Crisis Response Canine team sitting in a helicopter; noise and foreign situations are part of crisis response canine training.

Canis Minor™ Mentorship

The Canis Minor Mentorship is an intensive hybrid training program where 'Canis Minors' in-training are mentored by experienced 'Canis Majors' while developing the specialized skills needed to safely support people experiencing intense emotions after a crisis. The program combines guided mentorship, practical exercises, and real-world preparedness training to help participants build confidence, emotional resilience, and professional response capabilities.

Crisis response canine in training with a fully geared up firefighter kneeling down to interact as its handler reassures it.

What You’ll learn

  • The psychological and behavioral considerations of crisis.
  • Advanced canine handling and critical incident access skills.
  • Stress management, self-care and teamwork.
  • FEMA Incident Command and phases of the disaster cycle.
  • Community partnering and outreach.
  • Technology for responders.
Yellow letter 'N' with an orange running fox silhouette.

Reach a New Standard of Excellence

  • Developed by NATIONAL over decades, Canis Minor Mentorship™ is the first comprehensive mentorship for training crisis response canine teams.
  • NATIONAL’s curriculum exceeds the requirements set forth in 'The National Standards for Animal Assisted Crisis Response' (rev2010).
  • The curriculum is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and continuously updated to include the latest research and most current emergency management guidance.
German Shepherd cheek to cheek with its handler wearing a National Crisis Response Canines uniform.

Handler Prerequisites

  • Successful completion of Get Started program.
  • FEMA ICS-100 Certification.
  • Psychological First Aid Certification.
  • Adults Children and Infants First Aid and CPR Certification.
Smiling golden retriever in National Crisis Response Canine harness.

Canine Prerequisites

  • Member of handler’s household for minimum of 6 months.
  • Willing to work with unfamiliar people.
  • 18 months old (minimum age).
  • Any breed or mix breed.
  • Tolerant or disinterested in unfamiliar dogs.
  • Tolerant of unfamiliar dogs in close proximity (less than 3 feet away).
  • Walks on loose leash at the handler's pace.
  • Able to focus on handler regardless of distractions.
  • Current with rabies vaccinations (or titers per state/local laws).
  • Negative for Fecal Parasite Test (within past 90 days).
  • Provided health and wellness care by a veterinarian (DVM).
Celestial map featuring Artistic illustration of Canis Minor & Canis Major constellations with Orion, the hunter, nearby.

Honoring a Legendary Bond

'Canis Minor' and 'Canis Major' reference the 'Little Dog' and 'Big Dog' constellations in the night sky. We use these names to honor the special relationship between humans and dogs, as immortalized by the ancient Greeks when they placed the hunter Orion and his dogs together in the heavens for all eternity.

Little dog in Crisis Response Canine gear including goggles and harness with logos.

Learn More

Learn more in our learning portal and get registered for Canis Minor course and more in the link below. Hurry, spots fill quickly! Remember, Get Started is a prerequisite.

Learn More & Sign Up