• “Certification Pet Parents Can Trust”

APRIL 2026

The PACCC Insider
Elevating standards in professional animal care
Spring 2026 Edition

What’s in This Issue?

Welcome to the Spring 2026 PACCC Insider! Inside, you’ll find updates from the pet care industry, highlights of certified professionals, and tools to advance your career.

In This Issue:

  • Message from our new Chair, Jennifer van Garderen
  • Meet the PACCC Board Members
  • Legislative updates shaping pet care
  • PACCC’s role in raising industry standards
  • Recent events & media highlights
  • Certification exams & practice resources
  • Resources for certificants

Let’s Welcome Our NEW Chair, Jennifer van Garderen!

I’m honored to serve as Chair of PACCC and to be part of an organization that plays such an important role in our industry. I’m especially grateful to be working alongside our newly appointed Vice Chair, Sami Engle. Sami brings a strong perspective and passion, and together we are committed to continuing to move the organization forward in meaningful ways.

My career in pet care began when I was 17, and I’ve been with the same family-owned business ever since. That experience shaped my respect for this profession, the people who dedicate their lives to it, and the responsibility we all share to continually raise the standards of care.

That is what led me to join the PACCC Board three years ago. I saw an organization with a strong foundation, a clear mission, and the opportunity to expand its impact. At its core, PACCC promotes third-party certification. That means more than just credentials, It’s about creating trust, consistency, and professionalism.

Supporting the work of PACCC is an all-volunteer, working Board of Directors made up of dedicated professionals who bring diverse experience and a shared commitment to this mission. Together, we will continue to strengthen PACCC and expand its reach in ways that support the future of our industry.

Thank you for being part of PACCC!

Jennifer van Garderen, CPACO

Chair, PACCC Board of Directors

Meet our PACCC Board Members

Get to know the professionals driving PACCC’s mission forward!

Legislation Updates

Federal – USDA Chronic Dog Welfare Violators Initiative

Status (February 2026): Newly introduced enforcement initiative

  • Launched by the USDA in coordination with federal agencies to address repeat violators of the Animal Welfare Act. 
  • Focus: Stricter enforcement, inspections, removal of repeat violators

For more details on the newly introduced USDA Chronic Dog Welfare Violators Initiative, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Massachusetts – “Ollie’s Law” (H.4919)

Status (2026): Implementation phase underway

  • Signed into law in ‘24; state regulations are being developed and rolled out through ‘26
  • Rules for daycare/boarding: licensing, inspections, safety caps, injury reporting

This is the first major U.S. law directly regulating daycare/boarding operations. For more details on “Ollie’s Law” (H.4919), visit the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. 

New York – Safe Pet Boarding Act (S.8510 / A.9123) 

Status (2026): Active / Under consideration

  • Legislation has been introduced and is currently under review by state lawmakers. 
  • Would create licensing, inspections, staff training, and enforceable standards

If passed, New York would become one of the next major states to implement structured oversight of pet care facilities. For more details on the Safe Pet Boarding Act (S.8510 / A.9123), visit the New York State Senate Bill. 

Rising Standards & PACCC’s Role

Events

ODD Ball 2026 – January 19th – 22nd, Nashville, TN

PACCC was proud to attend the Owners of Dog Daycares Ball, a global community supporting dog daycare operators through education and collaboration. We connected with industry leaders, shared the value of certification, and hosted a Certification Exam Giveaway thanks to IBPSA’s generous sponsorship.

Congratulations to our winners:

  • Heather Wegner (AZ) – Operator
  • Alanna Fischer (MI) – Manager
  • Sharon Gerson (MA) – Provider

We applaud these professionals for advancing their knowledge and helping raise the standard of care for pets everywhere. 

UPCOMING:

PACCC in the Media 

In the Jan/Feb issue of Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazine, our 2025 PACCC Founders Award winner,  Jennifer Wolf-Pierson, shares why pet care is more than a job -it’s a career. In her article, “Work, Grow, Stay: Creating Careers in the Pet Industry,” she dives into the importance of ongoing education, professional development, and creating opportunities for team members to grow within their roles. Jennifer highlights how investing in people not only strengthens individual teams, but also elevates the pet care industry as a whole.

We are also thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the PACCC Board, where she brings fresh energy, leadership, and valuable expertise to help advance our mission and continue raising the standard of professionalism in pet care.

Don’t miss this must-read feature! Click HERE to read now! 

Exams

2026 Exam Dates 

  • May 2 – 16, 2026 (exam registration deadline is April 1)
  • November 7 – 21, 2026 (exam registration deadline is October 9)

Learn more at paccert.org/exam-info.

Practice Exams

If you are planning on testing this year, the practice exams are a fantastic way to prepare. Each exam gives you the opportunity to:

  • Review content and question formats
  • Identify areas to strengthen

For more information, visit paccert.org/practice-exams.

Current Certified Professionals

Stay Connected:

Recertification:

  • We know some pros are due to recertify soon! Check out our website for updated instructions on how to recertify, and message us with any questions!
  • How to Recertify: https://paccert.org/recertification/

CEU Updates:

Sponsor Highlights 

We also want to give a GIANT shoutout to all of our current sponsors and thank them for supporting PACCC’s mission!

 

Thank you to our certified professionals for helping us raise the standard of care across the pet industry! Stay certified, stay connected, and continue growing your professional skills!