|
QUESTIONS |
ANSWERS |
|
Can I pay for both my
membership and course registration fee with one cheque/money order?
|
Yes, you can. |
|
Can I register for and take the
Beyond Basics course immediately after the Basic Skills course even if I
don't know if I have passed the course yet? |
Yes, passing or failing the
Basic Skills course is not relevant to taking the Beyond Basic Skills
course. Passing does not 'give' you a wildlife custodian authorization -
you must apply for that through the Ministry of Natural Resources.
A successful passing grade exempts you only from having to write the
Ministry's test. (OWREN's test and the Ministry's test are the
same thing.) OWREN does not have the legal authority to issue any
licenses. Applications, and inspections for rehabilitation permits are
the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Ministry (provincial) and/or
the Canadian Wildlife Service (federal). |
|
I can't open or download the
attachment to print out a registration. What should I do? Can you send
it to me in another format? |
PDF extension files are a
universally accepted method used by business and organizations for file
sharing and sending information. We do not use any other format
for registrations. Your computer may be set up to prevent you from
downloading from the web or your version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is not
current. Download and install the newest version
(FREE) Add OWREN to your
trusted sites in your browser security settings and your antivirus
programs. Try saving the file to your desktop and then open Adobe
Acrobat Reader, navigate to the file and open it from within.
|
|
Can I join OWREN now and pay
the member registration rate for the course? |
Yes, you can. Just add
the two amounts (registration and membership) and make one payment for
both when you mail in your course fees. This option is not retroactive -
membership must be included with your course registration for this offer
to be valid. |
|
1) I am not yet
19 but will be in a few months, can I still register for
the courses?
2) I have young children who
are currently doing volunteer work at a
wildlife centre - can I register all of us and bring them
to take this course? |
No, the legal age to
take this course is 19. |
|
Can I take the Beyond Basic
Skills course without first taking the Basic Skills course? |
It is not recommended unless you
have some previous hands-on experience working with wildlife and have at
least received introductory training about basic
wildlife rehabilitation skills. (Experience with domestic animals is not
considered the equivalent to having basic wildlife skills experience.) |
|
What happens if I write the
exam for the Basic Skills course and I fail the test? What are my
options? |
You can rewrite the exam at the
next OWREN course that is held (small administration fee applies) or you
can take your time and study the guides for as long as you need and make
arrangements to write the exam at your nearest MNR office when you feel
ready. |
|
Do I have to write the Basic
Skills test? |
No. You can choose not to take
the test. You will instead be issued a Certificate of Participation that
indicates you have not written the test. If you want to take the
course for information only and have no intention or plans to apply for
your own wildlife custodial authorization, you don't have to take the
test. You still must complete both days of the course and all the hands
on components of the training modules to earn a participation
certificate. |
|
What if I need accommodations
or have no transportation to get there? |
You must make your own room
reservations and arrangements for transportation to and from the course.
We provide basic info on one nearby hotel to assist you. You can also
search on Google for alternate accommodations to suit you. We do not
provide information about other course
registrants for the purpose of room or ride sharing due to privacy
issues. Bring a friend or
two and share with them! |
|
What is the fee for the
courses? |
Basic Skills Course (2 day
course)
- OWREN Member:
Individual
$165.00, Family (2 persons) $330.00, Org. (3
persons) $495.00,
Student (full-time) $130.00.
- Non-Member:
Individual
$210.00, Student (full-time) $175.00
Beyond Basic Skills Course
(1 day course)
- OWREN Member:
Individual $85.00, Family (2 persons) $170.00,
Org/ (3 persons) $255.00, Student (full-time) $65.00.
- Non-Member:
Individual $105.00, Student (full-time) $85.00
(Note: Fees are subject to change)
|
|
What is included in my course
registration? |
Basic Skills:
Lunch
both days; 3 study guides sent to you when the course is
confirmed;
and a course manual distributed the first
day of class. The test questions
are derived only from the material
contained in the study guides, so you need
to read and understand those to prepare
to write the test. The study guides
are mailed out in advance of the course
start date.
.
Beyond Basic Skills:
Lunch, and a course
manual and handouts - distributed the day of class.
(There is no test in the Beyond Basic
Skills course.)
|
|
What does a one-year membership
in OWREN cost? |
Individual member $30.00,
Family member (2 persons)
$50.00,
Organizational (3 persons)
$75.00
(Note: Fees are
subject to change) |
|
When and where is the next
course going to be held? |
Course dates
and locations are posted to this website when those dates and locations
are confirmed.
If you do not see any dates/locations listed, that means there are none
scheduled. Bookmark the site and keep checking back!
The website
is our primary means for letting you know a course is coming up. Click
the link and send us an email with your information in it and we'll send
you a notice when we post new dates/locations to the site.
|
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 a first step towards
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.
If you would like registration information sent to you
if other future dates
(those not listed above) are confirmed, please email us at:
courses (at) owren-online.org
Be sure to include:
your name,
full mailing address,
postal code,
telephone
number,
and your email address.
Would you like to have an
OWREN Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course in your area?
You can ! We can send you our hosting requirements if you feel
you can organize or have sufficient interest from enough individuals to
meet the minimum required for registration, to hold a class in your area.
Contact us at
courses (at) 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.
Contact us!
