ONLINE EDUCATION
Code 3 Virtual Academy
Code 3 Trains Every Week
Professional development shouldn’t happen once a year. The Code 3 Virtual Academy provides live, practical online training throughout the year for animal law enforcement and animal welfare professionals.
Choose individual courses, follow a training track, or enroll in the complete Academy.
Build Knowledge. Develop Skills. Strengthen Every Investigation.
Animal law enforcement has become one of the most complex areas of public safety. Today’s professionals must investigate cruelty and neglect, understand veterinary evidence, execute legal processes, document crime scenes, build defensible cases, testify in court, respond to emergencies, and manage increasingly complex investigations involving multiple species.
The Code 3 Virtual Academy provides a structured, year-long professional development program designed specifically for the professionals responsible for protecting animals and serving their communities.
Developed by experienced animal law enforcement professionals, veterinarians, investigators, and emergency response specialists, the Academy combines real-world experience with practical investigative strategies.
A Complete Professional Development Pathway
The Academy delivers a comprehensive professional development pathway through 40 live virtual courses organized into two integrated learning tracks:
Choose individual courses, follow a training track, or enroll in the complete Academy.
Professional Track
Building the Skills Every Investigator Needs
20 Courses | 40 Hours of Continuing Education
The Professional Track establishes the essential legal, investigative, and professional skills required for successful animal law enforcement. Participants learn how to conduct legally sound investigations, document evidence, work with partner agencies, and confidently present cases in court.
Investigations Track
Applying Investigative Skills to Complex Cases
20 Courses | 40 Hours of Continuing Education
The Investigations Track expands upon the Professional Foundations curriculum by applying investigative principles to specialized crimes, complex cases, and species-specific challenges.
Participants learn how legal authority, evidence collection, veterinary knowledge, and investigative techniques come together in advanced animal investigations.
Professional Track Course Topics Include:
- Using AI in Animal Investigations
- Search Warrants
- Search & Seizure
- Crime Scene Photography
- Veterinary Forensic Investigations
- Report Writing
- Field Interviewing Techniques
- Animal Assessments in the Field
- Courtroom Testimony
- Dangerous Dog Investigations
- Rabies, Quarantine & Public Health
- Animal Responder Safety
- Body Condition Scoring
- Veterinary Forensic Photography & Evidence Handling
- Professional Ethics
- Supervisor Leadership
- Field Training Officer Development
- Disaster Response & Animal Strike Teams
Professional Track Recommended For:
- New Animal Control Officers
- Humane Investigators
- Animal Law Enforcement Officers
- Patrol Officers handling animal cases
- Field Training Officers
- Supervisors
- Professionals building investigative confidence
Investigative Track Course Topics Include:
- Equine Investigations: Building Stronger Cases
- Medical Conditions in Equine Abuse Cases
- Animal Nutrition
- K9, Feline & Equine Behavior
- Livestock Husbandry
- Hobby Farm Investigations
- Cockfighting Investigations
- Livestock Investigations
- Exotic Animal Investigations
- Dog Fighting Investigations
- Reptile Cruelty Investigations
- Animal Sexual Abuse Investigations
- Veterinary Forensic Case Studies
- Service Dog Issues
- Hoof Health & Lameness Recognition
- Overturned Livestock Trailers
- Donkey Investigations
- Animal Fire Training, Evacuation & Rescue
Investigative Track Recommended For:
- Experienced Animal Law Enforcement Officers
- Specialized Investigation Units
- Livestock Investigators
- Senior Officers
- Supervisors
- Professionals seeking advanced expertise
How the Tracks Work Together
While each training can be taken as a stand-alone course, the Academy is designed as a
progression.
The Professional Track teaches the investigative framework.
The Investigations Track applies those skills to specialized and complex cases.
By completing both tracks, participants develop the knowledge and confidence to manage
investigations from initial complaint through case resolution.
Train When it Matters. Learn what you need.
Live virtual courses are scheduled throughout the year, allowing you to build skills consistently without leaving your agency for extended training.
Choose a course. Choose a track. Or take the complete Academy.
Start this Fall. Train all year.
Enroll Your Way: Fall Series Pricing & Flexible Registration
Individual Course — $25.50
Take any course that meets your immediate training needs. Includes live instruction, course materials, and certificate of completion.
Professional Track Fall Series Bundle — $99
8 Professional Track courses, new track courses every other Wednesday (excluding holidays) through 2027.
Investigations Track Fall Series Bundle — $99
7 Investigations Track courses, new track courses every other Wednesday (excluding holidays) through 2027.
Fall Series All-Access Pass: Unlock all 14 courses for $198 for the ultimate value. New courses every Wednesday (excluding holidays)!
The Fall Series kicks off the Code 3 Virtual Academy. Explore the available courses, dates, pricing, and class information below.
Using AI in Animal Investigations
Virtual Course
Sep 9 - Sep 9
Common Medical Conditions in Equine Neglect Cases
Virtual Course
Sep 16 - Sep 16
Warrant Preparation for Animal Law Enforcement Officers
Virtual Course
Sep 23 - Sep 23
EAST Module A-Virtual Option
Gastonia North Carolina
Sep 28 - Oct 2
Foundations of Animal Health and Performance
Virtual Course
Sep 30 - Sep 30
EAST Module B-Virtual Option
Golden Valley MN
Oct 5 - Oct 9
Animal Crime Scene Photography
Virtual Course
Oct 7 - Oct 7
Equine Investigations: Building Stronger Cases
Virtual Course
Oct 14 - Oct 14
Search and Seizure: Animal-Focused Investigations
Virtual Course
Oct 21 - Oct 21
Cockfighting Investigations
Virtual Course
Oct 28 - Oct 28
Animal Assessments in the Field
Virtual Course
Nov 4 - Nov 4
EAST Module C-VIrtual Option
Hahnville LA
Nov 9 - Nov 13
Animal Behavior on Scene: Canine, Feline, Equine and Livestock
Virtual Course
Nov 11 - Nov 11
Investigative Report Writing
Virtual Course
Nov 18 - Nov 18
Field Interviews for Animal Law Enforcement
Virtual Course
Dec 2 - Dec 2
Hobby Farm Investigations
Virtual Course
Dec 9 - Dec 9
Veterinary Forensic Investigations Free Training
Virtual Course
Dec 16 - Dec 16
EAST Module A-Virtual
Feb 15 - Feb 19
EAST Module B-Virtual
Feb 22 - Feb 26
EAST Module A
Round Rock Texas
Mar 29 - Apr 2
EAST Module A
Kalamazoo Michigan
Apr 26 - Apr 30
EAST Module C with virtual option
Longmont CO
May 10 - May 14
Summer Special EAST Module A-Virtual
Jun 7 - Jun 11
EAST Module B-Virtual
Jun 30 - Jun 30
EXPERIENCE
“I was pleased with the expertise and firsthand knowledge of the instructors. I’ve learned a lot and was able to go back through cases that I’ve worked picking out what I could have done differently based on this new training.”
—Anna K.