CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Meet Steven Parker, CPACO

Steven Parker co-founded K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel in 2005 and serves as its Co-Chief Executive Officer. Steven is a serial entrepreneur, visionary leader, nationally renowned pet care expert, and public speaker. In his impressive career, Steven has founded several different companies, launched a national franchise, and completed an award-winning, multi-million dollar private equity transaction. He regularly speaks at national conferences and universities on the topics of business, pet care, and entrepreneurship. Steven has appeared or been featured in Fox Business, CNBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. He strives to help and motivate others and give back to the community in the best ways possible. His tireless efforts and countless charitable contributions have earned him recognition by the Mayor of Fanwood, New Jersey, the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, and the United States Congress.

PACCC: How did you find out about PACCC?

I found out about PACCC at an IBPSA conference and have been impressed by the concept and the association from day one.

PACCC: What was your motivation for becoming PACCC certified? 

PACCC filled a much-needed gap in the pet care industry. Previously, virtually anyone could enter this industry and call themselves a “professional” but PACCC has provided a long-needed way for true professionals to set themselves apart.

PACCC: Has being certified made a change to your business?

I feel that being certified will have a very beneficial effect on my business. PACCC Certification provides pet owners with peace of mind, knowing that an independent body has confirmed the experience and knowledge of their certified individuals.

PACCC: Is there anything you’d like to add?

I would like to thank the founders, board members, and volunteers that have all selflessly contributed to the creation and success of PACCC and the advancement of the Pet Care Industry.

Meet Sudee Schnuerer, CPACP

PACCC: How did you find out about PACCC?

At the time I started certification, I was working as a daycare attendant and trainer at a doggy daycare. The owner there expressed interest in this certification, so we both began the process.

PACCC: Has being certified made a change to your business?

I do not currently own my own business, however, being certified gives an added level of credibility and comfort to your clientele that you know what you’re doing, care enough about them and their pets to obtain said certification, and can feel confident in your work, which then bleeds into overall client rapport and retention, which greatly affects your business.

PACCC: Why do you feel that certification is important in the pet care/pet services industry?

With so few barriers to entry, the pet care/services industry can get extremely saturated. Because it’s over-saturated, it can be difficult to find the highest quality facilities and people to trust with your pet. Having programs and organizations like PACCC that are doing this work to pioneer these sorts of credentials are important for the future of this industry and the overall well-being of pets.
From a client’s perspective, knowing what questions to ask and what to look for when searching for high-quality care for their pets is important, and I feel PACCC is doing a wonderful job at leading the way on this front.

PACCC: How did you tell your friends, family, customers, etc. that you obtained your PACCC certification?

Social media posts to congratulate the newly certified, lots of word of mouth, and certification hung up in the facility for incoming clients to see. I love sharing my wins, and reveling in the wins of those closest to me! Collaborating and celebrating one another in this industry is important, and I love that feeling of community.                                                                                                                                     

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Our Newly Certified Professionals!

The following are those who joined the PACCC after passing an exam during the November 2023 exam cycle:

Professional Animal Care Operator Exam

Ryan Bauman, Zachary Gould, Kristen Norris, Steven Parker

Professional Animal Care Manager Exam

Jana Andersone, Nichole Matthews, Lindsey Ohlin, Leonard Sampson

Professional Animal Care Provider Exam

Janie Budnick, Claire Chaplin, Taylor Clar, Karen Goralczyk, Melinda Metcalf, Corey Mostowchuk, Sylvia Ortiz, Brian Remo, Kevin Russell, Caitlyn Sikora, Andrew Taylor, Krista Utsch

Thank you for your commitment to the safety and well-being of pets in your care. We are happy to have you as #partofthepaccc!

Welcome to our New Board Members!

We are thrilled to be welcoming three new members to our Board of Directors for 2024. Welcome (from left to right) Rich Schlatter, Sami Engle, and Jennifer van Garderen,! Read about each at paccert.org/about.

CURRENT CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS

If you are currently certified with PACCC, ensure you have joined our private Facebook group and that your information is up-to-date in our Certified Directory. To modify your personal information, click here. 

Recertification Reminder

Several Certificates expire this June and May 31 is the deadline to submit your recertification application. Visit paccert.org/recertification to get started on the recertification process! 

Reimbursement for Marketing Materials 

PACCC is currently offering a reimbursement program (up to $250 USD) to certified professionals who are interested in printing our marketing materials, such as the PACCC banner, for use at trade shows or their place of business. These resources can be found on the private Facebook group or the PACCC Portal.

New CEU Opportunities

We recently added several hours of CEU-approved content! Check out Dominic Hodgson’s program, The Pet Biz Wiz (Pet Business Marketing), and its 11.5 hours of approved content, as well as the Dog Handler Academy, which now has a total of 25 CEU hours. Visit paccert.org/ceu-approved to see details. 

CEU UPDATES

Log CEUs on the go with the PACCC App!

The PACCC Portal makes it easier for certified professionals to track their CEUs. The platform saves the information you input so you don’t need to try and remember past CEU programs when you go to recertify. You can access the PACCC Portal on the Mobile app, which is a great way to add your CEUs on the go! Learn more at paccert.org/paccc-mobile-app.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Kuranda 

Kuranda has had the honor of being the top bedding choice of pet care professionals for more than 30 years. Through the relationships we’ve developed with our professional customers, we’ve become very invested in the whole industry. While we may not be pet care professionals ourselves, we are certainly pet people and care very much that the quality of pet care is held to a high level. The standardization of pet care is extremely important to us for a number of reasons. First of all, as pet parents, we want to know that there are resources available to us through PACCC for understanding how to choose a good trainer, kennel, etc. for our own pets. Professionally, a high level of care is important because we want our products to be used by the leaders in the industry. Anything we can do to support that is extremely important to us.

*The left photo is from On Holladay Dog Training & Boarding, the middle photo is from Wild Acre Kennels, and the right photo is from Smart K9 Training.