of dogs and cats
With our courses offered in partnership with Southern Utah University, you can transform your passion for helping dogs and cats into professional growth.
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
Courses are carefully curated by experts in the field who have worked hands-on in animal services.
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Make valuable connections
The course structure encourages you to grow your lifesaving network through collaboration.
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Gain the skills you need
Our first-of-its-kind programs give you the specific information you need to save the lives of pets.
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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 courses
To get the most out of your learning experience, we recommend taking our foundational courses in this order:
Principles of Contemporary Animal Services
Learn about the history of animal services in the United States and develop a better understanding of the data, policies and practices in the field today.
Studies in Contemporary Animal Services
Take a deep dive into the field of animal services and learn from experts in the field of animal services about career pathways, programs that support lifesaving, and supporting change.
Dog Lifesaving Course
Explore proven ways to save the lives of dogs in animal shelters through adoption, dog behavior and well-being, foster programs, canine handling, shelter medicine, and much more.
Cat Lifesaving Course
Learn the strategies, programs and actions that have proven most successful in saving the lives of kittens and cats.
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
Gain knowledge, resources, and insights to aid you in starting your own successful organization. You'll learn about starting a non-profit, strategic planning, fundraising, and more!
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
Develop connections and community with fellow animal services leaders, and learn about the programs, practices and principles critical to saving cats and dogs in shelters.
Management Leadership Certification
In this program, you’ll focus on aligning your efforts with the needs of your community to save more cats and dogs.
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
Pursue your passion for helping animals by earning an advanced degree (30-credit master’s degree) tailored to your professional interests.
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."
Carolyn Evans
Executive Leadership Certification Graduate
Executive Director at Cincinnati Animal CARE Humane Society
“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.”
Spencer Conover
Master of Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate
Assistant Director, Pasco County Animal Services
“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.”
Randi Leigh Ashley
Management Leadership Certification Graduate
Adoption Supervisor, Anderson County PAWS
Learn from the experts in animal services
Our facilitators have years of combined experience saving the lives of cats and dogs. They bring their wealth of industry insights and connections to each program.
Not sure which path is right for you? Fill out our program interest form to be connected directly with a learning advancement team member.
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.
