Becoming a Practitioner with our Online Courses requires a certain amount of self discipline, interest in learning and a commitment to practice.
For those who have not previously attended any in person trainings, the first step would be to attend an “Intro” or “Level 1” Interactive course.
After the initial course, students continue taking sessions to amass 60 credits to cover the core curriculum. This includes taking Level 1 and Level 2 two times, ideally with at least 2 different instructors. As well as the “Working with Clients” course.
In addition to these courses, a variety of Electives may count for credits, such as “TTouch-For-You®”, “Applied TTouch” courses, or any dog or companion animal related Interactive course that has not been mentioned previously.
Students may also choose to add a single “Online Course” that may count as credits, this must be a course that is not included in the Intro, Level 1, or Level 2 options. These are completely self paced.
Once a student has earned at least 60 credits and completed course assignments, including the 5 detailed Case Studies; they are eligible for the evaluation process.
Some students will be ready for testing at this time, others may want to continue to study before testing. Upon submitting an application for testing and paying the required fee, the student will schedule testing with an instructor. Testing may be in-person, online, with video or a combination of these and will include a written test as well as an assessment of practical skills and applications. Study materials will be provided to those students on the certification track.
Completing 60 credits does not guarantee that you will be ready for evaluation. We recognize that a satisfactory skill level also requires considerable out of class practice and application. Practice outside of the coursework is necessary to successfully complete the certification evaluation.
Certification Courses
Intro to Tellington TTouch for Dogs
– Interactive online/Zoom classes with certified TTouch Teachers (10 hours/4 credits)
– Intro to TTouch for Dogs Online Study Program (8 hours of self-study/2 credits)
A great introduction to the method and what it’s all about. This is not a required course but provides a good foundation. Successful completion of this course results in 6 certification credits.
Level 1 Course – Core Curriculum
– Interactive online/Zoom classes with certified TTouch Instructors (20 hours/10 credits)
– Level 1 Getting in TTouch with Your Dogs Online Study Program (16 hours of self-study/4 credits)
– Engaging assignments and feedback on your increasing skills
This is a required course for those who are certifying via online course or individuals who have not yet attended a training in person. Level 1 will cover the core of Tellington TTouch techniques.
Due to the large quantity of material in the course, and the actual practice required, students may decide to take the Level 1 more than one time.
Completion of Level 1, including all assignments and quizzes counts as 14 certification credits. Attending this course a subsequent time, for a reduced price, counts as 10 credits.
Level 2 Course – Core Curriculum Continued
– Interactive online/Zoom classes with certified TTouch Instructors (20 hours/10 credits)
– Level 2 Getting in TTouch with Your Dogs Online Study Program (16 hours of self-study/4 credits)
– Engaging assignments and feedback on your increasing skills
Level 2 takes you deeper into the work and builds on the foundation you received in Level 1. Students will learn how to apply their skills in a variety of typical, real life, scenarios.
Completion of Level 2, including all assignments and quizzes counts as 14 certification credits. Attending this course a subsequent time, for a reduced price, counts as 10 credits.
Electives with Purpose – Applied TTouch
– Choose from the many Interactive & Online courses offered under the “Electives” category, designed to expand on your knowledge
– “Applied TTouch” topics clearly explain how to take theory into practice!
– TTouch-for-You and Equine Tellington TTouch courses may be used for limited Elective credit.
– Elective course credit varies depending on the length of the course. Please see individual courses for more information.
Working with Clients – Core Curriculum
– Interactive Zoom instruction with certified TTouch Instructors (10 hours/4 credits)
– Online Course Content (6 hours of self-paced study plus homework and assignments/4 credits)
– Learn how to teach and work with your future clientele and how to develop case studies
-Gain insight into how to integrate the power of TTouch into your business
Upon completion of 60 credits you may request to be evaluated. Earning 60 credits does not guarantee certification.
Completing the certification program requires that students successfully complete the evaluation requirements that demonstrate a satisfactory skill level.
Gaining a satisfactory skill levels will require that you practice between courses to hone your skill and familiarity with applying the philosophy, exercises and techniques into real life practice.
Depending on your learning style, some students will prefer to attend more courses or enlist the support of a mentor prior to evaluation.
The nature of the Tellington TTouch Method is that learning is somewhat “spiral” or “layered”. The more you learn, the more you refine and add to existing skills and knowledge. For this reason taking any level of Interactive course more than once will NOT feel redundant.
Case Studies – Showcase Your Skills
– Certification requirements include submitting at least 5, detailed case studies that follow the progress of dogs you are working with
– A detailed outline of Case Study requirements, examples and expectations can be found here.
Certification is contingent on the evaluation of the coursework, videos, case study submissions and overall skill level.
Evaluation Process – Demonstrate Your Skills
- – Earn at least 60 credits of course hours (can include in person training which is 2 credits per day)
- – Feel confident with your understanding of the Core Curriculum & Criteria
- – Register for Certification Evaluation
- – Complete 5 detailed case studies
- – Score 80% or more on a written test
- – Demonstrate an excellent understanding of Tellington TTouch Philosophy
- – Demonstrate proficiency in practical skills (TTouches, Body Wraps, Leash work) with video submission.
- – Demonstrate competency in a Client Session video submission.
Payment
Students will pay for each session prior to participating in the session, unless a payment plan has been approved. In order to become certified as Practitioner or Practitioner 1, all sessions attended must be fully paid.
Students in North America: While registration for online courses is centralized, Canadians and Americans will register in their country of residence regardless of where they are attending the in-person training.
When a student believes they are ready to be tested for certification, they will inform their national office, pay the testing fee, and schedule their test.
Mentors
After completing 24 credits, students in the certification track are eligible to request and be assigned a mentor.
Assignments will be made on the basis of personal student needs, time availability of mentors, and in some cases, geographic proximity of student and mentor. It is our aim to match the interests of the students with the skills of the mentors as best we can. In this process, if a student has a specific mentor preference, we will make every effort to honor that.
Safety Guidelines
Tellington TTouch students and Practitioners must adhere to safe handling techniques to assure the safety of their clients, their client’s animals, and themselves. This includes the following:
– The ability to assess canine communication and stress signals and respond appropriately.
– Awareness of personal space and how to position yourself safely while working with a dog.
– Utilizing the concept of “giving choice,” to reduce the likelihood of a dog feeling threatened or trapped. This includes allowing a dog to retreat, or moving a dog away from a threatening situation.
– Intervening as needed if you observe a client putting the animal or yourself in an unsafe situation.
– Never employing the use of aversive training techniques or tools.
– The ability to recognize when it is not safe to touch or work with a particular animal.
– Keeping safe space between multiple dogs in a class or workshop situation.
Tellington TTouch Certification Levels
Tellington TTouch Practitioner
Qualification Criteria:
- – Successful completion of required coursework for a total of 60 credits.
- – Submission of 5 approved case studies.
- – Achievement of passing score on written and practical skills assessment.
Permitted Practice:
- – Certified to work with individuals.
- – May give short (one hour) lectures or demonstrations to groups.
Tellington TTouch Practitioner 1
Practitioners are eligible to be tested for Practitioner 1 after earning an additional 12 credits of specific coursework related to teaching Tellington TTouch workshops. This curriculum will also prepare the Practitioner for the Practitioner 1 test. Some Practitioners will be ready for testing at this time, others may want to continue to study before testing.
Upon submitting an application for testing and paying the required fee, the Practitioner will schedule testing with an instructor. Testing may be in-person, online, with video or a combination of these and will include a written test as well as an assessment of skills required for teaching workshops.
Qualification Criteria:
- – Successful completion of required coursework for a total of 72 credits.
- – Completion of a class presentation to demonstrate teaching skills observed by an instructor
- – Submission and approval of a plan for conducting a one day workshop.
- – Achievement of passing score on written and practical skills assessment.
Permitted Practice:
- – Certified to work with individual clients.
- – Give lectures/demonstrations or weekly classes.
- – Teach one day hands-on workshops to groups.
Tellington TTouch Practitioner 2
Qualification Criteria:
- – Have been listed in the Guild as a Practitioner 1 for at least one year immediately prior to upgrading
- – Have taught at least 10 one-day or 20 half-day/evening hands-on workshops (or the equivalent) and turned in feedback forms from participants and organizers from at least five of the workshops.
- – Submitted, for discussion with an instructor, an outline of the agenda for a hypothetical two-day hands-on workshop.
Permitted Practice:
- – Certified to work with individual clients.
- – Give lectures/demonstrations or weekly classes.
- – Teach one or two day hands-on workshops to groups.
Tellington TTouch Senior Practitioner (P3)
Qualification Criteria:
- – Been an active TTouch Practitioner for at least 8 years immediately prior to upgrading.
- – Taught a minimum of 16 workshops/webinars/modules (or equivalent)
- – Assisted at a minimum of 10 trainings.
- – Guild member for a minimum of 4 years before application and remain a Guild member
- – Demonstrates exceptional teaching and interpersonal skills
- – Submitted feedback forms from 5 workshops taught in the past three years prior to upgrading.
- – Demonstrates excellent handling and technical skills with a wide variety of dogs.
Permitted Practice:
- – Qualified to function as senior assistants at trainings.
- – Develop and teach webinars for the TTouch Online Learning Program.
- – Teach workshops (up to 3 days) to provide TTouch CEU credits according to curriculum guidelines.
Tellington TTouch Instructor:
Instructors are selected based on experience, technical and practical skills, teaching ability, and other contributions to (and needs of) the organization.
Benefits of Practitioner Certification
The process of becoming a Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner for Dogs has many benefits, besides the tremendous personal learning potential.
Tellington TTouch Practitioners are certified to:
- Teach the method and its exercises to individual clients and their animals
- Use the official Tellington TTouch Logo and branding in a professional capacity
- Eligible to join the Professional Guild which allows for discounts, insider access, invitations to weekly educational webinars, annual membership to the TTouch Community
- Access to private Practitioner Facebook page
TELLINGTON TTOUCH PRACTITIONER GUILD:
The Tellington TTouch Practitioner Guild is a professional membership organization with the mission of promoting the Tellington TTouch Method.
Being a Guild member entitles you to:
- – A discount on TTouch equipment purchases (for current Certified Practitioners only).
- – Subscription to the Tellington TTouch Community FaceBook group.
- – Listing in the Practitioner Directory of the Tellington TTouch Guild Site and the TTouch USA and TTouch Canada sites. Listing includes an individual Profile Page for each Guild Member to enter business information, services, contact data and photographs.
- – Assist at trainings which can count toward keeping your certification current.
- – Updated teaching resources and access to the members only section of the Guild website.
- – Referrals through the TTouch offices.
Current Practitioners and Instructors will be listed with the TTouch Guild provided they maintain their status (see section below in Maintaining Practitioner Status) and pay the appropriate Guild Membership fee.
With prior approval, Certified Practitioners who are Guild Members may assist at training sessions. If the Practitioner’s intent is to upgrade or maintain status, the Practitioner must be present and attentive at the sessions. This will preclude organizers unless all duties have been delegated.
Guild membership for all levels of Tellington TTouch Practitioners depends on maintaining status and paying the annual fees. Robyn Hood sends out Guild renewal forms each year, by e-mail and/or postal mail, to all Practitioners. This information includes the prices for all the levels of membership and the directions for how to renew.
MAINTAINING PRACTITIONER STATUS:
Tellington TTouch Training uses a system of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain/re-establish Practitioner status or provide means of additional study.
Practitioners of all levels will be required to accumulate 12 CEUs within the previous two years.
CEUs will be awarded for the following:
- – Attending or assisting at a five- or six- day in-person training or Level 1 or 2 online courses – 12
- – Advanced Training/CELLebration – TBD
- – Online Practitioner Update – 12
- – 2-day workshops with approved practitioner – 3
- – 1-day workshops with approved practitioner – 1.5
- – TTouch approved webinar – .75
Practitioners teaching courses, modules or webinars will be assigned appropriate CEUs.
RE-CERTIFYING OUTDATED PRACTITIONERS
All levels of practitioners who fail to update will not be authorized to use the logo or present themselves as Practitioners.
Depending upon the length of time they have been away from the TTouch work, the CEU requirements may vary in order to re-establish the original Practitioner level. For example, a Practitioner 2 outdated for two years may regain their status after accumulating 12 CEUs, whereas a Practitioner 2 outdated for 5 years may need 24 CEUs to regain the Practitioner 2 status, but will be recognized as Practitioner 1 after 12 CEUs.
After two years of being outdated, 12 of the required CEUs must be accumulated at a Practitioner Training Session. In-person trainings may be attended at half the cost of the session.