Level 1 · Standard

Level 1 Senior Dog Certification for Veterinary Assistants and CSRs

Senior dog visits succeed when every team member recognizes key health indicators and communicates a clear care plan. Level 1 Standard Membership establishes a strong base in senior and geriatric canine care for veterinary assistants and customer service representatives, and builds practical communication skills so pet parents know what to expect and how to support their dogs' ongoing health.

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Senior dog at the clinic
5 hours of RACE-approved CE
$249 new · $149/yr renewal
By the numbers

Senior Dog Certification by the Numbers

A growing community of professionals raising the standard of senior care.

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Members enrolled in the certification program
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Senior Dog Certified vet professionals
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Certificates awarded across 2 RACE-approved CE courses
Certified professionals around the world
🌎0Countries
🇺🇸0US States
🇨🇦0Canadian Provinces
The Payoff

Senior Visits Start at the Front Desk

Before a senior dog ever sees the doctor, someone booked the appointment, calmed a worried owner, and noticed the stiff walk from the car. That someone is your support team.

When assistants and CSRs know what aging looks like and what to say about it, appointments start smoother, pet parents arrive prepared, and subtle changes get flagged before they become emergencies. Level 1 turns your front line into the first step of great senior medicine.

“
I liked how the course was structured, and I liked how the information was laid out. It has given me a wider understanding of how I can help senior and geriatric patients when they come into the clinic and before they arrive.
– Dr. Jane D
Level 1 · Standard

Who Level 1 Is For

$249 new · $149/year renewal

Level 1 empowers support staff to take a confident, active role during senior dog visits, providing a practical approach to delivering excellent senior care.

  • Expert-led modules from experienced leaders in senior canine care
  • 5 hours of RACE-approved CE included with the Level 1 certification course
  • Senior care fundamentals that support better visits, handling, and workflows
  • Client communication training to help pet parents understand the next steps
  • Certification and recognition after completion
  • Certified directory listing, so pet parents can find your team
  • Ongoing CE webinars focused on senior dog care
  • Rounds with specialists to discuss cases and practical questions
  • Member community for real-world tips, resources, and support
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Level 1 course on a laptop

Level 1 Course Topics

5 hours of RACE-approved CE that builds your confidence in senior canine care and gives your team a proven framework for standout senior visits.

  1. Introduction to Canine Geroscience
  2. Defining the Senior and Geriatric Canine
  3. Prepping for a Senior Dog Visit
  4. Introduction to Senior Dog Care Programs
  5. Introduction to Senior Dog Parent Communication

All modules are on-demand, so you can start, pause, and revisit on your schedule.

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Training a full hospital team?

Group rates are available for practices certifying multiple team members.

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The education keeps coming

Over 30 Hours of CE a Year, From Experts in Geriatric Care

Your certification is just the beginning. On top of the CE included with your Senior Dog Veterinary Certification, members get additional CE, live events, and new resources every single month.

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hours of CE every year

Track your progress and earn your certificates right in your dashboard, from Level 1 fundamentals to advanced geriatric medicine.

✅ RACE-approved CE included 📺 On-demand + live every month 🎓 Taught by geriatrics experts
Get Senior Dog Certified
Member resources

Your Dashboard, Always Stocked

Member resources like our private podcast, monthly toolkits, and monthly rounds, all available in your dashboard.

SDVS member resources dashboard
Additional CE library
Growing library

Additional CE, Ready Today

A library of additional CE that is available today, with more added often.

SDVS webinars and virtual events
Live & monthly

Webinars & Virtual Events

Monthly webinars and virtual events that also include CE hours.

FAQs

Level 1 Certification FAQs

You have questions. We have answers.

All Senior Dog Vets certification modules and courses are fully prerecorded. You can start, pause, and revisit any lesson anytime, and learn at the pace that works best for your schedule.
Absolutely. Once you enroll, you'll have 24/7 access to every video, lecture, and resource. There are no required live sessions or fixed deadlines. Just work through the material when it suits you.
This certification recognizes veterinarians and veterinary team members who have chosen to invest additional time learning the latest best practices in geriatric canine medicine because they are committed to providing exceptional care for their senior dog patients year after year. It is not a veterinary board specialty, and there is currently no recognized veterinary specialty in geriatric canine medicine. Certification also helps pet parents identify veterinary professionals who have made senior dog medicine a meaningful part of their continuing education through the Senior Dog Certified Directory.
To earn Senior Dog Certification, veterinary professionals must complete the Senior Dog Vets online certification courses. Certification must be renewed annually to remain Senior Dog Certified and stay listed in the directory.
Certification is renewed annually. To maintain your Senior Dog Certified status, you'll complete 4 additional hours of Senior Dog Vets-specific CE each year and keep an active membership through an annual renewal fee.
The certification program is open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary support staff at all levels. As we continue to grow, we'll be expanding our CE offerings with role-specific learning paths across veterinary medicine.
Standard Membership includes 5 hours of RACE-approved CE. This is a great foundation for support staff in your practice, including receptionists and assistants at all levels.

Advanced Membership includes 12.5 hours of RACE-approved CE. This track is geared toward doctors and technicians, including general practice veterinarians, specialists, credentialed technicians, and experienced assistants with a hands-on role in patient care. That said, any team member who wants to go deeper is welcome to enroll.
Yes. Our co-founder, Lauren Adelman, DVM, DACVIM, shares how much she continues to learn from fellow specialists and veterinarians across different areas of geriatric medicine through this program.
There may be some overlap in aging, but our CE is currently focused on canine research and care. Since cats are a different species, they would benefit from a dedicated track of their own.
Yes. If you're looking for multiple Senior Dog Certification memberships for your team, check out the Group Enrollment Details or email us at info@seniordogvets.com to set up a group rate for your practice.
Our sponsors

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

The partners helping us raise the standard of senior dog care.

Loyal Galliprant Elanco Purina Dechra Freshpet Virbac Antinol Plus
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Make Senior Care a Strength of Your Practice

Get certified, align your team, and deliver clearer standards of care to senior patients.
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