Below is information which has been sent in the past to those inquiring about membership with the Professional Dog Walkers Assoc. Int. who were thinking of starting a dog walking or sitting company. I hope it helps you. It has some contact numbers that could help you with your resources. If you have any other questions, let me know and I will do what I can to assist you. Take care!

Dianne Eibner
Founder/Past President, PDWAI
http://www.ProDogWalker.com/

Thank you for your interest in membership with the Professional Dog Walkers Division of the International Association of Canine Professionals. (IACP)

For information on joining the IACP, and specific qualifications, please see the Membership button on the website at http://www.dogpro.org/ and check out the How to Apply section for details.

INSURANCE:

For insurance in the United States please visit http://www.dogtrainerins.com/

For insurance within Ontario please contact Shelley Giasson of Schofield-Aker Limited by phone at 1-866-883-7267 or email her at sgiasson@schofieldaker.com for assistance.

For coverage in or outside of Ontario but in Canada, you could also contact Susan Dimarco of Verge Insurance Group by phone at 1-866-717-7889 or by e-mail at verge@vergeinsurance.com for assistance.

CREDENTIALS:

For pet first aid in the United States, contact the Red Cross or ASPCA.
Here is a helpful link: http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/pfachapter.html

For information on locating a Pet First Aid course in the Toronto, Ontario area, contact the PDWAI at jogadog@sympatico.ca
Re-certification is necessary every two years.

PROGRAMS

The Dog Walker Mentoring Program:
The Dog Walker Mentoring Program is offered in the City of Toronto only.
For availability and bookings please contact jogadog@sympatico.ca

The Pet Dog Training and Behaviour Course:
This is also offered only in the City of Toronto.
For more details on course dates please contact Dorothy Avery at averyd@smh.toronto.on.ca or call her at 416-421-6019

Since we cannot offer the Dog Walker Mentoring Program or the Pet Dog Training outside of Toronto, we suggest that you volunteer at a shelter for at least 25 hours in total or the minimum required by the shelter with a confirmation letter from them as equivalent experience.

Contact the ASPCA by phone at (212) 876-7700 for assistance in locating the appropriate training programs in your vicinity, or contact your local dog training centres.
The website is www.aspca.org

Also, for a trainer, contact the International Association of Canine Professionals at iacpadmin@mindspring.com or by phone at 407-469-2008.
The website address is http://www.dogpro.org/

Should you be unable to partake of our training here in Toronto, you will need to locate local a training service in your area.
Please verify these qualifications with IACP and contact them for assistance.

If you haven't read The Face In The Window - A Guide to Professional Dog Walking and Home Boarding written by Dianne Eibner, Founder and Past President of the PDWAI, you can order it by sending an e-mail to jogadog@sympatico.ca or calling 1-800-275-0910 or visiting her website at http://www.jogadog.ca/
It is a very helpful resource for those starting a dog walking business, filled with clever tips and words of wisdom.

To complete your business you will need contracts and other informational forms for you and your clients. To learn more about Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Start Up Forms, please email petforms@aol.com

We hope that we've been of assistance.

Sincerely,

Dianne Eibner
Founder/Past President, PDWAI
http://www.ProDogWalker.com/