August 2020 

Certified Professional Spotlight – Meet Merit Day!

I started a dog training business Top Dog Training in 2004. I had just completed the online curriculum Dog Trainer / Instructor Program from Penn Foster University. I constructed a small 30×20 barn on my private property and started teaching classes. At the time, my goal

was to create an income and an in-home business I could do while being home raising my two young children. In 2006 I moved to the next town over, relocated the family, remodeled the 35×55 two story building contained on our new property and continued the business. I converted it to a kennel and training room with other features specific to the business. I operated here until 2018. During that time, I gained experience, knowledge, and a bigger dream. From 2016 to 2018 I began to plan for and compile details for a full-service facility sometime in the future. That is when I attended multiple conferences and prepared for the CPACP exam. I searched for just the right property. The new facility was designed and built. I changed the name to Top Dog Ranch and have been open since November 2018.

PACCC: What was your motivation for becoming a CPACP?
My motivation for becoming a CPACP was based on wanting to learn and be prepared for the opening of my expansion of my dog training business into a full-service facility. In the planning and development process I wanted to study and learn as much as I could. The expectations to succeed at the test pushed me and provided me with a guideline of what topics are important.

PACCC: Has being certified made a change to your business?
I am not sure if being certified has made a change in my business. It did make a change in myself. I became educated, prepared, and confident I would maintain a safe facility with quality care. I also feel it set a great example to my staff. I want what we do to be treated like a profession. I want my workers to be aware their knowledge, training, and certification are assets for them.

PACCC: Would you recommend certification to other pet care professionals?

Yes, I would recommend certification to other pet care professionals because it is a wealth of information based on experiences of many qualified people. Having access and wanting to learn from them is what the certification process allows. You set yourself on the path of continually learning. You want to pursue excellence, and this gives you a path and a measurement point.

PACCC: What are some of the courses, books, websites, etc., that you found most valuable when preparing to take the PACCC Exam?
I read and attended seminars in preparation for my certification. I obtained materials from The Dog Gurus, and the library of the IBPSA. I took the IBPSA Canine Care Specialist certification exam IBPSA. I also took an online pet first aid course. I also read two books on managing employees. I attended the annual IBPSA conference and the ODD Ball conference.

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on the support of individuals and organizations to assist PACCC in spreading the word about the importance of obtaining independent certification in the pet care industry. Which is why we would love to share with you some information about these generous organizations that believe in PACCC’s mission and vision. Meet…

Pet Tech is a long-time supporter of PACCC by increasing awareness about the importance of independent certification through the distribution of PACCC materials to pet professionals and pet parents around the globe.

With a series of well-established courses geared to “Improving the Quality of Pets’ Lives, One Pet Parent at a Time”™, Pet Tech is a premiere education provider with several of their courses already approved for the PACCC CEU program. Whether it’s their full 8-hour PetSaver Program, 5+ hour Pet First Aid & CPR Course, the 90-minute Hiking & Walking class, or the comprehensive 3-day Pet Tech Instructor Training, the information is up to date and easy to understand and remember. Look for a listing of available PetTech courses near you on their website https://pettech.net.

Don’t see a course near you? PetTech Instructors are so committed to getting the education into the pet community that they may be available to travel to your area to conduct a session tailored to your group’s needs as pet parents or pet care professionals. Just ask!

PACCC sincerely thanks Thom, Cindy and the entire Pet Tech family for their ongoing daily support of PACCC!

 

Exam Update

Fall Exam Window

The next exam window is from November 7-21, 2020, with the deadline to register being October 15, 2020. For more information about registration, visit the PACCC website at paccert.org/exam-info/.

Practice Exams

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

• Review the type of content included on the actual exam
• Learn more about question format, style, and level of difficulty
• Assess any areas of weakness

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

Congratulations to Our Newly Certified Professionals!

We are so proud of the 11 people who got certified in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A HUGE congratulations goes out to the following fabulous pet professionals!

Certified Professional Animal Care Manager

• Julie Chamness, Belleville MI
• Rebecca Michael, Mobile AL

Certified Professional Animal Care Provider

• Kylie Brown, Baltimore MD
• Christian Moore, Severna Park MD
• Whitney Patterson, Maryville TN
• Benjamin Royal, Regina SK, Canada

Certified Professional Animal Care Operator

• Nichole Bennett, Tacoma WA
• Samanatha Engle, Middleburg VA
• Patrick Flynn, Washington D.C.
• Amy Hillis, Charlotte NC
• Jonathon Nisula, Beacon Falls CT

Congratulations to those who are now #saferinapaccc! Your dedication to the Pet Care industry is inspirational and we hope you shout your accomplishment from the rooftops!

 

Best Practices Session

On Tuesday, August 18th, PACCC played host to a wonderful group of Certified Pet Care Professionals who joined us on the first-ever live PACCC Best Practices session. The topic that was up for discussion was Best Practices for Leveraging your Certification for your Business. We shared ideas on how some of our Certified Professionals have marketed their certification within their facilities, business and their communities. Due to the wonderful response during and after the call, PACCC has decided to keep this going for all of our Certified Professionals on a bi-monthly basis! If you have a topic that you would like to see discussed in a Best Practices format, we would love to hear from you. Send your Best Practices topics and we’ll add them to our list. Spread the word so we can continue to grow our network of Certified Pet Care Professional and learn from one another. The recording is posted on our private FB page for PACCC Certified Professionals Only – just one more reason to join the PACCC by becoming certified in the pet care industry.

 

Upcoming Webinars:

September 9 at 3pm Eastern – Recent Trends in the Pet Care Industry

PACCC is absolutely thrilled to announce that our September Webinar with be none other than Carmen Rustenbeck, Founder and CEO of the International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA). Carmen is excited to talk to our attendees about recent trends happening in the pet care industry, what to expect in the first quarter of 2021, how to get the most out of an IBPSA membership and the upcoming IBPSA Conference sessions. There may even be a few more surprises that you won’t want to miss. Click Here to Register for the Webinar

 

Events

IBPSA Conference 2020

Stop into our virtual booth at the IBPSA Conference! Your PACCC Board of Directors and other Certified Professionals want to meet you face to face and this virtual conference has the capability to make it happen. With the use of video technology, you can meet face to face (albeit not in person) to ask us questions about PACCC and our mission to make pet care safer across the globe. If you believe that you are good at what you do as a pet care provider, manager, or operator and that you truly know how to provide skilled care for your furry clients, then NOW is the time to prove it by taking the PACCC Exam and joining the group of certified pet care professionals who are striving to improve themselves, their business and the pet care industry.

 

CEU Updates

Are you up for recertification this year? Did your certification expire in March or June? If so, we have good news – the recertification deadline for ALL certifications that expire in 2020 (including those that expired in March), has been extended! Applications for recertification can now be submitted until November 30. Note that if applications are submitted in December, the testing organization charges a late fee.

For more information on the recertification process, including the Recertification Handbooks and Applications, visit paccert.org/recertification/

Need CEUs to recertify?

• The IBPSA Conference 2020 has more than 30 sessions that have been approved for PACCC CEUs and you have access to all of the sessions until March 31, 2021 to accumulate those CEUs to submit for recertification. Register now at petcareconference.com/register/
• Submit exam questions for consideration for future exams. Write 5 approved questions for ongoing PACCC exams (3 CEUs). Note: A maximum of 6 CEUs can be earned by writing exam questions in any recertification period. Submitted questions must be approved by the Exam Committee and submitted at least 60 days prior to certification expiration to earn CEUs. Get in touch with us at info@paccert.org to find out how to submit your questions.
• Are you taking a local pet care educational course? If so, you can submit a request to have it PACCC approved for CEUs. Just click paccert.org/attendee-app/
• PACCC Committee participation for a minimum of a one-year period (5 CEUs).
• Completion of the practice exam for your appropriate level of certification (2 CEUs).
• Volunteer work experience at a shelter, rescue group, or animal rescue organization may be submitted to the CEU Committee for review and approval of CEUs based on work description and length of time. (Approved volunteer hours are 1 CEU per 8 hours of volunteering.) To request CEUs for volunteer activity, please submit via the online form Verification Form paccert.org/verification/
• Reviewed and approved by the PACCC CEU Committee authorship of:

1. An article in a recognized pet care industry publication (2 CEUs)
2. An educational book less than 300 pages (20 CEUs)
3. An educational book more than 300 pages (40 CEUs)

• Check out our list of “already PACCC approved” CEU opportunities at paccert.org/ceu-approved/

 

Get Involved

Board of Directors Nominations

Annually the PACCC nominating committee solicits candidates to join our board of directors. Board terms are for three years and, in most cases, service begins in January.

The Board of Directors exists to secure and promote the financial, legal and ethical wellbeing of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) and to ensure that it fulfills its mission. Board members must be able to regularly participate and contribute to PACCC business.

We are currently accepting applications for three board positions to begin service in January 2021.

2019 Nomination Process & Timeline

September 1 – 15 – Application window
September 15 – Last day to submit application form
September 16 – 22 – Nominating Committee members interview candidates
September 25 – Board Candidates announced (all applicants will be notified via email the status of their application)
October 8 – Existing Board of Directors make final selection of new board members

Board Member Qualifications

• Advocate for professional certification
• Be a current PACCC certificant or plan to sit for exam within 6 months of joining the board
• Be actively involved in the animal care industry, having held a paying position in the last six months, preferably over three years of experience
• Commitment to animal care excellence and raising industry standard of care
• Excellent communication skills
• Invests in ongoing learning personally and for all staff
• Open to new ideas and sharing to improve industry’s overall performance
• Proven business skills

Submission Process

(1) Review “Board of Directors – Duties, Qualifications and Responsibilities” PDF to gain an understanding of board member responsibilities to assess if board service is a good fit for you.

(2) Complete the online PACCC Board Candidate Application Form & Board Service Questionnaire. Note: You will be required to upload a resume and three (3) letters of professional reference upon submitting the application form.

(3) Review the documents below to ensure agreement and compliance in the event you are selected as a board member. (You do not submit copies of these documents with your application.)

• Code of Ethics
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Nondisclosure Agreement

We appreciate your consideration of service on the PACCC board. Submit any questions you have on service or the submission process to info@paccert.org.

We would also like to take a moment to recognize those PACCC Board Members who are completing their term and will be leaving the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2020. These dedicated individuals have given so much of their time, passion and skill by serving tirelessly on the PACCC Board of Directors throughout the ongoing growth of the council itself and the creation of all 3 exams (Provider, Manager and Operator levels). Much of what PACCC has been able to achieve can be attributed to the hard work of Anna Torres-Radle, Angie Pickren and Beth Jones. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to each of these ladies for their commitment, dedication and hard work over the past several years that has brought PACCC to where it is today. The pet care industry thanks you!

May 2020 

Certified Professional Spotlight – Meet Stephanie Brooks!

 

PACCC: What was your motivation for becoming a CPACM? 

It was incredibly important to me to become a certified professional because in South Carolina we are an unregulated industry. PACCC encompasses practices and standards of care that we have done as a business since our inception in 2011. I am excited to be part of an organization that helps hold pet care services to such a high standard.

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

Many things that certification required I be knowledgeable about were already things our business was emphasizing, but in studying for the exam I did learn quite a few things about health that have been very useful.

PACCC: Would you recommend certification to other pet care professionals?

Absolutely. Becoming certified is a fabulous way to show your clients how much their dogs mean to you. Maintaining certification requires you to be learning and brushing up on the latest advances and recommendations.

PACCC: What are some of the courses, books, websites, etc., that you found most valuable when preparing to take the PACCC Exam?

The requirement that you have over 4,000 hours in the business was definitely helpful! I love immersing myself in webinars and books to continue my education. Reading up on dog body language and off leash play by Dog Gurus were good resources. Putting those into practice by observing and managing groups of dogs over the years was invaluable. Having a mentor to ask questions of when starting out was a great help. And the practice exams offered were invaluable. Those show you where you might need a little additional studying prior to the exam. (I needed more studying in accounting – it’s not my favorite!)

Website: Since Tail Lights Dogs’ beginnings, Stephanie Brooks has been instrumental in making the vision come alive. She has worked alongside Tail Lights’ founder Mira Jones in all aspects of managing and decision making, excelling each step of the way!

Through her knowledge of dog care and behavior, along with exceptional customer service, Stephanie personifies the mission of Tail Lights Dogs. She continues the mission: to provide a safe, welcoming facility, in which our clients may rest assured their dogs are carefully supervised, positively trained and warmly loved during all stages of their lives.

 

PACCC Supporter Profile

We want to recognize Gingr for their dedication to creating certification pet parents can trust! Gingr has been a great friend to PACCC over the years and has played a key role in our success. 

Not only is Gingr a user-friendly dog daycare, kennel and grooming software, but they are also a great supporter of our industry. They are passionate about pets, pet care business and the smooth running of pet-care businesses. They believe being certified in animal care sets you apart as a professional employee in the pet-care industry. They also share in the belief that your peers, employers and customers will recognize you more as a professional with skills and comprehensive knowledge of how to care for pets. Both PACCC and Gingr feel that this level of knowledge will help you earn more, manage the risks of your job and help build the reputation of the company you work for or own. Also, did you know – If you are a Gingr software user, you receive a 10% discount on PACCC exam registration?!

 

Other Support

A sincere thank you to those who donated to our 10 days of Love Campaign. Together, we were able to raise $1,525 to assist with the almost $10,000 in fees we have incurred with changing testing organizations. Thank you to the following: 

Kari Campbell, Katy Cushing, Stephanie Shipley, Judy Breton, Dave and Jess Zellmer, Jamie Engerdahl, Beth Jones, Alex McKinnon, Michele Ziomek, Barbara Noll, Carmen Rustenbeck and the two anonymous donors. 

PACCC would also like to send a special thanks to those individuals or businesses who have chosen to become monthly supporters. The option of contributing a smaller monthly donation makes it easier to become a PACCC Sponsor. Thank you to Kari Campbell at Dog Tired Daycare in Alaska, USA, Katy Cushing at A Closer Bond in Illinois, USA, and Stephanie Shipley at Paw & Order in New Brunswick, Canada.

 

COVID-19 Updates

The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused great stress for the pet care industry. During these difficult times, Pet Care Providers need to stick together. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of knowledgeable resources to help assist with navigating through the challenges of our new normal.

US Government Response to COVID-19

Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources

Paycheck Protection Program Information

Coronavirus Relief Funding Options

Small Business Guide – Coronavirus Emergency Loans

COVID-19 Pet Industry Rssources Provided by IBPSA

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

COVID-19 and Pet Care Businesses: The Essential Guide(Gingr)

 

Exam Update

In March, testing centers worldwide shut down, leading to the rescheduling of many PACCC exams. 
If you were affected by the closures and have yet to reschedule your exam, please contact Prometric at prometric.com/contact-us.

For the latest information on site closures, click here.

Congratulations!

Two individuals were able to sit for the Certified Provider exam prior to the closing of testing centers. We are excited to announce that both of these individuals have passed! Congratulations to Zoe Hunter from New Brunswick, Canada, and Sabine Maarse from Ontario, Canada! We are ecstatic that you are now #partofthepaccc!

 

Have time to Study?

If your business has slowed due to the current pandemic, you may find yourself with extra time on your hands. This is the perfect excuse to start thinking about sitting for a PACCC exam! Not sure where to start? Study Groups, Practice Exams and other resources can be found at paccert.org/paccc-prep/

 

Upcoming Webinars

Don’t miss out! Our next free educational webinar, presented by The Dog Gurus, is on Thursday May 7th at 11am EST. Register here: bit.ly/PACCCWebinar

This session is called ‘How to Avoid Pet Tragedies in Your Pet Care Business’ and The Dog Gurus are giving away a FREE BONUS ITEM to those who attend the live session! 🤩

Make sure to register ASAP as there are limited seats! Remember, all of our webinars count towards one PACCC CEU! 🐾

 

Events

Rebound, Rebuild, Recover Virtual Conference 

PACCC was fortunate to host a virtual booth at this Dog Gurus event that took place virtually on April 29th and 30th.  Thank you to those who were able to stop by our booth! PACCC would also like to thank The Dog Gurus for their continued support! 

 

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January 2020

 

Certified Professional Spotlight – Jamie Engerdahl

Jamie and her husband of 24 years, Corey, along with their 2 wonderful grown kids, are a military family who have spent their fair share of time on a ‘wild animal’ journey. Jamie started her animal journey in the mid 1990’s working and volunteering in local animal shelters while becoming a Veterinary Assistant and working towards becoming a Veterinary Technician. She is now a Certified Dog Trainer specializing in Behavior Modification, Aggression and Separation Anxiety.

For the last 16 years, providing education within her communities on the topics of Canine Enrichment and Dog/Child Safety has been her mission and passion. As a military family, Jamie moves around the country often which has allowed her the privilege to share her vast knowledge with many communities.

Jamie was excited to learn that there was finally a third-party certification for professionals working in Boarding/Daycare facilities and jumped at the opportunity to become a Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP) in 2018.

Jamie says, “It (third-party certification) was important to me because, as a pet parent myself, I am always looking to hire those that go above and beyond ‘standards’ for my own furry family members. This is how I stumbled upon Paw & Order and it’s amazing facility.”

Jamie has a strong passion for certification and says, “I personally think this certification needs to be mandatory for so many obvious reasons…safety for both human and animals, higher standards, accountability and responsibility, community growth and education….and so much more!”

This year Jamie joined the wonderful group of PACCC Volunteers and became the moderator of the Facebook Provider Level Study Group. She took on this role to help spread awareness and to motivate potential candidates to “keep raising the bar”. Jamie has really enjoyed her role as a PACCC volunteer and says that “Learning about everyone’s skills, abilities and passions has been so heartwarming and I’ve enjoyed every single part of it so far.”

She is very excited to see PACCC grow even more in the new year and years to come!

Welcome to the PACCC Jamie! We are so glad you’re here!!

 

PACCC Supporter Profile

Meet Cheerful Dogs

Long-term supporters of PACCC, cheerfuldogs.com and cheerfuldogswalking.com (located in Singapore) are currently our 2019 joint Silver Sponsor. Dog Behavior Consultant Nee Kang (Ph.D., CDBC, CPDT-KA, CCFT, CSAT, CPACP, CPACM, CPACO, Fear Free Certified Professional), Founder and Chief Education Officer of cheerfuldogs.com, has served on the PACCC board, contributing her expertise as well as unbounded energy and enthusiasm to the Council. She’s currently also a 2019 Bronze Sponsor. Certified Singapore dog-walker and pet-sitter Jeffrey Lee (Ph.D., CDW, CPPS), owner of cheerfuldogswalking.com, believes strongly in the value of professional certification. Besides earning additional certificates in first aid from Dogsafe and Canine Pet Care Provider from IBPSA, he is preparing to take the PACCC exam.

Why is independent certification important? Nee stresses its critical role in identifying trusted pet care services for the discerning pet parent, while Jeff feels it will help promote evidence-based best practices in the industry for the benefit of dogs and their guardians.

As professionals, continuing education is a priority for both Nee and Jeff. Nee works closely with clients who often struggle to understand their dog’s behavior – from puppy stuff to the challenges of growing up, and behavior challenges in senior and special needs dogs. Continuing education from credible and reputable sources allows her to bring the knowledge and skills from best practices in the pet care industry to her clients and their family dogs. To better cater to the safety, as well as physical and mental wellbeing of his charges, continuing education allows Jeff to continually upgrade his knowledge and skills to deliver the best service to owners and their dogs. Nee and Jeff are 2018 Nominees in the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) Annual Writing Competition, for excellence in the category of Online Article Behavior and Training, for their article,

Nee Kang, Jeffrey Lee & Nan Arthur – Through Thick and Thin: Caring For and Training Companion Dogs with Disabilities – IAABC Journal, Summer 2018

Check out the websites of cheerfuldogs.com and cheerfuldogswalking.com to find out how high standards of professionalism and best industry practices make Cheerful Dogs, Happy People!

 

IBPSA Petcare Conference, Fredericton Pet Expo and Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo East

We had a great time visiting with pet care professionals from around the world over the last few months. In early Fall, PACCC was in Palm Springs, CA, for the IBPSA Petcare Conference.

Click here for a video interview with PACCC Pet Parent Board Member, Tara Crouse.

speak with some current Certified Professionals and meet with many others who are looking to join the PACCC.

During the IBPSA Petcare Conference, two PACCC Professionals were recognized for their hard work and dedication to our industry. Kim Vaughn,

CPACO from Ruff Housing in Winston Salem NC, took home the highest award in the Multiple Facility category. Additionally,

PACCC Board member Stephanie Shipley (CPACP & CPACO) from Paw & Order Inc., in New Brunswick Canada, was recognized as the runner-up in the Facility Category. Kim took some time to share with us why she feels that third-party certification is so important: Standards and Practices by Kim Vaughn

Are you showcasing PACCC in your community? If so, we would love to hear about it! Drop us a line with a summary of the event and a few pictures so we can share it with others.

 

Board of Directors – New Members

 

Amy Hillis

Amy Hillis is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Social Pet Hotel and Daycare, with two locations in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education from Ohio University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During her time as a teacher and administrator, she recognized the power of differentiating instruction to meet each child’s individual needs and wanted to translate that to the pet care industry. She opened Social Pet with her husband in 2014 and has brought the Enrichment Daycare platform to the Charlotte area to help enrich the bond between dogs and their families. Amy continues to feed her passion for education by serving as the co-chair of IBPSA’s Education Committee, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas, and is also currently back in graduate school at Queens University of Charlotte earning her Certificate of Leadership and Change. She lives in Ft. Mill, South Carolina with her husband, son, and three dogs.

Certified Professional Animal Care Operator

• KAROLINE BREWER, HURST TX, ANIMAL AMERICA PET RESORT
• DIRK BROERSMA, MAUMEE OH, A WALK IN THE PARK
• JENNIFER DAHINTEN, ORO MEDONTE ONTARIO CANADA, ROYAL PETS HOTEL
• ANN MARCH, WEST BURLINGTON IA, BARK & PLAY
• MARGARET WAKEHAM, MILLCREEK UT, BRICKYARD KENNEL

Certified Professional Animal Care Manager

• KAYLA AARON, WESTFIELD IN, PAWS AND PLAY DOG RESORT
• JENNIFER GIESBRECHT, LEDUC ALBERTA CANADA, PAWS PET PAD
• ANGELA GILDEA, MADISON WI, THE DOG DEN
• STACEY LAMBERT, EUGENE OR, LUCKYDOG DAYCARE
• SHAUNA MARLOWE, DEFOREST WI, DOGTOPIA
• KATIE RINI, EUGENE OR, LUCKYDOG DAYCARE
• KRISTEN RINI, EUGENE OR, LUCKYDOG DAYCARE

Certified Professional Animal Care Provider

• JORDAN AARON, HAWTHORN WOODS IL
• DANIELLE AMATO, HENRICO VA, HOLIDAY BARN
• ALAN BAAR, VIRGINIA BEACH VA
• ROLLY CALABITIN, WAIPAHU HI
• SUMMER CARR-DISHINGER, WESTFIELD IN, PAWS AND PLAY DOG RESORT
• CYNTHIA CARTER, MOBILE AL, WALKS AND WAGS
• BRENDA CHAN, MOUNT PROSPECT IL
• KENDALL DUNCAN, RIVERVIEW FL, CANINE CABANA
• ALICE GIROUX, LOMBARD IL
• MACKENZY GROTH-PRICE, MADISON WI, THE DOG DEN
• MISHELLE HANCOCK, CLAREMORE OK, TAILS A WAGN’
• MADILYN HURRLE, NEW GERMANY MN
• AMELIA JENKS, VIRGINIA BEACH VA
• AMANDA JUNG, KENSINGTON CA, THE BARKMONT
• KIRK JUNG, KENSINGTON CA, THE BARKMONT
• EDWARD KACZMAREK, CHICAGO IL, URBANPOOCH
• CAITLIN KAMPSCHROER, MADISON WI
• ALEXANDRA KASZUBOWSKI, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IL
• LAUREN KLEIN, WHEELING IL
• MATTHEW KUMPE, SPRINGDALE AR
• TRISTAN KUMPE, SPRINGDALE AR
• JANICE LAFORGA, AIEA HI
• KAHEALANI LIEDERBACH, PEARL CITY HI, TAILS OF HAWAII
• ALYSA MACALUSO, PARK CITY IL
• LEIGH MACARO, TOLEDO OH
• HEATHER MANUEL, KANEOHE HI, TAILS OF HAWAII
• TERI JO OLEAN, SIOUX FALLS SD, SMOKEN DAKOTA KENNELS
• CHADWICK PLATT, SPRINGDALE AR, DOG PARTY USA
• SASHA SANTOS, HONOLULU HI, TAILS OF HAWAII
• DEBRA SCIORTINO, ADDISON IL, A CLOSER BOND
• CODY SHEPARD, DES PLAINES IL
• JODI THEIS, NEW GERMANY MN

Congratulations to those who are now #saferinapaccc! Your dedication to the Pet Care industry is inspirational and we hope you shout your accomplishment from the rooftops!

March 14 – 28, 2020 (registration by February 15)
June 13 – 27, 2020 (registration by May 15)
November 7 – 21, 2020 (registration by October 15)

See paccert.org/exam-info/ for more information on registration.

Upcoming Webinars

Infection Control and Prevention to Protect the Pets, Your Staff, and Your Pet Care Business – Register Here!

Tuesday Jan 14, 2020 12:00 PM – 1:00pm EST
Presented by: Annette Uda, founder of PetAirapy.

It can happen in a moment. One cough, one sneeze from an infected pet and your business – and life – can be turned upside down. Your pet care facility may be immaculate, with smart vaccination protocols, but airborne infections, such as dog flu and canine cough, require more than surface cleaning and vaccines. This webinar tackles the science of airborne pathogens, the health impact on pets AND staff, air cleaning options, and how sanitizing the air is key to infectious disease prevention and control.

The ODD Ball – January 21 & 22, 2020

We are excited to announce that PACCC will be in attendance at the Owners of Dog Daycares (ODD) Ball in New Orleans! This is the 5th year for this conference where Owners and Managers come together for networking, brainstorming and learning. Come visit our booth on the trade show floor on the 21st and 22nd. Learn more about this even at ownersofdogdaycares.com

TDG Summit – March 25 & 26, 2020

The Dog Gurus Summit is taking place in Jacksonville, Florida and PACCC will be there!! This will be the 3rd live event hosted by The Dog Gurus and we are thrilled to have been invited back to talk about the PACCC!

August 2019

 

Certified Professional Spotlight

Born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada, Stephanie Shipley opened Paw & Order Inc. in December 2009 after having dreamed of helping, playing and working with dogs as a career since she was a young child. After spending much of her adult life in both the operations and human resource areas of the hospitality industry for Delta Hotels and Marriott International with a staff of 300+ employees, it was an easy decision to make the leap from working in the human hospitality field to providing exceptional pet hospitality. Stephanie started training dogs to play flyball many years ago but soon became much more interested in the specialty of Canine Communication and Behaviour. She is heavily involved with local dog rescue and rehabilitation for local, provincial and national organizations. Stephanie initially set out to change the way that pet care is viewed in her own community on the east coast of Canada by raising the bar through training, education and certification.

Stephanie operates her own pet care facility, Paw & Order, and provides facility consulting services all over North America through Higher Paws. When not at the facility, her time is spent with her 4-month twin girls, Lincoln and Lennon. She enjoys speaking with groups ranging from kindergarten age to seniors about responsible pet ownership, canine communication, providing enrichment for family pets, entrepreneurship and human resources. She does this all while lobbying for tougher animal protection legislation. She is a Certified Animal Care Provider, a Certified Animal Care Operator and a Certified PetTech Instructor.

PACCC: How did you find out about PACCC?

Stephanie: I found out about PACCC while scrolling through Facebook several years ago and then had the opportunity to meet some of the Board Members while attending a conference in Hershey, PA.

PACCC: What was your motivation for becoming a CPACP and a CPACO?

Stephanie: From the first moment that I realized there existed a third-party independent certification for the pet care industry, I knew that I had to be a part of it. In a virtually unregulated industry, the public can’t tell the difference from a company’s Facebook page of website whether they are actually qualified to care for people’s pets. All along I was telling my clients that I was good at what I was doing and that I knew what I was doing but I had no way to actually prove it to them before asking them to trust me to love and care for their furry family member. PACCC certification allows me to say “Don’t believe me because I can tell you anything I want. Believe this!” and I show them my certification.

PACCC: Has being certified made a change to your business? Relationships with staff or clients? Reputation in the community?

Stephanie: Most definitely!! I proudly boast on every medium available that my facility has four PACCC Certified team members and five certifications – 4 CPACPs and Canada’s only CPACO! Our clients have supported us every step of the way and are so supportive of our efforts to raise the bar for pet care in our community. They tell their family and their friends that certification is a big reason why they picked us from the list on Google when they searched for pet care. The community has taken notice of us and we are preceded by our excellent reputation. We stand very proud of our accomplishment of becoming certified professionals, our clients stand tall beside us because they are proud of how serious we take pet care and our community has recognized us as a leader in pet care.

PACCC: Would you recommend certification to other pet care professionals? If so, why? If not, why not?

Stephanie: I most definitely recommend sitting for the PACCC Exam. It has changed everything in our business for the better! Our staff are speaking to our clients and potential clients with more pride than ever before. We are getting better qualified candidates applying to work with us. Our clients are boasting about our accomplishments and sharing in our success and our company name is recognized throughout our city.

PACCC: Anything else you would like to add?

Stephanie: In business I hate spending money. As a matter of fact, I refuse to spend any money. Instead of spending it I choose to invest it. The difference between spending and investing is that with any investment there is always a return (ROI). PACCC certification has been one of the best investments I have ever made since the returns have been significant with no signs of slowing down any time soon. I just sent in my CEUs for my CPACP renewal and stand very tall and proud of this accomplishment.

 

Congratulations New Certified Pros!

In June, PACCC had another group of exceptional pet care providers, managers and operators join the list of certified professionals who have stepped forward to prove their skills and body of knowledge in the pet care industry. Congratulations to these newly certified pet care industry professionals:

 

Ryan Bretl, CPACP – Henrico, VA
Michael Cillen-Bedoya, CPACP – Orlando, FL
Kathryn Cushing, CPACP – Inverness, IL
Zachary Fuqua, CPACP – North Chesterfield, VA
Jessica Josefchuk, CPACP – Calgary, AB
Kathleen Lawyer, CPACP – Richmond, VA
Elizabeth Linquist, CPACP – Burlington, IA
Richard Martinson, CPACP – Richmond, VA
Mary Medina, CPACP – Richmond, VA
Mary Mullen, CPACP – Richmond, VA
Melissa Peters, CPACP – Lykens, PA
Schylar Postle, CPACP – Ricjmond, VT
Glenda Schroeder, CPACP – Crozier, VA
Jessica Scott, CPACP – Burlington, IA
Daniel Stirling, CPACP – Richmond, VA

Kelley Nelson, CPACM – New Orleans, LA

Michelle Sparacino, CPACM – Clinton, MD

Stephanie Tausher, CPACM – Evansville, WI

Jane Budnick, CPACO – St. Louis, MO
Dawn Hallgren, CPACO – Amarillo, TX
Kimberley Vaughn, CPACO – Winston Salem, NC

Next PACC Exams

Are you ready to join the PACCC?

The final round of PACCC exams in 2019 is taking place November 9 – 23, 2019. Registration for this testing window closes on October 11, 2019.

Are you headed to the IBPSA Conference in Palm Springs? PACCC will be there and can help you through the registration process. All you need to do is bring along your completed attestation forms and we will get you registered to sit for the November Exam. Need a copy of the attestation form? No problem, just click the link below.

Click Here to Download an Attestation Form for your Exam

Don’t forget that if your organization uses Gingr as your facility management software OR if your facility belongs to The Dog Gurus Profit Network, your staff qualify for a discounted exam registration fee.

Are you “on the fence” and aren’t sure how to prepare for the exam? PACCC doesn’t want you to miss out on being an industry leader and will put you in touch with existing PACCC certified professionals via Study Group Facebook Groups. These groups discuss best practices and resources that were found to be beneficial. They also provide a platform to ask questions throughout the exam preparation process. Take a moment to join a Study Group right now!

Click Here to Join a PACCC Study Group

In addition to the creation of the PACCC Study Groups, PACCC has reached out to many of our already certified professionals to ask them which resources they found most valuable when preparing to take the exam. We have compiled the results, sought out the best prices, and now have many of those recommended resources available to order directly on the PACCC website. With a single click, you can order these resources AND a portion of the proceeds will be donated to PACCC to further our message of the importance of certification in our industry.

Click Here for Recommended Resource Materials

Exams: November 9-23, 2019 | Registration Deadline: October 11, 2019

 

Continuing Education Deadlines

Reminder for approved CEU programs

Don’t delay in tracking CEUs and submitting them for re-certification! Those CPACPs who became certified in 2016 need to renew their certification with approved CEUs by the end of December 2019. This will extend their current CPACP certification for three years. The Recertification Handbook and the CEU Tracking Form cam be downloaded here: https://paccert.org/recertification/

There are several new educational programs recently approved as PACCC CEUs and a listing of all eligible courses and webinars can be found at https://paccert.org/ceu-approved/

 

Upcoming Events

We excited to have several PACCC Board Members scheduled to attend The Dog Gurus Business Breakthrough Workshop in Colorado Springs, CO September 11 – 12, 2019. On October 1 – 3, we will be live at the PACCC Booth at the IBPSA Conference in Palm Springs, CA. Be sure to visit us at these two wonderful events to have your questions answered and/or register for the next exam period. If you are already certified, we would love to put some faces to names and provide you with a PACCC Certified ribbon to attach to your name badge.

 

PACCC Hosted Webinars

Unfortunately, our last webinar had some significant technical issues that prevented us from going live at the scheduled time however, we are pleased to say that Annette Uda with Pet Airapy will soon be recording the webinar for PACCC to share with our followers. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming webinar with PetTech’s, Thom Somes.

All of the PACCC hosted webinars are available at no cost on the PACCC website for you to view and share and all are approved for PACCC CEUs.

If you are planning to attend a local pet expo of pet related event, we would love to hear about it! Maybe you would benefit from some PACCC information or handouts to tell the pet parents in your community all out PACCC!

PACCC Supporter Profile

Meet The Dog Gurus

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on the support of individuals and organizations to assist in spreading the word about the importance of obtaining independent certification in the pet care industry. As such, we would like to share with you some information about these generous organizations who support PACCC’s mission and vision.

Since the creation of PACCC, The Dog Gurus (TDG) have shared our vision of independent third-party certification, making it “Safer in a PACCC”. Offering a wide variety of training programs and consulting services, they’ve made a commitment to helping pet care professionals create and maintain a healthier and safer environment for their furry clients. They are truly the industry experts in safe off-leash play!

Social Media Updates

Share your pictures, memes, questions and advice!

The PACCC Social Media sites have taken off in the past few months thanks to our loyal supporters and ever-growing list of certified industry professionals. We are now boasting more than 644 Instagram followers and 1,743 Fans on Facebook. We would love to see your pictures, memes, questions and advice – so visit one of these sites today and say hi.

 

Geared specifically for pet care providers, PACCC encourages credible pet care provides to not only tell their clients that they provide exceptional care but prove it by taking a PACCC exam. If you missed it, check it out here.

As a pet parent, you can share this link with your local pet care provider.

 

Where Are You?

Over the past few months, PACCC Board Members have been reaching out to our certified professionals to gain insight about how PACCC can better assist with marketing initiatives and ask for exam preparation recommendations. We’ve had some wonderful discussions with our CPACPs, CPACMs and CPACOs but there are some that we were not able to reach due to a change in contact information. Please take a few moments to make sure PACCC has your most up to date information. With a quick click, you can keep your information up to date.

Click Here to Update Your Information with PACCC

 

Have Something to Say?

Share your knowledge!

PACCC is always open to blogs devoted to making pets safe. If you’re a writer who would like to donate an educational blog, contact us with your idea! 

 

MAY 2019

 

Certified Professional Spotlight

Meet Kelsea Shaw, CPACP

Kelsea Shaw, CPACP, of Corpus Christi, Texas, lives in her hometown with her girlfriend of over 10 years and their 4-legged fur kids: 10-year old terrier mix, Charlestein McFarley, and 3-year old tuxedo cat, Bean Nugget. Kelsea’s career in pet care began in 2010 when she worked as a kennel tech and dog bather and supervised small group play at The Pooch Pad. In 2011, she joined the team at Barkaritaville Pet Resort, starting as receptionist and moving into lodging, bathing, and daycare before being promoted to Lodging Manager in 2017 and then to Operations Specialist in 2018. Her breadth of experience makes her perfectly suited for her current role where she fills in for all departments (Lodging, Customer Service, Daycare, Bathing), fine tunes department processes, writes protocols, and assists with administrative needs. As Kelsea puts it, “you name it, I probably do it!”

Through education and certification, Kelsea has acquired a wide range of credentials to help ensure the safety of the pets in her care including becoming a Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP) in April 2018.

Learn more about Kelsea and why she became PACCC certified on the blog…

Certified Professional Spotlight: Kelsea Shaw

Exam Update

Next exam dates and getting ready

Another group of dedicated pet care professionals recently took the leap to become part of the elite PACCC and we will be announcing their accomplishment once all of the results are in and we can celebrate these professionals together.

Are you ready to join the PACCC?

The next round of PACCC exams takes place June 15-29, 2019, but registration for this testing window closes on May 15, 2019. There is also an exam window in November 2019 but why wait?

Are you “on the fence” and aren’t sure what or how to study or prepare for the exam?

PACCC doesn’t want you to miss out on being an industry leader. Let us put you in touch with pet care professional who have successfully taken the exam via PACCC Study Groups on Facebook led by CPACPs, CPACMs, and CPACOs. These groups will allow for some discussion about various exam topics, best practices, resources that were found to be beneficial, and a moderator to have your questions answered throughout the exam preparation process. If you are a certified professional and would be interested in moderating one of the three Facebook Study Groups, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at info@paccert.org by May 14th.

Need recommended resources to prepare?

In addition to the creation of the PACCC Study Groups, PACCC has reached out to many of our already certified professionals to ask them which resources they found most valuable when preparing to take the exam. We have compiled the results, sought out the best prices, and now have many of those recommended resources available to order directly on the PACCC website. With a single click, you can order some of these resources AND a portion of the proceeds will come back to PACCC to further our message of the importance of certification in our industry. Visit https://paccert.org/paccc-prep for details.

 

CEU Update/Deadlines

Tips and reminders to stay certified

Those CPACPs who became certified in 2016 need to renew your certification with approved CEUs by the end of December 2019! This will extend your current CPACP certification for another 3 years. The Recertification Handbook and the CEU Tracking Form are on the PACCC website. You can submit your Application for Recertification online. Download the Recertification Handbook at https://paccert.org/recertification. You may very well already have all of the CEUs you need to extend your certification another 3 years! Don’t delay in tracking those CEUs and submitting them for recertification.

 

Upcoming Events

Free Webinar

WHAT: Using Online Technologies to Ensure the Health, Safety & Well-being of Pets in Your Pet Care Facility

This webinar will explore the use of technology to help track and maintain health and safety in pet care facilities. Co-presenters Gray Moore, owner and operator of Dog Tired Dog Enrichment Center, and Andy Gale, Director of Customer Consultation at Gingr software, will explore the use of software and other tools in data-tracking, communication, training, employee-accountability, and incident management.

WHEN: May 16, 2019 at 11:00 EST

WHERE: Online. This webinar is FREE but you must register to be able to access. REGISTER HERE. This webinar has been approved for 1 PACCC CEU.

Free Webinar

WHAT: Get Ahead of the Cough presented by Annette Uda from PetAirapy taking place in June 2019. Watch for registration details hitting your Inbox soon.

The PACCC Live!

PACCC had a terrific spring gaining great exposure at some fabulous events. We had the pleasure of meeting some of the industry’s top professionals at the Dog Gurus Business Growth & Dog Behavior Summit that took place March 27-28 in San Antonio, Texas. Enjoyed our conversations about the importance of obtaining third party independent certification. We also had a wonderful time hosting many of you at the PACCC booth at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West April 29-May 2 in Burbank, California.

If you plan to attend a local pet expo or pet related event, we would love to hear all about it! Maybe you would benefit from some PACCC information or handouts to tell the pet parents in your community all about PACCC? If so, please contact Alana at alana.paccc@gmail.com for official ready-to-print marketing materials.

 

PACCC Supporter Profile

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on the support of individuals and organizations to assist PACCC in spreading the word about the importance of obtaining independent certification in the pet care industry. Which is why we would love to share with you some information about these generous organizations that believe in PACCC’s mission and vision. Meet…

 

Pet Tech is a long-time supporter of PACCC and is currently our 2019 Platinum Sponsor. Pet Tech has assisted PACCC to increase awareness about the importance of independent certification through the distribution of PACCC materials to pet professionals and pet parents around the globe.

Did you know that April was Pet First Aid Awareness month but the skills of Pet CPR & First Aid are timeless? Would you be able to help your pet in an emergency? If they were choking? Bleeding? Not breathing?

With a series of well-established courses geared to “Improving the Quality of Pets’ Lives, One Pet Parent at a Time”™, Pet Tech is a premiere education provider with several of their courses already approved for the PACCC CEU program. Whether it’s their full 8-hour PetSaver Program, 5+ hour Pet First Aid & CPR Course, the 90-minute Hiking & Walking class, or the comprehensive 3-day Pet Tech Instructor Training, the information is up to date and easy to understand and remember. Look for a listing of available PetTech courses near you on their website https://pettech.net.

Don’t see a course near you? PetTech Instructors are so committed to getting the education into the pet community that they may be available to travel to your area to conduct a session tailored to your group’s needs as pet parents or pet care professionals. Just ask!

PACCC sincerely thanks Thom, Cindy and the entire Pet Tech family for their ongoing daily support of PACCC.

Getting Social

The PACCC social media sites have exploded in the past few months thanks to our loyal supporters and ever-growing list of certified industry professionals.We are now boasting more than 630 Instagram followers and 1,668 followers on Facebook. We would love to see your pictures, memes, questions and advice, so visit one of these sites today (see icon links, below) and say “hi.”

 

Geared specifically for pet care providers, PACCC encourages credible pet care provides to not only tell their clients that they provide exceptional care but to take a few hours to take one of the 3 exams (Provider, Manager or Operator) to prove their knowledge. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

As a pet parent, you can share this link with your local pet care provider.

Where Are You?

Over the past few months, PACCC Board Members have been reaching out to our certified professionals to gain insight about how PACCC can better assist with marketing initiatives and to ask some key questions about what they would recommend to individuals preparing for the exam. We have had some wonderful discussions with our CPACPs, CPACMs and CPACOs but there are some that we were not able to reach due to a change in contact information. Please take a few moments to make sure PACCC has your most up to date information.

Simply head to https://paccert.org/certified/ to keep us up to date with your contact information.

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Certified Professional Spotlight

Meet Kari Campbell, CPACO

Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in Washington, Kari Campbell’s unique upbringing is matched by her unique professional experience as an accomplished opera singer, with an educational background in vocal performance. Having toured through Japan, Europe, and the United States, she has performed with several opera companies and orchestras. Although her education and singing experiences have been very rewarding, her lifelong dream has been to work with animals. In 2005, Kari founded Dog Tired Doggie Daycare in Anchorage, Alaska. Kari’s facility is a bright and vibrant place for pups to play, with the health, safety, and well-being of her guests remaining her top priority. Her passion is to provide the highest level of care for her clients through education, compassion, and communication. She shares her life with a Pug/Boxer, Tobe, and a French Bulldog, Newton.

Learn more about Kari and why she became PACCC certified on our blog.

 

Exam Update

Don’t get the chance to travel often but need to accumulate CEUs? Did you know that there are different ways that you can earn CEUs aside from courses and conferences? For example, you might learn how to write some of the questions that will appear on future exams. If this is of interest to you, please get in touch with our Exam Committee chairperson, Anna Torres-Radle at anna@fieldstoneanimalinn.com. Be sure to consult the Recertification Handbook for more continuing education information.

PACCC had a terrific summer and fall in 2018 gaining great exposure at some fabulous events. You may have seen us at the IBPSA Pet Care Services Educational Conference & Trade Show in St. Louis, Missouri, or at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We had a terrific response from the attendees and were able to put some certified names to faces who visited with us. We are also planning to meet some more of our certified professionals at The Dog Gurus Business Growth & Dog Behavior Summit taking place March 27-28, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas, and others at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West April 29 – May 2, 2019, in Burbank, California.

If you plan to attend a local pet expo or pet related event, we would love to hear all about it! Maybe you would benefit from some PACCC information or handouts to tell the pet parents in your community all about PACCC? If so, please contact Alana at alana.paccc@gmail.com for official ready-to-print marketing materials.

 

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on the support of individuals and organizations to assist PACCC in spreading the word about the importance of obtaining independent certification in the pet care industry. Which is why we would love to share with you some information about these generous organizations that believe in PACCC’s mission and vision. Meet…

 

 

Dog*Biz has been an invaluable supporter of PACCC by helping people in the pet industry understand the importance of certification. Dog*Biz offers a wide array of resources for pet care professionals, from website and logo design to various toolkits for just about every aspect of a pet care business including dog trainers, walkers, and sitters, as well as for boarding and daycare facilities. Recently, Dog*Biz launched Dog Walking Academy (DWA, a fantastic program (also approved for 24 PACCC CEUs) ) that can be taken either by attending a 3-day live session in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia OR online at your own pace with the opportunity to attend conference calls to have your individual questions answered.

Dog*Biz recently celebrated their 15th successful year in business and offers an excellent support network for their clients. They remain committed to community education and, since launching the first class of its kind in 2004, continue to set the bar for dog walking education..

Pro tip: You can subscribe to their “Monthly Minute” business tip for trainers and dog professional and/or “Two Feet Forward” business and walking tips for dog walkers. Check out their website at dogbizsuccess.com.

 

We Couldn’t Do It Without You

PACCC is a non-profit on a safe pet mission and we couldn’t do it without you. Whether you donate once or you become one of our monthly donors, thank you! We make every penny count for the pets.