Astro Bug

INVERNESS, Fla. - AstroBug -- he Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) have partnered to host a summit featuring 25 world-class presenters from around the globe at the Arizona Humane Society's Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus in Phoenix November 1-5.

The "Homeward Bound" summit event will showcase the latest techniques in humane, ethical positive reinforcement–based training, helping both organizations reach their shared goal of ensuring that humane and ethical training is readily available to pet owners who want their pets to live in nurturing and stable environments.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year, and about 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted yearly. Pet trainers and behavior experts support these pets through their local businesses. This preparation is an essential function of pet professionals, not just in the shelter or rescue location but also as pets transition to homes and adjust to their new daily norms.

The summit program features expert presenters sharing their skills and knowledge in both lecture and hands-on skill lab sessions to help with the continuing development of behavior professionals who, in turn, can then support their local pet communities with their cutting-edge knowledge. Each session will emphasize the enrichment, welfare, and behavioral well-being of pets. These are achieved by implementing training methods and procedures that empower pets and help them to feel confident and secure.

In our cyber-driven world, information that is readily available to pet owners may not be accurate or scientifically sound. Flashy and charismatic individuals often showcase forceful, painful, and aversive training methods and equipment to promote the misconception that there are "quick fixes" to training and behavior issues.

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Scientific research shows that positive reinforcement­–based strategies are practical and expedient while posing no risk to pets, guardians, or the local community. A constructional approach to training where more appropriate and acceptable behaviors are encouraged and reinforced via positive training protocols are highly recommended and supported by the research. Such training is also fun and engaging for both the pet and their owner. Using pain, force, or fear to modify behavior or to train, manage, or care for pets is unnecessary and detrimental, and not in the best interest of pets and their families.

As an international organization, PPG represents professionals who believe that pets have an intrinsic right to be treated humanely, to have each of their individual needs met, and to live in safe, enriched environments free from force, pain, and fear. PPG holds that humane, ethical, and effective training and care procedures form the foundation for a pet's healthy socialization and help prevent behavior problems. AHS's certified trainers use positive-reinforcement, force-free, science-based methods to get the best results with dogs of all ages and breeds. All of the trainers on staff at AHS are committed to continuing their education and will enjoy hosting and attending the summit.

"PPG and AHS are providing a valuable platform for promoting education, resources, equipment, ideas, methods, and techniques that pet owners and pet professionals can trust to reflect the force-free training and pet care philosophy," said Niki Tudge, PPG president. "Supporting the education and operation of shelter and rescue organizations not only helps us to help them, but also helps them to help us!"

"We're thrilled to work with PPG to bring so many trainers and pet care professionals together to learn,  and promote humane animal training, " says Jenny Dagnino, Behavior and Training Manager at the Arizona Humane Society. "Education is one of the most impactful ways we can improve the lives of pets in our communities, in our shelters, and in our homes."

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About the Homeward Bound Summit

PPG's Homeward Bound summit is a four-day educational event aimed at training and behavior professionals taking place November 1-5 at the Arizona Humane Society. It consists of four tracks featuring hands-on skill labs, academic sessions, and networking opportunities for its attendees and 25 international presenters. Shelter dogs and cats will enjoy the empowering and fun sessions, too! To learn more, visit the website https://summit.petprofessionalguild.com/

About the Pet Professional Guild

The Pet Professional Guild (www.petprofessionalguild.com) is a 501(c)6 member-based organization founded on the principles of force-free training and pet care. Its membership represents pet industry professionals who are committed to science-based, humane training and pet care philosophies, practices and methods. Pet Professional Guild members understand force-free to mean that shock, choke, prong, pain, force and fear are never employed to train or care for a pet. PPG members are professionals who are "Informed by Science, Guided by Empathy, Governed by Ethics^TM."

About the Arizona Humane Society

Since 1957, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) has been saving the lives of the Valley's most vulnerable pets. Guided by our Ethical No-Kill Philosophy™, we save thousands of pets every year through a system of care that includes AHS' trauma hospital and intensive care units, comprehensive medical and foster programs and behavior intervention programs. Our community-based model comprised of a Pet Resource Center, affordable veterinary services, proactive outreach, community support and partner collaboration, keeps pets in loving homes where they belong. Our visionary approach to animal welfare has transformed the Valley from being the second-worst place to be a homeless pet to one of the best. And coming soon, our new Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus will expand our lifesaving efforts by the thousands. Learn more at azhumane.org.