Kirkwood launches humane officer training program

After watching police rescue dogs, cats and horses for the past five years on “Animal Cops,” Katie Davidshofer of Lisbon decided that she wanted to be a humane officer.

When Davidshofer heard through a co-worker that Kirkwood Community College was launching a first-in-the-nation humane officer training program, she was ready to sign up.

“Rescuing animals is my passion,” said Davidshofer, who worked at a veterinary clinic for two years. “We had pets that had been rescued come to our hospital, and I enjoyed working around them.

“I kept bugging people in Kirkwood's agricultural programs to let me know when the humane officer training program was approved. I feel that this is really a dream career.”

Anne Duffy, professor and coordinator of animal health technology at Kirkwood, said 18 students are enrolled in the two-year humane officer program, which has a maximum enrollment of 25. Graduates will earn an associate of applied science degree with a curriculum that is 60 percent animal, 30 percent law enforcement and 10 percent general education courses.

“There's nothing like this anywhere else in the United States,” Duffy said. “There is a one-week program in Kansas City for law enforcement officers and others already working in the field. This is the first program designed for those just coming out of high school and wanting to work in animal shelters and similar facilities.”

Duffy said the program also is open to volunteers in animal rescue groups.

“Many times they have not had anywhere to turn for the education and the kind of things they need to know to run a top-notch rescue organization,” she said. “I really saw the need for this program after the Floods of 2008 when we were caring for so many animals here at Kirkwood.”

Duffy said the humane officer program follows on the success of Kirkwood's veterinary technician program, which has an 18-month waiting list for enrollment.

“I had tried to get into the vet-tech program, but it was full,” said Sabrina Kuisle of Mediapolis. “I decided to try this program, because it still allows me to work with animals.”

Duffy said Kirkwood vet-tech graduates, who assist veterinarians in surgery, do blood draws and lab work, take X-rays, and give and monitor anesthesia, are sought by veterinarians and animal hospitals.

“We get calls from all over the country seeking our graduates,” she said. “I have a feeling the same thing will happen once we have graduates from our humane officer training program.”