Carefree Companion: An Advanced Certification Program for Animal Professionals
Program Details
Admission Requirements and Process
Pet professionals who have a fair amount of experience and knowledge will get the most benefit out of this program.
In order to be accepted into the program, candidates must submit an application.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
2.5 years of experience as an animal training and/or behavior professional (which must include hands-on experience).
Completion of at least one of the following certifications or the equivalent (other qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis):
Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the CCPDT
Certified Behavior Consultant – Canine (CBCC) through the CCPDT
Certified (Cat, Dog, Equine, etc.) Behavior Consultant (CCBC, CDBC, CEBC, etc.) through the IAABC
Professional Canine Trainer - Accredited (PCT-A) by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board
Professional Canine Behavior Consultant - Accredited (PCBC-A) by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board
Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society
Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB) through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
The provision of evidence of the candidate’s approach to behavior change (e.g. submission of case studies), which must demonstrate:
A strong understanding of learning theory
A thorough grasp of how to teach new behaviors using positive reinforcement
Schedule
Next cohort begins the week of October 21st.
Live 60-minute classes on Mondays at 2 p.m. Eastern.
Program includes 44 weeks of instruction.
There will be scheduled weeks off.
The course will end in late September, 2025.
What You'll Get
At the end of the program, students will be able to:
Explain the structure of the CC program and effectively integrate it into their own business/work with dogs.
Locate, access, evaluate, and appropriately apply scientific literature to their work.
Develop effective, compassionate, and inclusive relationships with clients (or their target audience) while maintaining appropriate personal boundaries and personal well-being.
Effectively teach all the non-human and human skills included in the Carefree Companion program.
Conduct a group skills coaching call.
Create an ethics statement for their business/organization.
Develop policies that support their ethics statement.
Effectively and ethically navigate conversations with clients regarding medications, supplements, and possible health issues that could be influencing behavior.
Design a detailed plan for rolling out and effectively implementing the CC program to their clients/target audience, including:
a. Structure
b. Cost
c. Fidelity
d. Collection and use of data
Create a detailed marketing plan – including a timeline – for marketing the Carefree Companion program to their ideal audience. This marketing plan will include:
a. Client avatars
b. Branding
c. The client journey
Program Details
Content
Click here to download a PDF detailing the schedule of topics covered.
Structure
The program has 44 weeks worth of course content, and will take roughly one year including holiday breaks.
The program will involve both recorded lectures and live interactive sessions.
Students should plan to devote two to three hours a week of time to the lectures and live discussions.
They will likely need to devote at least three to six hours more per week to keeping up with assignments and reading.
Students must be present live for the interactive sessions; a limited number of pre-excused absences may be allowed if circumstances merit it.
Each student will have the opportunity to (and be required to) teach end client skills in a group call setting.
There will be regular office hours during which students can ask questions or get other assistance from the instructors.
Assessment
Regular assessments (quizzes, assignments, etc.) will help students monitor their understanding of the material.
Active participation in discussion sessions is required.
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be certified as a Carefree Companion Educator.
Successful completion of the program also entitles certificants to display the Carefree Companion Certified logo, as well as to use certain materials as long as their certification remains current.
Continuing education and adherence to the Carefree Companion ethics code is required to maintain the Carefree Companion Educator Certification.
Community
Certificants will have access to a certificant-only community.
Certificants may also choose to become full members of the Carefree Companion program in order to share group class responsibilities with others and participate in regular discussion groups.
Coaching Calls
The public will be encouraged to enroll in group coaching calls where they can learn both human and non-human animal skills for improving stress resilience.
Certificants can choose to become part of the instructor pool for these group classes.
Cost
The year-long Carefree Companion Program is being offered to the first cohort for $5,500.
(Payment plans of up to 12 months available.)
Applications for scholarships for the October 2024 cohort have closed.
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date!
Help pet parents & companion animals everywhere live better!
ABOUT US
Dr. Kristina Spaulding and Irith Bloom are sought-out speakers and renowned experts in the field of animal behavior.
Irith Bloom is a certified professional trainer and behavior consultant, as well as a certified TAGteacher.
Dr. Spaulding has a Ph.D. in biopsychology — the study of the biological basis of behavior.
Both Irith Bloom and Dr. Kristina Spaulding love the science of behavior and have a wealth of experience teaching both people with companion animals and other pet professionals.
Follow Us On Social Media!
