TAACO Full Academy (TFA)

160 HRS/$3,995

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.

TAACO TFA Courses are now Accredited by and in Affiliation with Blinn College Work Base Training Program.

APPLY FOR GRANTS & LOANS:

Send completed TAACO REGISTRATION FORM in with a minimum $400 deposit. Fill out the student loan application completely as possible and SIGN. Fax the loan application to 979.542.0788 c/o Wayne Gallipp AND to TAACO at 979.542.4969. Call 979.542.1200 and advise Mr. Gallipp the application is being faxed and mailed. Mail the original copy of the application, along with a copy of the TAACO TFA acceptance letter to Wayne Gallipp at FNB 108 E. Austin, Giddings TX. 78942.

An acceptance letter from TAACO proving registration in the TFA must acccompany the student loan application form upon submission.

At some point Mr. Gallipp will need to have a personal or phone conversation with applicant and/or co-signer. There should be a decision made with in approximately 7 days. A $400 deposit/down payment is required. It is up to the FNB to assess the interest rate, but for example, the repayment amount based on 10% APR over 18, equates to approximately $125 a month. A 12-month pay out would equate to approximately $315. All loans are subject to credit approval, rating and down-payment. FNB will make the final determination on the APR to be charged, and down-payment amount required, but it is commonly around 10%. Any questions about application should be directed to Mr. Gallipp.

APPLY FOR OTHER GRANTS & LOANS:
CollegeAnswer.com
CollegeForTexans.com
College For All Texans Foundation

Veterinarian Assistant (VAC)

80 HRS/$2,950

TAACO in now offering a VETERINARY ASSISTANT (VAC) course. Registration begins 01 August 2008. The VAC course begins 08 September 2008. The VAC teaches basic working knowledge for any person entering the animal care field. If you choose to work in an animal shelter or clinical setting, the VAC will prepare you for either.

The VAC is an intense 80 Hr. (2 week) 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.

If you love animals and you are seeking a career in caring for them, the VAC is the course for you. In only two short weeks you can be armed with a certificate that will afford you an advantage in the job market. There are a great number of employment opportunities all over the State for Vet Assistants and Animal Care Technicians. This is a quickly growing field, with great opportunities for advancement, for those who apply themselves.

To register for the next available VAC, call (979/542-5010) or email (info@txacademyaco.com) TAACO and request a registration packet, or download/print the vet assistant registration application. Complete the application and return it with the tuition or at least the deposit of $400.00. The tuition for the VAC is $2950.00. The tuition includes books, manuals and lodging. Upon completion of the VAC the student will receive a diploma and 4 certificates of completion in required subjects such as CPR/First Aid, Euthanasia, Chemical Capture & Restraint, and Animals In Disaster (FIMA).

The VAC is an approved course through the Blinn College Workforce Education program. This course is taught from the practical view point for the person that is not interested in the academic college setting. The VAC is job specific training and directly related to the day-to-day duties of the animal care field. Familiarization with domestic pets, reptiles and wildlife are also covered in this course, along with livestock/farm animals.

TAACO accepts tuition payments by way of cash, check, credit cards and scholarships. Register today and secure your seat in the next VAC course. TAACO can only accept 26 students per class. Ask about our “buddy” discount.

Veterinary Assistant positions are in great demand, so come now, and join this elite group of men and women taking the challenge by filling the need for trained professionals in this existing career field.

TAACO also offers an abbreviated form of this course for the learning impaired and/or mentally challenged student. This block of instruction is 40 hours in length and is primarily practical/hands on. This course deals mainly with kennel hygiene, animal care, health & nutrition, animal grooming shelter safety and personal health & safety. This course is offered bi-annually in February and November. Call for more information and upcoming courses.

ACO Level 1/3 (SPECIAL)

32 HRS/$400

The ACO Level 1-3 is a unique course structured for the "Beginner" WORKING CO/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. (AVAILABLE ONLY TO EMPLOYED ACOs)

DSHS Approved Basic ACO Course

16 HRS/$200

As of 28 JULY 2008, TAACO was approved as 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 a copy of the DSHS, ACO TRAINING MANUAL are included. This course is more advanced than anything ever offered before. (INCLUDES DSHS BASIC ACO MANUAL)
(OFFERED USUALLY THE THIRD WEEK OF EACH MONTH EXCEPT DECEMBER)

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)

Advanced Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI)

16 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.

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.”

TASER CERTIFICATION CLASS COMING IN FEBRUARY 2008

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/$125

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)

16 HRS/$350

The methods as used in the ACO field are taught. This course is heavy in the legal requirements, pharmacology, security and safety of the drugs used to sedate or immobilize an animal for medical or safety reasons. The practical hands on with the equipment and safety are stressed as is the correct dosages. This course is great for anyone wanting to use chemical capture as a means to deal with wild domestic, wildlife or nuisance animals. A majority of this course it taught by TAACO's staff Veterinarian.

Bite Stick & Pepper Spray Certification (BPS)

8 HRS/$125

The Bite Stick/ASP and pepper spray as used in the ACC field, as a defensive protective device ONLY is taught. Officer safety and the legal ramifications of the miss use are strongly stressed. Dealing with the animals and the owners with good public relations. A practical hands on and demonstration is included in this course. ANYONE caring or looking to carry these instruments in the process of their duties should have this course, the liability is too great, not to. Policy and procedures for your agency or department are discussed.

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.

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 on the schedule page of this site, but not listed here. 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.