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
The next cohort begins the week of October 20, 2025.
The program lasts one year. Live group calls will take roughly place once a month on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. United States Eastern time, with one eight-week period of weekly meetings at roughly the nine-month point. The detailed schedule is available for download below.
Individual students will meet with the instructors to create an individualized program tailored to their specific goals. They will also receive personalized feedback to ensure that will help ensure they reach those goals within the timeline of the program.
The course will end in October 2026.
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.
Click here to download a PDF detailing the live meeting dates.
Structure
Small cohorts (max 15 students per cohort) so every student gets ample personal guidance.
Recorded lectures, live interactive sessions, and online discussions.
Individual goal-setting meeting at the start of the program to create a personalized learning plan.
Two additional one-on-one check-ins during the year to help you stay on track and supported.
Students should plan to devote two to three hours a week to the lectures and discussions.
They will likely need to devote at least one to three hours more each week to keeping up with assignments and reading.
Extensive feedback on assignments, designed to help you grow and succeed — not just a grade.
Students must be present live for interactive sessions; a limited number of pre-excused absences 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.
The program takes roughly one year to complete.
Assessment
Frequent checkpoints (quizzes, short assignments, reflections) to monitor your progress and give you guidance along the way.
Personalized learning pace — you can move more quickly through areas you already know, and focus your time where you want to grow.
Assessments designed for real-world use — assignments are practical and directly connected to the work you do.
Support to succeed on final projects — feedback and practice opportunities build confidence before larger assignments.
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
During the course, students will be part of a student community.
Certificants will have access to a certificant-only community, which includes regular case consulting calls with Irith and Kristina.
Skills 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 offer these group skills classes.
Cost
The year-long Carefree Companion Program is being offered for $6,200.
(Payment plans of up to 12 months available.)
Scholarships are available for the October 2025 cohort. Note that only accepted students can apply for scholarships.
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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.
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