International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Service area: global

The IAABC Foundation offers a selection of instructed courses, mentorships, self-study programs, and webinars, all providing CEU credits for professionals. These educational offerings cover a wide range of topics in animal behavior and training science, research, challenges, and best practices.

A flagship offering is the 20-week “Professional Dog Training: Science & Application” instructed course, designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to succeed as dog trainers. This program includes weekly online meetings, projects, assignments, and topic-based discussions, fostering a community learning model. Module topics include Principles of Learning Science, Practical Learning Applications, Body Language & Communication, Training & Management Tools, Puppy Fundamentals, Enhancing Animal Welfare & Management Through Enrichment, Husbandry & Cooperative Care Strategies, Client Communication, Client Instruction, Teaching Group Classes, and Practical Ethics for Dog Trainers.

The Foundation also hosts an annual Animal Behavior Conference, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options, featuring expert speakers from the field. They publish an award-winning, peer-reviewed Journal that includes articles on various species such as dogs, cats, horses, and parrots, as well as topics related to shelter and working animals. Additionally, the IAABC Foundation runs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including “Listening Sessions” to gather community feedback and “Scholarships” for marginalized communities, aiming to create a more inclusive and accessible field of animal training and behavior.

Pricing Summary

The “Professional Dog Training: Science & Application” instructed course costs $3,800 for a full student. No auditing option is available for this specific program. Other courses and webinars may have different pricing.

Policies

For courses, a 90% refund is available up to 30 days prior to the event. A 50% refund is available up to 15 days prior to the event. No refunds will be issued after these specified deadlines.

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to inspiring, developing, and providing quality, evidence-based education, research, and other charitable activities in animal training and behavior. It operates as an independent sister organization to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

The Foundation offers a variety of programs, including an award-winning, peer-reviewed Journal, instructed and self-study courses, mentorships, and events like conferences. They also focus on social media outreach and initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the animal behavior field. The organization is largely run by volunteers.

For dog owners seeking a trainer, the IAABC Foundation serves as a resource for finding professionals who have received evidence-based education and adhere to ethical practices. While they do not directly provide dog training services to individual pet owners, they are a key organization in advancing the standards and knowledge base for animal behavior consultants and trainers globally.

Accomplishments

The IAABC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. They publish an award-winning, peer-reviewed Journal. Many of their educators and board members hold advanced academic degrees (PhD, DVM, MS, MBA) and various professional certifications, including DACVB, CAAB, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KSA, CEBC, and FFCP.

Notable individuals associated with the Foundation include Michelle Mullins, the current board president, who has guest lectured at Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee. Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Vice President of the IAABC Foundation Board, is an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and author of “The Stress Factor in Dogs”. Dr. Amy Learn, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, received the RK Anderson Resident Research Award. Dr. Mary Burch is the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Director, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, and an author of eight books, having been inducted into the DWAA Hall of Fame.

How to Get Started!

To engage with the IAABC Foundation’s educational programs, individuals can register for specific courses or events through their online learning platform. For those interested in their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, participation in “Listening Sessions” can be arranged by contacting questions@iaabcfoundation.org or by submitting feedback via an anonymous form. Scholarship applications are also available for individuals from marginalized communities.