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.
Join a Community Focused on Senior Dog Care
You are not doing this work alone. Join veterinary professionals who are building a stronger standard of care for senior dogs and a better experience for the teams who support them every day.
757
Members have Enrolled in the Certification Program
13
Countries with Certified Veterinarians & Vet Professionals
418
Senior Dog Certified Veterinarians & Vet Professionals
40
US States with Certified Veterinarians & Vet Professionals
654
Certificates Awarded across
2 RACE-Approved CE Courses.
7
Canadian Provinces with Certified Veterinarians & Vet Professionals
Who Level 1 Is For (Veterinary Assistants and CSRs)
Level 1 empowers support staff to take a confident, active role during senior dog visits, providing a practical approach to delivering excellent senior care.
What’s Included With Standard Membership
Level 1 Standard Membership includes everything you need to build strong fundamentals in senior and geriatric canine care.​
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Expert-led modules from experienced leaders in senior canine care
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7 hours of RACE-approved CE are included with the Level 1 certification course
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Senior care fundamentals that support better visits, handling, and workflows
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Client communication training to help pet parents understand the next steps
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Certification and recognition after completion
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Certified directory listing after certification, so pet parents can find your team
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Ongoing CE webinars focused on senior dog care
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Rounds with specialists to discuss cases and practical questions
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Member community for real-world tips, resources, and support
Level 1
Are you ready to level up?
Built for support staff who want more confidence in senior visits and stronger client communication.
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7 hours of RACE-approved CE and Level 1 Certification
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Senior visit fundamentals that improve consistency across the team
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Communication and expectation-setting that support better plan follow-through
Price: $249 new • $149/year renewal
Level 1
Training a full hospital team? Group rates are available.
Level 1 Course Topics
(7 Hours RACE-Approved CE)
Level 1 builds your confidence in senior canine care and gives your team a proven framework for delivering standout senior visits.
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Introduction to Canine Geroscience
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Defining the Senior and Geriatric Canine
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Evaluating the Healthy Senior Dog
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Diagnostic Recommendations: When and What
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Prepping for a Senior Dog Visit
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Introduction to Senior Dog Care Programs
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Introduction to Senior Dog Parent Communication
All modules are on-demand, so you can start, pause, and revisit on your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dog Certification Level 1
Are the courses live or prerecorded?
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.
Can I complete the certification at my own pace?
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.
Does this CE make a vet a senior dog specialist?
This certification is designed to help veterinary professionals become senior-dog-focused clinicians with access to advanced training in canine geroscience and practical approaches to caring for elderly dogs.
Certification also helps pet parents find practitioners in their area who continue to dedicate a meaningful portion of their ongoing education to geriatric canine medicine. You can explore the Senior Dog Certified Directory for certified professionals.
At this time, there is no formal specialty in geriatric canine medicine, and this certification does not create one.
How often will I need to take CE to stay in the directory?
To earn Senior Dog Certification, veterinary professionals must successfully complete the Senior Dog Vets online certification courses. Certification must be renewed annually to remain Senior Dog Certified and stay listed in the directory.
How do I renew my membership?
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.
Who can become a member?
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.
Which option is best for me?
Standard Membership
Includes 7 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 14.5 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.
Is this CE appropriate for specialists?
Yes. Our 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. Listen here.
Is any of this CE relatable for cats?
There may be a few crossovers when it comes to aging, but our CE is currently focused on canine research and care. Since cats are a different species, they would benefit from their own dedicated track.
Doctors and staff at my practice are very interested. Are group rates available?
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.