TACA Quick Links

TACA Recommended Certification/CE Training Policy

TACA CERTIFICATION SERVICE

Texas Department of State Health Services 2008 Educational Website Link

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As you know, Chapter 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code says that a person cannot perform the duties of an animal control officer unless the person has completed a basic animal control course not later than one year after beginning those duties.  Certified peace officers are exempt from this training requirement.

The law also indicates that DSHS Zoonosis staff will check for compliance with this training requirement when the staff visit shelters or animal control officers (ACOs) or inspect quarantine facilities (Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and associated rules).  In order to determine compliance, our Zoonosis staff will need to see one of these: 

1. A certificate of satisfactory completion of a DSHS- approved ACO basic course.
2. Documentation that the person is a certified peace officer.  (Note:  Though certified peace officers are exempt from this training requirement, we do recommend that they attend a basic course in order for them to become familiar with the laws that pertain to animal issues.)
3. A letter from a supervisor stating the person is exempt from the training requirement because his/her primary duties are not animal control.
4. Documentation that the employee has been doing animal control duties for less than 12 months.
5. Documentation that the county where your facility is located has adopted an order exempting the county from Chapter 829.

Please be sure to keep these documents (or copies of them) at the shelter or at your primary office so they will be easy for us to review when we inspect or visit.   If your shelter is required to be inspected by a for-hire veterinarian (Ch. 823 and 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code), the veterinarian will also be checking for this documentation. Having the documents readily accessible will make life easier for all concerned. 

Chapter 829 also mandates continuing education (CE) for ACOs.  Be sure to keep records of all DSHS-approved CE courses, meetings, or seminars you attend so you can easily demonstrate that you are meeting the CE requirements of the law.

Thanks,

Your Zoonosis Staff

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2008 West Texas Seminar, Midland, TX August 4 & 5 Euthanasia Training August 5 & 6 for more information (PDF) Seminar 11 CEU's  Euthanasia Course 11.5 CEU's DSHS Approved

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Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators – Level I

Odessa, Texas

August 22-24, 2008

 For more information on either of these courses, visit www.animalcrueltyinvestigations.com.

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Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators – Level II

Angleton, Texas

September 22-26, 2008

For more information on either of these courses, visit www.animalcrueltyinvestigations.com.

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Updated Information about ACO Training!

The new, revised, hot-off-the-press printed copy of the DSHS ACO training manual is available for you to purchase from your local DSHS Regional Zoonosis Control office. 

This new version is significantly different from the previous editions of the manual.  In addition to updates in information, it contains the major statutes and rules of interest to animal control officers and animal shelters. 

Each law is updated with the revisions passed by the state legislature in 2007. 

If you plan to attend a DSHS, ACO Basic Training Course in the near future, you will be pleased to hear it is still a two day course for the very same low price of $75.00 as before!

Now is the time to purchase or download an updated ACO manual prior to attending the course for your review. As soon as the updated manual is posted on the DSHS website, you may download it for free as you have in the past! 

To download a copy of the manual, check the website at;

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis/education/training/aco/manual/onLine/

Wait patiently for the updated ACO manual to be posted on that DSHS web-site in the near future.

New lower price:

The printed ACO Manual cost is $40.00; DSHS will not charge state sales tax as previously stated. 

How to obtain a manual:

1. Complete an ACO manual order form which can be obtained online at;

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis/education/training/aco/manual/order/

The DSHS Manual order form on line is in PDF format and is specific to your DSHS regional office. To view the order form for your DSHS regional office, click on the county you live or work in and it will take you to the proper regional order form.

 (I have attached a word DOC order form for the use of stakeholders in DSHS Region 2/3)

2. Mail the manual order form, and a check for $40.00 to the DSHS Zoonosis office in your region, and a hardcopy will be mailed to you ASAP.

3. Remember please remit payment by check or money orders only please.  They should be payable to Texas Department of State Health Services.

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The newly-revised Texas ACO Training Manual is now available online:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis/education/training/aco/manual/onLine/

Additionally, the updated Texas animal laws are available at:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis/laws/rules/

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