Professional Animal Workers (PAWS) - Individuals with Disabilities

Program Description

This one-semester program prepares students to work with animals in kennels, doggie day care centers, groomers, and other animal-centered businesses. It prepares students to effectively care for, work with, and identify the needs of animals in a safe, calm, and sensitive manner in a professional setting. Students will also learn soft skills for employment. Internships are arranged and provided by program staff.

This career and academic track is designed for students with learning differences or disabilities that impact learning. This track provides instruction that is multisensory, multimodal, personalized, and incorporates elements of universal design for learning. Classes are taught with a 6 to 1 student-teacher ratio to better meet the needs of individual learners.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

​1. prepare for an entry-level job in the animal care industry, and

2. demonstrate readiness to enter the workforce.

Program Credentials

Successful Completion:

CCBC Credential: Students will earn a CCBC Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Financial Aid and Payment Options

CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs. 

Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development. 

For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.

Program Length

15 weeks (daytime)

Courses start in August and late January at CCBC Dundalk.

Program Requirements

6th Grade Reading Level - according to an assessment that will be administered during an intake interview

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Selective Entry – Please call 443-840-3262 to schedule an interview and assessment.

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Career Opportunities:

Assistant/caregiver and front office worker at an animal rescue, doggie day care center, veterinary clinic, kennel, or groomer.​

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA .  Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Cabana | jcabana@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-3262 | Dundalk MASH 104