For Dog Professionals

Where do I begin! Passionate educators, exceptional curriculum, and true support for their Family Paws Parent Educators and Parent Educators to be! As a certified dog trainer/behavior consultant and Educational Specialist, I can say hands-down that the Family Paws Parent Educator Course is in a class of its own!  This 13-week course is like no other program I have ever taken- the knowledge and skills that I learned in teaching and supporting both families and the dogs they care for has created a paradigm shift in what creates thriving family members and thriving dogs under the same roof! The program is taught by educators Jennifer and Bethany, a dynamic duo, who differentiate their teaching so that all students can succeed. Having more parent educators in our communities will help close the gap on the miscommunication between dogs and humans that can so often lead to either tragic events or the rehoming of family dogs when newborns and/or toddlers are in the home. I do not know of any other program with such expertise on how a baby’s development into toddlerhood can have such a profound effect on the well-being of the family dog. After just the first class, I started to use my new knowledge to help coworkers (who work with kids and bring their dogs to work) navigate safe, joyful interactions. Sharing  “Dog Aware” (Family Paws) skills with others is a game-changer, and it often presents itself like a “eureka” moment when all family members learn to effectively communicate with their dog.  The unfortunate truth, as exemplified by large numbers of social media postings, is that many families encourage interactions between their baby and/or toddler with their dog that they deem safe; in actuality, the dog is showing signs of discomfort, distress, and feeling conflicted. I am truly proud to be a part of this amazing team! Helping people who coexist with dogs become both dog and baby aware can help close the communication gap between dog and human. As I write this review, I am overwhelmed with excitement and hope to make a powerful positive difference in my community!

I loved every moment of learning with Family Paws! I first dipped my toes in with the Dog Aware mini course for dog professionals, and I was hooked right away. It covers the basics of dog and baby/toddler safety, and I truly feel it should be required for all professionals working in the dog behavior field. The Family Paws Parent Educator course really blew my mind in the best way. We covered so many important considerations and nuances that are absolutely essential to be mindful of when supporting new and expecting families with dogs. This is such a rich niche to work in, and I feel like I learned so much in each and every class. The discussions were thought provoking and helped me to apply the new knowledge to scenarios that many families face every day. Jen and Bethany are excellent at what they do. Their passion for the work is so evident, and the empathy they extend to their human and canine learners is so special to witness and really made me feel supported as a student. The Parent Educator course was an excellent experience and I am so proud to call myself a Licensed Parent Educator and be part of the important work we are doing as an organization. I highly recommend this course!

Prior to being in Jen's program, I had only the occasional case relating to dogs and babies/kids. Even though I'm a parent myself, it was difficult to know the best way to share information with already overwhelmed parents/soon-to-be parents. The information I learned in Jen's course has given me the knowledge and confidence to work with parents and dogs in often emotionally fraught situations. I learned so much! I don't feel alone, and I feel much more confident now. The educational resources, including handouts, are incredibly useful in educating my clients and helping them to feel more confident as well. Jen has truly transformed my career, and thanks to her, this has now become my main client base and a source of tremendous meaning and satisfaction for me. Jen is also just a wonderful person. If you are questioning whether you should take this course, do it!

Our weekend seminar with FPPE far exceeded my expectations. We had such an amazing time with Jennifer and learned so much that will help our clients both immediately and in the future. I would highly recommend FPPE for your professional dog training team! You will not regret it!-

Family Paws weekend is a must! I thinking having Jen in person is definitely an incredible benefit, not only for learning purposes but because she’s a fantastic person to do life with, even if only for a weekend. As a mother and a trainer who has always been passionate about the topic of dogs and children, I still learned so much from this program and am so proud to be a part of it.

The information that Family Paws provides is invaluable for any family with children, and it is imperative that we as trainers understand and are able to relay this knowledge to our clients. I would highly recommend a weekend with FPPE; no matter how long you have been in the field, I guarantee you will learn something!

Going through the Family Paws Program and becoming a presentor was a positive experience both for myself and my veterinary practice. I feel I now have the knowledge and skills to not only help pets but entire families! As a veterinarian I would recommend not only using Family Paws as a primary resource but also for all veterinary practices to have a staff member as a presentor!