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Meghann Evans, PSI

Whether you’ve been pet sitting for days, months or years, there’s one thing for certain—you will have a variety of opportunities to pursue additional education in the professional pet-sitting field, but it will be up to you to decide whether to take advantage of these continuing education opportunities.

September is Pet-Sitter Education Month™, an observance created by Pet Sitters International to shine a spotlight on professional pet sitters’ commitment to continuing education and on the growing number of educational resources available to today’s professional pet sitters and dog walkers.

As you work hard to meet the demands of running your own pet-sitting business, you may wonder if continuing education is worth the time and effort. PSI offers six reasons pet sitters should invest in continuing education:

1. The pets in your care will benefit. There are a lot of benefits to operating your own pet-sitting business—the potential for a strong income stream, the ability to set your own schedule, the flexibility—but the best part is being able to provide the level of care that pets deserve. So think about the pets, too, when you consider whether to take advantage of that free PSI webinar on a pet-behavior topic or whether to sign up for PSI’s online training subscription, PETSIT PRO.

You may have years of experience caring for pets, but you never have to stop growing and learning. There may be a new pilling technique that could save you time and energy or a new pet first aid practice that could be the difference between life and death for a pet. You owe it to the pets in your care to stay up-to-date on the latest in pet-care practices.

2. It will set you apart from the competition. In the digital age, pet owners can book a dog walk or pet-sitting visit with a few clicks from their smart phones. What will set you apart from the hobbyists on pet-sitting apps? Your professionalism and superior services. And how do you increase your professionalism and provide those superior services? By having the knowledge you need to succeed.

As the news stories of tragedies caused by pet lovers looking for extra cash continue to multiply, more pet owners will start doing their research. You can share about your credentials on your website, on your business’s social-media pages and during meet and greets to demonstrate that you have the qualifications to provide exceptional care and that you’re in the business for more than just the money.

3. You will grow your network. Whether you attend one of PSI’s conferences or ask pet- and business-related questions in PSI’s private Facebook group for members, you can improve your network when you pursue education. Building relationships with other like-minded pet-care professionals will help you grow as a pet sitter and give you the fuel you need to keep moving forward in this industry. Each pet sitter has a unique journey, and we can glean insight and wisdom from each other that will make us better pet sitters, better business owners and better advocates.

4. You will feel more confident. A confident pet sitter who provides exceptional care is a force to be reckoned with in the pet-care world, but how do you get more confidence? As you continue your education, you will become better prepared to handle any pet-sitting situation you may encounter, boosting your confidence in your services and skill level. You can also become more knowledgeable about business practices, which will give you confidence as you evaluate your policies and procedures and work to grow your business.

When you are more confident, your clients will see it—in how you handle yourself during meet and greets, in the level of care you provide their pets, and in the way you address any special requests or questions that come up. And you deserve to feel more confident! Never hesitate to invest in yourself.

5. You will boost your business. Taking advantage of continuing-education opportunities will improve your level of pet care, set you apart from your competition and help you feel more confident, and all of these results can have a positive impact on your business revenues. You can run your business more efficiently and effectively with your newly-gained business knowledge, and you can attract new clients by marketing your new credentials or staying up-to-date on the latest marketing techniques. This will have a positive impact on your bottom line that can more than make up for any money you spend on courses or books.

6. You will boost the industry. Pet sitting is a professional career option, but sometimes it may feel like the general public, or even your friends or family, don’t understand that. Over the years PSI has worked hard to promote the professionalism of the industry through a variety of efforts, such as launching the industry’s only knowledge-assessed certification exam designed specifically for professional pet sitters.

You play an important role in promoting the professionalism of the industry as well. By investing in ongoing education, you demonstrate that you’re not just the neighborhood kid down the street or the friend looking for some extra cash—you are a qualified professional who is dedicated to her career and is part of a larger industry that is championing superior pet-care services.

Pet sitters, what educational resources have helped you most in your pet-sitting career? Share in the comments below.