Advanced Pet Care Provider
Go beyond first aid with advanced training—and a credential that sets you apart.
What you'll learn
- A strong foundation in medical observation and daily health assessments to detect early signs of illness or decline.
- To safely administer medications, monitor post-procedure recovery, and support veterinary treatment plans within your role.
- Real-world protocols for wound care, poisonings, triage, emergency response, and more to improve outcomes for pets in your care.
Who is this for?
This certification is designed for passionate pet care professionals—dog trainers, pet sitters, and groomers—eager to elevate their skills, build client trust, and stand out in a competitive market. Whether you're starting out or a seasoned pro, this program equips you to deliver exceptional care and grow your career.
Advanced Pet Care Provider (AP)
Go beyond first aid with advanced training—and a credential that sets you apart.
What you'll learn
- A strong foundation in medical observation and daily health assessments to detect early signs of illness or decline.
- To safely administer medications, monitor post-procedure recovery, and support veterinary treatment plans within your role.
- Real-world protocols for wound care, poisonings, triage, emergency response, and more to improve outcomes for pets in your care.
Who is this for?
This certification is designed for passionate pet care professionals—dog trainers, pet sitters, and groomers—eager to elevate their skills, build client trust, and stand out in a competitive market. Whether you're starting out or a seasoned pro, this program equips you to deliver exceptional care and grow your career.
Outcomes of the AP Certification Across Pet Care Professions
As part of our commitment to professional development, we regularly survey credentialed APs to understand how this certification impacts their work. Their responses provide insight into how the AP credential supports real-world growth—through increased referrals, expanded service offerings, and improved client trust.
Select a career below to see how the AP Certification can support your role in the pet care industry.
Expand Your Role as a Behavior Professional
- Recognize when behavior may be influenced by pain, medication, or underlying medical conditions—and refer appropriately.
- Improve communication and credibility with veterinarians, clients, and rescue organizations.
- Be trusted to support dogs with behavioral challenges that may also require special handling or monitoring.
Grow Your Income as an AP
- The AP credential builds trust with veterinarians and rescues, leading to more referrals and collaborative opportunities.
- Use your postnominal letters (e.g., John Smith, AP) to signal professionalism and justify advanced pricing in your market.
- Your AP certification positions you to charge more for cases that require advanced awareness of safety, handling, and medical context.
Trainers with the AP credential often report receiving more referrals from veterinarians, rescues, and other pet care professionals who trust their advanced training and judgment.
Elevate Your Role as a Trusted Pet Care Provider
- Safely administer medications under client direction, with confidence in dosage tracking, storage, and observation.
- Skillfully care for medically sensitive, senior, or post-operative pets, making you a go-to for more complex cases.
- Identify early signs of illness or distress, helping clients seek veterinary care sooner and improving pet outcomes.
Increase Your Earnings with Specialized Skills
- Raise your rates by 15% or more, offering advanced care that goes beyond standard sitting services.
- Offer premium services like medication administration, post-surgical support, or senior pet care that most sitters can’t safely provide.
- Win over new clients in competitive markets—your postnominal letters (e.g., Jane Smith, AP) signal professionalism at a glance.
AP credentialed pet sitters report raising their rates (avg. 15%) and receive more referrals from veterinary professionals and rescues who trust their advanced training.
Stand Out in the Grooming Industry
- Work confidently with medically fragile or senior pets with safety and comfort in mind.
- Improve safety for both pets and staff with training in advanced handling, canine body language, sanitation protocols, and zoonotic disease prevention.
- Build stronger relationships with clients and veterinary teams who want groomers capable of safely managing higher-risk pets.
Attract Higher-Value Clients
- Earn more referrals from veterinarians and rescues seeking groomers qualified to handle complex cases.
- Raise your grooming rates for special-needs pets, seniors, or behaviorally sensitive dogs that require extra care.
- Win over new clients in competitive markets—your postnominal letters (e.g., Jane Smith, AP) signal professionalism at a glance.
AP credentialed pet groomers frequently report more referrals from veterinarians, and greater client trust—especially when working with high-needs or senior pets.
Outcomes of the AP Certification Across Pet Care Professions
As part of our commitment to professional development, we regularly survey credentialed APs to understand how this certification impacts their work. Their responses provide insight into how the AP credential supports real-world growth—through increased referrals, expanded service offerings, and improved client trust.
Select a career below to see how the AP Certification can support your role in the pet care industry.
Expand Your Role as a Behavior Professional
- Recognize when behavior may be influenced by pain, medication, or underlying medical conditions—and refer appropriately.
- Improve communication and credibility with veterinarians, clients, and rescue organizations.
- Be trusted to support dogs with behavioral challenges that may also require special handling or monitoring.
Grow Your Income as an AP
- The AP credential builds trust with veterinarians and rescues, leading to more referrals and collaborative opportunities.
- Use your postnominal letters (e.g., John Smith, AP) to signal professionalism and justify advanced pricing in your market.
- Your AP certification positions you to charge more for cases that require advanced awareness of safety, handling, and medical context.
Trainers with the AP credential often report receiving more referrals from veterinarians, rescues, and other pet care professionals who trust their advanced training and judgment.
Elevate Your Role as a Trusted Pet Care Provider
- Safely administer medications under client direction, with confidence in dosage tracking, storage, and observation.
- Skillfully care for medically sensitive, senior, or post-operative pets, making you a go-to for more complex cases.
- Identify early signs of illness or distress, helping clients seek veterinary care sooner and improving pet outcomes.
Increase Your Earnings with Specialized Skills
- Raise your rates by 15% or more, offering advanced care that goes beyond standard sitting services.
- Offer premium services like medication administration, post-surgical support, or senior pet care that most sitters can’t safely provide.
- Win over new clients in competitive markets—your postnominal letters (e.g., Jane Smith, AP) signal professionalism at a glance.
AP credentialed pet sitters report raising their rates (avg. 15%) and receive more referrals from veterinary professionals and rescues who trust their advanced training.
Stand Out in the Grooming Industry
- Work confidently with medically fragile or senior pets with safety and comfort in mind.
- Improve safety for both pets and staff with training in advanced handling, canine body language, sanitation protocols, and zoonotic disease prevention.
- Build stronger relationships with clients and veterinary teams who want groomers capable of safely managing higher-risk pets.
Attract Higher-Value Clients
- Earn more referrals from veterinarians and rescues seeking groomers qualified to handle complex cases.
- Raise your grooming rates for special-needs pets, seniors, or behaviorally sensitive dogs that require extra care.
- Win over new clients in competitive markets—your postnominal letters (e.g., Jane Smith, AP) signal professionalism at a glance.
AP credentialed pet groomers frequently report more referrals from veterinarians, and greater client trust—especially when working with high-needs or senior pets.
What You’ll Learn in the Course
Click on a module to see what you’ll learn in that part of the course.
What You’ll Learn in the Course
Click on a module to see what you’ll learn in that part of the course.
Lifetime Recertification
Your certification should grow with you—not expire. That’s why APs receive lifetime recertification at no additional cost. Every two years, simply retest to stay current and active in our directory.
No hidden fees, just ongoing recognition for professionals who continue to meet our standards.
Included Materials for Your Success
Equip yourself with premium resources designed to enhance your skills and credibility. Upon enrollment, you’ll receive immediate access to digital content and a physical field manual mailed to you, ensuring you’re ready to excel as an Advanced Pet Care Provider.
Advanced Pet First Aid Field Manual
This indispensable paperback guide equips you with essential pet first aid knowledge. Perfect for quick reference in emergencies, it will be mailed to you upon course enrollment.
View on amazon.
Master the Art of Compassionate Intervention
Gain immediate access to this vital course, equipping you with tools to identify signs of unintentional neglect and cruelty. Learn to support clients in making positive changes with poise and tact, and understand when to escalate issues to law enforcement.
Physical & Digital Proof of Certification
Upon completion of the course, you'll receive a physical certification card by mail and be listed in our searchable credential database. This makes it easy to verify your certification with clients, employers, or professional partners. You’ll also receive a unique AP seal to display on your website, social media, or printed materials—demonstrating your commitment to advanced, professional-level pet care.
Included Materials for Your Success
Equip yourself with premium resources designed to enhance your skills and credibility. Upon enrollment, you’ll receive immediate access to digital content and a physical field manual mailed to you, ensuring you’re ready to excel as an Advanced Pet Care Provider.
Advanced Pet First Aid Field Manual
This indispensable paperback guide equips you with essential pet first aid knowledge. Perfect for quick reference in emergencies, it will be mailed to you upon course enrollment.
View on amazon.
Master the Art of Compassionate Intervention
Gain immediate access to this vital course, equipping you with tools to identify signs of unintentional neglect and cruelty. Learn to support clients in making positive changes with poise and tact, and understand when to escalate issues to law enforcement.
Physical & Digital Proof of Certification
Upon completion of the course, you'll receive a physical certification card by mail and be listed in our searchable credential database. This makes it easy to verify your certification with clients, employers, or professional partners. You’ll also receive a unique AP seal to display on your website, social media, or printed materials—demonstrating your commitment to advanced, professional-level pet care.
I gotta say, I was blown away. There was way more in your program than any in-person classes that I have taken..
If you’re considering it, do it. Do it. It was by far the best program that I took for my career.”
Kat Roth
Pet Sitter & Owner, Kat & Dogs Ohio
Code of Conduct & Eligibility: What It Takes to Be an AP
Becoming an Advanced Pet Care Provider means more than completing a course—it means upholding the highest standards in our industry. APs are the professionals we’d trust with our own pets: ethical, experienced, and deeply committed to doing what’s right.
To maintain the integrity of this certification and the safety of the pets we serve, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Maintain a strong track record of client satisfaction, typically reflected in public reviews (averaging 4.3+ when available), client testimonials, or professional references.
- Have no convictions for animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect.
- Have no active investigations or past substantiated violations related to animal welfare.
- Have no serious client complaints within the past 12 months involving animal care, safety, or misconduct.
- Do not misrepresent your credentials or use this certification to offer services beyond your legal or professional qualifications.
- Understand and act within your professional scope, referring to veterinarians when appropriate.
- Commit to humane, professional, and ethical treatment of all animals in your care.
Be the Professional Pets Need - And Clients Prefer
Distinguish yourself as a leading provider with the Advanced Pet Care Provider certification, designed for Pet Professionals who want to build trust, increase revenue, and enhance their level of care.
Our Commitment to Your Success
Enrolling in the Advanced Pet Care Provider course is a serious step toward elevating your professional standing in the pet care industry. We take that commitment seriously—and we want you to feel fully confident in your decision.
That’s why we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Within your first 30 days, you’ll have full access to all course materials and resources. You’ll also have the option to schedule a 1:1 remediation session via Zoom if you encounter any challenges with the content or format.
If after fully exploring the course you decide it’s not the right fit, simply contact us within 30 days of purchase to request a full refund—no questions asked.
We stand behind the quality of this certification and the professionals we serve. This guarantee exists because we believe in what we offer, and we want every participant to feel supported and confident from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All modules, materials, and assessments are delivered online. You’ll also receive a printed Advanced Pet First Aid Field Manual and your physical certification card by mail.
No. APs are trained to identify, monitor, and respond appropriately to medical concerns, including referring to veterinary professionals when necessary. You’ll learn to stay within your legal and ethical scope while improving your overall standard of care.
You’ll receive lifetime access, so you can work through the material at your own pace. Most professionals complete the program in 3–6 weeks, depending on their schedule.
Yes, recertification is required every two years—but it’s completely free of charge. A review and retest process ensures you’re still meeting eligibility standards and staying active in our provider directory.
Yes. The AP Certification is trusted by pet care professionals across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. It’s recognized by leading organizations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Care Insurance, and offers 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for IAABC-certified professionals. Whether you’re building credibility with clients or expanding your professional qualifications, the AP credential stands out as a respected mark of advanced training and commitment.