Academy of Pet Careers joins IAABC standards signatory list

The Academy of Pet Careers has signed the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant’s Joint Standards of Practice, strengthening its commitment to force-free, science-based pet care education. The move ties the St. Charles trade school’s curriculum more closely to ethical animal care standards as the industry continues to professionalize.

Why it matters: - The Academy of Pet Careers’ new signatory status puts its training under a widely recognized ethical framework for animal care. - The move reinforces force-free, science-based instruction for students entering grooming, training, and veterinary assisting roles. - APC said the commitment is part of its broader effort to influence the pet industry through education.

What happened: - The Academy of Pet Careers signed onto the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant’s Joint Standards of Practice. - The announcement was made July 20, 2026, from St. Charles, Missouri. - IAABC and other organizations created the Joint Standards of Practice in 2018 to promote science-based, ethical, human-animal care practices. - APC is now a new signatory after the standards were revised several times since 2018.

The details: - As a signatory, APC commits to teaching compassionate, modern and morally sound pet care practices. - The academy said the agreement does not change its direction, but formalizes an approach it already uses. - President Joseph Schifano said APC has long taught science-backed, compassionate pet care through its Pet Empowerment Framework. - Schifano said the signatory status reflects APC’s dedication to empowering both students and the animals they care for. - APC created the Pet Empowerment Framework to support force-free principles in its programs. - The framework rejects fear, intimidation and punishment in favor of enrichment and confidence-building. - APC said the approach is designed to honor each pet’s independence and wellbeing.

Between the lines: - The signatory move gives APC external validation for a curriculum it already positions as force-free and ethical. - The announcement also reflects a broader push in pet care toward more standardized, science-based professional training. - APC is betting that graduates trained in positive methods will help shift industry norms over time.

What's next: - APC said it will continue training pet care professionals under the Pet Empowerment Framework. - The academy expects more graduates to enter the field with positive, force-free practices. - APC said that pipeline will contribute to a more considerate and empathetic pet care industry. - The Academy of Pet Careers was founded in 1993 and offers certifications in dog grooming, dog training and veterinary assisting. - The school serves aspiring pet professionals in the greater St. Louis area. - More information is available on the academy’s social profiles.