- Fear Free Pets (I am a Fear Free Certified Pet Sitter). Hire professionals who actively work to minimize your pet’s Fear, Anxiety, and Stress.
- Pet Professionals Guild (I am a member)
- Philadelphia Ethical Pet Professionals (I am a member)
The above memberships are not difficult to obtain. However, they do demonstrate my commitment to providing services that are based on a particular set of ethics and standards and that I value continuing education regarding the most modern and humane practices.
Do you know that the field of dog training is unregulated – anyone can call themselves a professional dog trainer or behavior consultant? One possible way to help you find knowledgeable behavior professionals is to look for their certifications. There are several third party certifying bodies that test knowledge and skills. However, some amazing professionals do choose to not participate in certification options because the current leadership and policies of these certifying bodies do not reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion. Below are a few resources to help you understand how to find a professional who values continuing education and methods based in humane science.
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position statements regarding behavior and training methods
- Beyond Cesar Millan – Statements by behavior professionals who oppose the outdated methods of celebrity trainer, Cesar Millan