Canine and Feline Nutrition Certificate

"When searching for a course in animal nutrition I stumbled across the Canine and Feline Nutrition Certification course at SIU. I appreciated that it was online and “do it at your own pace”. The content was unbiased and extremely detailed. Dr. Amer AbuGhazaleh was always easy to get in touch with when it came to any course questions or help I needed. I learned so much and really enjoyed the projects in this course. I’m excited to use this new knowledge to help provide the best care for my own animals and hopefully jumpstart my career in the pet food industry. I definitely recommend this course to anyone with interest in the subject!"

Constance Hobbs
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

"After nearly 20 years in vet med, I set out to find a continuing education program. I wanted to achieve a better insight on an area that I would truly benefit from. Not only for myself, but for all of the patients I will be able to better help in the future. I am so grateful for the nutrition course offered by Professor AbuGhazaleh. The deep dive into the physiology behind nutrition really gave me a new insight. It is a well thought out course that addresses some of the bigger aspects of nutrition. The knowledge and skills I gained from this course have been more than I could have imagined. I hope to see this course offered for many years to come. It's a great resource for all who want to gain a better understanding of nutrition."

Nicole Prather

Manito, Illinois

"The Canine and Feline Nutrition certificate program provided exactly what I needed to become more knowledgeable about pet nutrition and diet formulation. The flow of the course, starting with the basics and building upon them, worked well. I appreciated the detailed education on macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, as understanding these requirements is key to formulating a complete and balanced diet. The condition-specific part of the course is also extremely valuable; the conditions selected for coverage in this part of the course are relatively common, and understanding how to manage the dog or cat's nutrition when experiencing these conditions is extremely important. Following this course, I feel confident that I can formulate a complete and balanced homemade diet and that I know how to recognize and correct any deficiencies or surpluses within the formulation."

Amy M. Cyprych

New Kensington, PA

"Words cannot describe how much I fell in love with this program, from the very first part to the last diet formulating. I’ve gained lots of insights and not just knowing "Oh, pets with pancreatitis need low fat diets" but now knowing the reasons behind it. Now, all the food in pet stores looks different to me too, they're no longer "oh this brand is expensive thus better," but I've started to analyze and evaluate the packages using the knowledge I learnt from the course materials. Another plus point worth mentioning is how patient and knowledgeable Professor Amer is—he is always ready to help me whenever I have questions and doesn’t mind explaining further until I finally get it. I would say this program is definitely worth taking if you are a pet parent or anyone who is determined to improve the nutrition welfare of dogs/cats!"

Ivy Wong Shi Ting

Sabah, Malaysia

"As a veterinarian, it was particularly important for me to better understand the impact of nutrition in animal health, particularly dogs and cats, and how to help patients with specific health conditions in a more complete manner. This program has really helped me to enhance my knowledge in small animal nutrition, to better comprehend the role of each nutrient in animal health, how to formulate diets tailored to the patient’s condition, and to make better recommendations to owners on how to feed their pets. I highly recommend this course to anyone working with dogs and cats as it provides a strong foundation for further study and practice in this important field."

Andrea Vela, DMV

Pichincha, Ecuador

"I had some trepidation when I signed up for the Companion Animal Nutrition course. I have a BFA and MA in music, and am employed in the performing arts, so I don't have an extensive background in chemistry and anatomy. However, Dr. AbuGhazaleh has organized this course very well and was always extremely helpful when I had questions about the material. From a class organization standpoint, the material started off with the basics of dog and cat physiology and nutritional needs, then progressed to more advanced topics, such as nutritional needs for pets with serious illnesses. I found the pace was perfect, the extra reading material quite informative, and the slides and Dr. AbuGhazaleh's comprehensive narration and explanations extremely helpful. Even though I don't have an animal science background, I feel that I was able to acquire valuable information that I'll be able to use for the health and benefit of my pets. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in obtaining a more comprehensive knowledge of canine and feline nutrition."

Judy Hayward

Mont Vernon, NH

"I own a small independent pet store, and I took this course because pet parents deserve more than marketing—they deserve the truth. I wanted to move beyond buzzwords and brand brochures and learn the science behind nutrition, so I could offer real guidance that helps animals thrive. This course, taught by Dr. Amer AbuGhazaleh, delivered exactly that. It’s grounded in biology, not industry influence. It was challenging, yes—but also transformative. I came away with sharper insight, stronger confidence, and a deeper commitment to doing right by the pets who count on us. If you care about cutting through the noise and giving animals the best, take this class. It changes everything."

Dave Zanoni

Hartsville, SC

"Completing the K9 and Feline Nutrition Course has been a truly eye-opening experience. The program provided a comprehensive and scientific foundation that has been invaluable for my pet supplement business. I now have the knowledge to confidently identify key nutritional needs and formulate products that are not only effective but also backed by solid research. This course has given me the expertise to ensure my business is built on a foundation of genuine nutritional science."

Voralun Taepaisitphongse

Bangkok, Thailand

“I chose to take this course to deepen my understanding of animal nutrition, building on my background in human clinical dietetics and molecular nutrition here in Japan. This course covered everything from the basics to clinical applications, with a strong emphasis on scientific evidence and theoretical foundations. Compared to other programs I have taken, it was by far the most engaging and motivating. One of the highlights was being able to study at my own pace while balancing work. I also truly appreciated the ability to ask questions at any time and the prompt, thoughtful feedback I received—this made the learning process both reassuring and enjoyable. Moving forward, I feel confident in applying what I’ve learned to help dog owners who struggle with dietary and nutritional concerns for their pets. I’m truly glad I chose this course.”

Kimiko Ito

 Osaka, Japan

“The lessons gave me not only confidence in providing the right nutrition for my own dog, but also a clear and logical way of thinking about healthy diets for dogs with different needs. I often find myself speaking proudly about this course, and most importantly, I feel deeply thankful for all the guidance, advice, and knowledge shared throughout the program. The PPT slides were tremendously helpful in understanding and learning complex topics. Prof. Dr. AbuGhazaleh has always been supportive, with speedy responses and a clear, easily understandable approach. This was my first canine nutrition course, and I chose it because of its strong scientific foundation and the fact that it is offered by a trusted and formal university institution. I am convinced I made the right choice.” 

Peerapond Vente

 Cologne, Germany

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