TAACO Full Academy (TFA)

160 HRS/$4,250

The TAACO FULL ACADEMY (TFA) is the flagship course for the facility. This 4 week, (160 hour) complete Humane Law Enforcement training course is structured like a combination police academy and vocational school. The TFA has all the basic ACO, Shelter/Kennel and Vet Tech training, but emphasizes the importance professionalism, ethics, discipline and general law enforcement training.
FOR MORE INFO view a Printable TFA Flyer.

As a part of the Blinn College Workforce Education Program, the TFA or VAC course students will receive Continuing Education credit from Blinn College upon successful completion of the course.

Veterinarian Assistant (VAC)

24 HRS

The VAC is an intense 24 Hr. (3 day) study into animal care, health, nutrition, and veterinary medicine. Familiarization with the equipment, tools and devices used in the field is taught. Recognition of the most common diseases and their treatments are covered in-depth. Anatomy of small and large animals is covered in-depth. Familiarization of Canine and Feline breeds, and markings are covered. The pharmacology of the drugs used to generally treat the most common diseases found in a kennel/shelter environment is taught. Zoonosis, parasitology, and an array of other subjects are covered in the intense animal care training course. Radiology, orthopedics, dentistry, spay/neuter and surgery procedures and wound care are also covered.

The VAC course is now included in the TFA!

ACO Level 1/3 (SPECIAL)

32 HRS/$400

The ACO Level 1-3 is a unique course structured for the "Beginner" WORKING ACO/ACT. It Includes the NEW DSHS "BASIC" CERTIFICATION (16 HRS), Professionalism & Ethics, Animal Cruelty Investigations, Officer Safety & Survival and the DSHS approved Certified Euthanasia Technician training course. This is everything an officer needs, in one course. THE ACO LEVEL 1-3 prepares a new officer to do a better, safer and more professional job and more training for the dollar. (AVAILABLE ONLY TO EMPLOYED ACOs)

DSHS Approved Basic ACO Course (Individual)

16 HRS/$200

As of JULY 2008, TAACO was approved as a DSHS ZC "BASIC" COURSE provider. The TAACO "Basic" course is 16 Hours in length, due to its’ more in depth content. It covers all the DSHS required elements and then some, listed in THSC #829. A TAACO presentation manual, as well as an electronic CD copy of the DSHS, ACO TRAINING MANUAL is included. This course is more advanced than anything ever offered before.

(OFFERED USUALLY THE THIRD WEEK OF EACH MONTH EXCEPT DECEMBER as part of the ACO Level 1-3)

DSHS Approved Basic ACO Course (RETAKE)

$200

This course is for persons that has failed to score adequately on the DSHS state exam. It is a refresher for those requiring to re-test. It is very intense in the area of law required in THSC #822-829 ACO training.
TAACO Students $100.00
(OFFERED USUALLY THE THIRD WEEK OF EACH MONTH OR AS NEEDED)

NEW Intermediate ACO Course

16 HRS
$225 TACA Members
$250 Non-members

The intent and goal of this course is to provide the ACO/ACT with a higher level of training in their day to day duties, as well as an avenue to obtain the next level of certification. The following topics will be covered: Rabies Quarantine Facilities, Report writing and record keeping, Shelter Sanitation, Marketing, Parasites, Grooming and Behavior, Wildlife and Farm Animal Recognition, Officer Safety and Survival.
16 hr course but 14 hrs CE credit

NEW Advanced ACO Course

16 HRS
$225 TACA Members
$250 Non-members

Coming Soon

Advanced Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI)

12 HRS/$250

This ACI course is unique to any other. It not only contains all the Criminal and Civil law aspect of animal seizure and making a prosecutable cruelty case, but very in depth in small & large animal anatomy, health and nutrition. Animal condition scoring and medical evaluations are also taught. TAACO Chief Alan Spence, a professional peace officer, and experienced criminal investigator, is the instructor. This course is very informative especially those that have limited knowledge in Equine and Bovine or farm animals.

This is TAACO’s number two requested remote course, due to the increase in the number of cruelty cases arising, and the quality of this course. (Ask about group rates?)

Officer Safety, Bite Stick (ASP) & Pepper Spray

8 HRS/$125

This course is designed to teach the ACO how to better recognize danger and how to avoid and/or deal with it when necessary. Times are changing and the duties of the e ACO are getting more dangerous in many ways. Officer safety should be priority # 1. Use your mind as a weapon.

The Bite Stick (ASP) portion of the training is a combination of the penal law, and SOP's regarding the possession and use. Segments on the proper way to use these tools to protect yourself against an aggressive animal and possibly a persons, in the line of duty are taught. The Pepper Spray portion, deals with the use and effects of OC spray on animals as well as humans. Proper use and decontamination are also taught.

If your department allows you, and you choose to carry these tools in your duties as an ACO, this training is a valuable asset from the liability standpoint as well as officer safety. TAACO does not condone the use of these weapons without proper professional training.

This course is available to anyone working in the Animal Care & Control field and is available remotely with group discount any where in the state. “It is better prepare yourself and never need it, than need it and never have it.”

Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET)

12 Hrs/$250

The TAACO course is a 2-day (12-14 Hour) course. TAACO teaches the curriculum as prescribed and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control Division. The TAACO CET has the required classroom curriculum and an extensive hands-on practical block of instruction on performing euthanasia. It also includes a rabies decap and necropsy demonstration. Drug licensing, ordering, safety and security are also taught.

Certified Euthanasia Re-certification

8 Hrs/$150

This 8 hour course meets the requirements of the state of Texas for anyone re-certifying as a euthanasia technician. This course is available at remote locations upon request. Group discounts are available.

Shelter Tech/Manager (STM)

16 HRS/$250

The STM covers all aspects of working in and managing a kennel or shelter. It coves facility and personal hygiene, cross contamination, most common diseases and illnesses, parasites and their treatments. Staff safety and Zoonosis are stressed. The subjects of animal behavior, temperament testing, on and off site adoption. Methods of working with volunteers fosters and rescues are taught. Compassion fatigue / burn out and record keeping are also taught. This course is great for the full or part time ACT or the volunteers. Learn the correct safe way to operate a shelter or kennel.

Chemical Capture & Restraint (CCR)

8 HRS/$200

The methods of delivery as used in the ACO field are taught. This course is heavy in the legal requirements, pharmacology, security and safety of the drugs used.

Methods used to sedate or immobilize an animal for medical or safety reasons including drug mixtures are taught. The practical hands on with the equipment and safety are stressed as are the correct dosages. This course is great for anyone wanting to safely and correctly use chemical capture as a means to deal with wild domestic, wildlife or nuisance animals.

Large Animal Familiarization & Recognition

8 HRS/$125

This is a new in-service course never before offered. It contains a vast amount of information on large animal, particularly equine, bovine and other farm animals. Large animal anatomy, husbandry, health and nutrition, along with behavior, handling, colors and markings are taught. This is a great course for those whose knowledge in limited in this area.

ACO Admin Instructor Course (AIC)

24 HRS/$300

This course is designed for the more experienced ACO/ACT. It deals mainly with the principals of teaching a class or course. Writing a class outline, audio/visual aids, preparing a presentation and exams. This class requires each student to prepare and put on two 15 minute presentations. Train the trainer methods are taught along with public perception and public relations. This AIC is a fun and interesting course for anyone that is in a position to train others or do public speaking.

Basic Animal Care Technician Course (ACT)

32 HRS/$400

The TAACO Basic Animal Care Technician course (ACT) is a 32 Hr course directly related to animal care, health and nutrition. The ACT has 8 hours of just anatomy, breed recognition colors and marking on canine and feline. Eight hours of zoonosis, veterinary medicine, with recognition of common diseases and their treatments, in shelter animals. Shelter/kennel hygiene, prevention of cross contamination and rabies quarantine regulations. Animal behavior - characteristics and personal safety / security are taught. Stress management - compassion fatigue in dealing with the day-to-day workings of an animal shelter. Record keeping and adoption procedures are also taught. This course is a time and life saver for the beginner starting out working in a shelter environment.

Parasitology

8 HRS/$125

This 8 hour course includes Parasite identification, Microscope use & Parasite treatment options. Our objective is to give each student the basic understanding of parasites, their affect on animals and treatment options. The basic working knowledge to test for parasites and the basic knowledge to prevent and treat for parasite infestation. This course does not award CE credit.

Shelter Management

24 Hrs/$300

The TAACO shelter management course is designed for the more advanced student, however, it would be an asset to anyone in the field. It deals more directly with the supervisory duties of running a shelter. It is strong in shelter hygeine, disease control, staff safety and zoonosis. Shelter Management also deals with networking, increasing on and off-site adoptions, organizing volunteers, foster homes and streamlining the massive amount of bookkeeping and paperwork.

*Rodent, Reptile & Bat Identification (RRB)

8 Hrs/$100

*Wildlife Recognition & Laws

*Equine/Bovine Anatomy Health & Nutrition (EBH)

*Lrg Animal Capture, Restraint & Transport (LAC)

*In-Service courses for CE Credit.

Call for information on any Continuing Education courses listed here but not on the schedule page of this site. All the TAACO course afford TACA CE credit for all working ACO and TACA MEMBERS. If you are not already a member, we urge you to join this professional group. It has many benefits for all the Animal Care and control field.