Unfortunately, the animal care program is not arranged in the scholl year 2022-2023. If you are interested in animals, see our program Dog Consultant via the link.
Our animal care and dog consultant students are running Borgå DogCare, which offers services for pets and their owners.
Improve your knowledge about animals
We offer a one year course for people wanting to know more about domestic animals and pets. The focus is on the most common domestic animals, but the education also includes horses and farm animals. Perhaps you are planning to start a business within an animal branch, or perhaps in the future you would like to work at an animal clinic or as an animal carer? Sign up for our Animal Care course to give you the basic knowledge and readiness within the subject area.
If you are mainly interested in dogs, check out our programme: Dog Consultant
Contact and further information
Programme leader:
Christina “Chrusse” von Pfaler | Phone +358 (0)50 3472 596 | christina.vonpfaler@akan.fi
During the summer contactable by email.
Location:
Borgå folkakademi / Runebergsgatan 16-18 in the centre of Borgå.
Language of instruction:
The language of instruction is Swedish, but assignments and similar stuff can also be done in Finnish and English. Some lessons are also in English, based on the teacher’s language skills.
Tuition fee:
350 €/month including lessons, lunch and afternoon coffee.
Costs for student materials and excursions are extra.
Accommodation:
If you need accommodation you can board in the school’s dormitory connected to the school.
Cost 200 €/month in a shared double room or 260 €/month for a single room, including breakfast Monday-Friday and supper Monday-Thursday.
Further information about accommodation and costs can be found here.
Application period:
More information on the next application to the study program will be available in November 2022.
The content of the studies:
Study visits and work experience
Included in the multi-faceted study programme are study visits as well as a three week practical placement. In previous years students have found work experience placements in veterinary clinics, pet shops, stables and livestock farms. The working experience time gives you the possibility to strengthen your theoretical knowledge, allows you to work with animals as well as build your own network of contacts for working life.
Project
During the year we organise different
events. During the Animal Day (Djurens
dag) we go on a walk together with the Dog Consultant in order to increase the
awareness of the relationship between animals and people.
One year at the
folkhögskola (People’s Academy) will generate six extra study points towards
further study placement within second stage vocational education in Finland.
Subjects
(25 h / week – daily lessons)
Anatomy och physiology
Animal’s basic anatomy and physiology from a comparative perspective.
Species – and knowledge of breeds
Recognise our most common domestic animals, livestock and hobby pets.
Animal photography
The basics in digital photography with special focus on animal photography.
Animal first aid
Be able to give first aid to animals with minor injuries as well as knowing when a veterinary surgeon should be called.
Animal welfare and ethics
The Animal Welfare Act in Finland and Northern Europe and should be able to discuss ethical questions about dealing with animals.
Treatment of animals
How to look after and treat animals and know about needs for specific breeds in their surroundings, care and treatment.
Ethology
Be able to explain what ethology is and understand the mechanisms behind animal’s behaviour.
Entrepreneurship
How to start their own business.
Genetics
The basics of genetics as well as being able to calculate simple exercises on probable inheritance.
The basics of wellbeing (prophylaxis), (jointly with the dog consultant course)
About dogs most common illnesses, how they occur, symptoms, treatment and prognosis.
Basics of teaching good dog behaviour
Puppy development and master Clicker Training.
Customer service
Characteristics of good customer service and be able to reflect their own roles in dealing with customers.
Humans and animals
The history of animal types and their importance to humans, hobby activities in relation to animals as well as animal’s roles in art, film, rehabilitation and animals in public service.
Nutrition and feeding
The basics in nutrition as well as the correct feeding according to species, breed and individual.
Work experience
Students acquaint themselves with the animal industry and get an insight to what jobs there are and what is required in working life during the spring semester.
Apply
The course is aimed at people with an active interest in animals. One year in folkhögskola (People’s Academy) will give six extra study points when one applies for a study place within the second level vocational training in Finland. For students from Sweden and Norway we would remind you that the course is CSN and you are entitled to Lånekassen. Curriculum for Animal Care (in Swedish).
We withhold the right to change the contents and offers in our courses and educational programmes.
