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Observance creator Pet Sitters International is highlighting the educational resources available to today’s professional pet sitters and dog walkers.

KING, N.C. (September 3, 2024) — This September marks Pet Sitters International’s ninth annual Pet-Sitter Education Month™, and the world’s leading educational association for professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners is using this annual observance to highlight the wealth of educational resources available to today’s pet-care providers—and to remind pet parents of the benefit of hiring a professional pet sitter who prioritizes continuing education.

Pet Sitters International (PSI) created this annual observance in 2016 to highlight professional pet sitters’ commitment to continuing education and the growing number of educational resources available to today’s professional pet sitters and dog walkers. To assist professional pet sitters in taking advantage of educational opportunities in the industry this month, PSI has made available a Pet-Sitter Education Month section on petsit.com that includes links to pet-sitter resources and special September discounts on education products.

“More than three decades ago when I started pet sitting, there were no pet-sitting specific resources available to me,” said PSI Founder & CEO Patti J. Moran. “I had to start from scratch, but today’s pet sitters don’t have to scramble for educational resources. We love to shine a spotlight on education each September to remind pet sitters of all the resources available to them—and to remind pet parents of the importance of selecting a trained, professional pet sitter for their pet-care needs.”

PSI’s member businesses have demonstrated a commitment to learning. Results from PSI’s 2024 State of the Industry Survey indicated that 92 percent of PSI members have pursued post-secondary education.

With the growth of the industry, professional pet sitters and dog walkers now have access to more pet-sitter specific educational resources than ever before, from online courses and learning subscriptions to on-demand webinars and annual conferences, and through PSI’s CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter^® Exam, experienced pet sitters are able to demonstrate their education and qualifications.

“This also means that pet parents don’t have to settle for untrained or inexperienced pet lovers when selecting someone to care for their pets,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “Any pet lover can create a profile in an app or online directory offering pet-care services, but professional pet sitters who have invested in continuing education are available and will be best equipped to provide exceptional care for pets.”

PSI encourages pet parents to inquire about pet sitters’ training and credentials prior to booking services and provides a free Pet-Sitter Interview Checklist at petsit.com.

Founded in 1994, PSI celebrated its 30^th business anniversary in March. Some of PSI’s efforts to elevate education in the industry over the past 30 years have included:

• Publishing the first magazine for professional pet sitters, now called Pet Sitter’s World.
• Hosting the industry’s first international conference, now called Pet Sitter World Educational Conference.
• Offering the first—and only—knowledge-assessed certification exam specifically for professional pet sitters (PSI members can earn the CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter^® designation)
• Adding new online learning opportunities for busy pet sitters, including a full list of online courses and an online learning subscription

To learn more about PSI or to find a local PSI pet sitter, visit petsit.com/locate.

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