Cloud Star Sponsors Scholarships to ABC Dog Training Certification

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Cloud Star has announced its sponsorship of student scholarships to the Animal Behavior College (ABC), a vocational school offering online educational and certification programs in dog obedience training and other animal-related careers. In 2024, Cloud Star will sponsor four full scholarships for ABC’s flagship Dog Obedience Instructor Program, which offers a LIMA-compliant curriculum leading to an ABC Dog Training Instructor certification. Additionally, Cloud Star will sponsor 10 scholarships for ABC’s short-term programs, covering specialized areas like working with shelter pets and pet sitting/dog walking.

Caitlin Palmieri, brand manager – lifestyle brands at Whitebridge Pet Brands, LLC, highlighted that this initiative marks the expansion of the longstanding relationship between Cloud Star and ABC. The collaboration includes Cloud Star providing ABC trainers with free samples of its training rewards, sold under the Pet Botanics and Tricky Trainers brands, and contributing training-related articles to ABC’s alumni newsletter. ABC, in turn, supplies training-related content for Cloud Star’s training network, Cloud Star Partners.

“With the addition of the scholarships, we are taking our partnership with the Animal Behavior College to the next level,” Palmieri commented. “Cloud Star is very delighted to support future and current dog trainers in their pursuit of a career at ABC, an esteemed organization that shares our strong belief in the LIMA (Least Invasive Minimally Aversive) approach to training.”

ABC president Steven Appelbaum agreed, adding, “Cloud Star has been a clear supporter of education for as long as we’ve known them. We are excited about the support planned for this year as I believe scholarships will allow even greater numbers of animal lovers to fulfill their dreams of learning how to help pets and the people who love them live their best lives.”

Cloud Star scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, with recipients selected by the Animal Behavior College (ABC). ABC’s comprehensive Dog Obedience Instructor Program, which includes a hands-on externship with dogs in real-life settings, has graduated and certified over 22,000 students since its inception in 1998.

Recipients of Cloud Star scholarships for ABC’s short-term programs can choose their curriculum. These programs are available to students who have completed the ABC Dog Obedience Instructor Program or have comparable dog training education. They offer specialized training in areas such as Training Shelter Dogs, Teaching Private Lessons, and Dog Massage.

“Cloud Star and ABC are both committed to the idea that training can make a huge difference in the lives of both pets and humans, preventing countless dogs from ending up in shelters,” added Palmieri. “We believe it is important to support both current and future trainers, which is why Cloud Star is offering scholarships for both ABC’s full certification and short-term continuing-education programs. We look forward to continuing and expanding our partnership with ABC in the future.”