The OWREN Wildlife Rehabilitation
BASIC SKILLS COURSE was
designed by Ontario rehabilitators and the OWREN Board as an essential basic
educational component of wildlife rehabilitation for those who wish to become
Authorized Wildlife Custodians (AWC) in Ontario, act as Foster Care Givers for an
existing AWC, or volunteer to work with wildlife at an established facility.
There are NO pre-requisites for the Basic Skills Course, and it is open to
members of the public over the age of 19.
The two
day course, hands on lab learning stations and written exam component,
are accepted as the equivalent to the Ministry of Natural Resources OWRE
written test for those who attend, participate fully in the lab sections, and
attain a score of 80% on the written exam.
It is only the first step in
becoming an authorized wildlife custodian in the province of Ontario.
Existing custodians may wish to take the course to refresh their skills
and update their knowledge. The course is ideal to complement volunteer training programs
or for those who want to learn the basics of wildlife rehabilitation and
volunteer at rehabilitation facilities or work with wildlife in related
professions. Humane society, animal control, or veterinary clinic staff who
often receive orphaned or injured wildlife from the public would benefit from
the course.
The course provides you with a fundamental exposure to what you
can expect working with native species in wildlife rehabilitation in Ontario.
The course curriculum provides you with a basic introduction to and a
starting foundation in the following subject areas:
Legalities:
Federal & provincial laws; conditions of Wildlife Custodian
Authorization (presented by MNR); wildlife recordkeeping; veterinary
relationships; disease reporting
Initial Contact:
handling public inquiries; species identification;
injury assessment; reuniting orphans with parent; species biology/behaviour;
telephone hotline tips/advice; safe wildlife capture/transport.
Triage:
initial examination; making difficult decisions;
animal-rehabilitator safety and handling.
Emergency:
shock; dehydration; emaciation; blood/fluid loss;
poison/seizures; respiration.
Basic Exam:
equipment; restraint methods; performing the examination;
charting.
Basic Treatment:
limb immobilization; wing wraps; wound management;
gavage; dosage calculations; fluid replacement calculations.
Diseases:
wildlife diseases; zoonoses; epizootics; disease prevention
strategies.
Rehabilitation:
ethics; equipment; housing; nutrition overview; enrichment; stress reduction
tips.
Release Considerations:
release assessment; methods; site evaluations;
euthanasia
The
course also involves hands-on workstations in which new students are taught and
gain
confidence in performing basic life saving techniques on wildlife. These
techniques can often help to help stabilize an injury to permit healing and/or
to prevent further injury for transport to your veterinarian for treatment.
PLEASE NOTE:
Students are
evaluated and/or graded in each of three course areas:
* Full attendance both days for lectures
* Full participation in all hands-on lab workstations
* A written test in which a score of 80% must be achieved
to pass.
Failure to
complete or participate in any of the three sections, will result in a
failed grade.
A Certificate of Completion will not be issued by OWREN
if this occurs.
The Study Guide and
Exam Guides are sent out to all registrants when the following conditions
are all met:
* We receive your fully paid
registration,
* The registration deadline has passed, and
* The minimum number of persons registered for
the course to proceed has been met.
Go over and study this material carefully as the
final exam is based on the material contained in the study guides. All students
will receive the OWREN Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Manual on the first
day of the course. It covers the course content taught over the two day
period and has many other useful resources and information for rehabilitation.
Overall the OWREN Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course is
a well rounded course developed by Ontario rehabilitators - for Ontario
rehabilitators!
About the OWREN BEYOND BASIC SKILLS
Wildlife Rehabilitation Course
Whether you provide care from intake to release, or short-term care for orphaned
or injured wildlife while awaiting transfer to an authorized wildlife custodian, this course will
benefit you.
Designed for those who want to develop more than a basic knowledge of best
practices in wildlife rehabilitation or common native wildlife.
Information on natural history, habits, diets and husbandry for the care of
common native wild animals is critical to successful rehabilitation. To help you make the best treatment
choices for wildlife in rehabilitation you need to develop an understanding of what to do for common injuries and
illnesses in various wildlife species and this course will give you that knowledge and confidence.
This course will focus on common native wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles) admitted to rehabilitation facilities in Ontario, and will cover:
*
Injuries, diseases, illness and treatment including fluid therapy
*
Diets and formula—for all age groups
* Housing and handling—for all ages
* Enrichment for wildlife in rehabilitation
* Keeping the ‘wild’ in wildlife and determining release readiness
* Special handling for RVS species
Natural history, habitats, and food sources critical for best practices used in
rehabilitation will be addressed through resource materials distributed to each student.
Would you like to have an
OWREN Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course in your area?
You can !
Contact us at
courses@owren-online.org if you need more information.
Courses can be arranged for any group in any location.
Vet tech students,
government staff, humane society/animal control agencies,
veterinary clinics, etc., will find the course content informative and helpful.
