GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Twenty-two students are the first to complete the Animal Control Officer Training Program at Grand Valley State University. Grand Valley's Criminal Justice Education Center will award the students Certificates of Completion.
The ceremony will be held Friday, December 15, at 6 p.m. in the University Club, located on the first floor of the Richard M. DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 Fulton Street West.
Grand Valley is the first in Michigan, possibly the nation, to provide comprehensive animal control officer training. The program, which was launched in September, includes 135 hours of training in topics ranging from animal identification and behavior to legal procedures and investigative techniques.
To be eligible for employment as an animal control officer in Michigan an individual must successfully complete 100 hours of training accepted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Williamson N. Wallace, director of Criminal Justice Training at Grand Valley, said currently there are no standardized training requirements.
"This program has the full support of the MDA," said Wallace. "Graduates have satisfied all training and educational requirements necessary to seek employment as an animal control officer in Michigan."
The program has the endorsement of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers and the Michigan Humane Society.
For more information, contact Williamson N. Wallace, director of Criminal Justice Training, at (616) 331-8515 or GVSU News and Information Services at (616) 331-2221.
