Certifications That Keep Your Pup Safe at The Good Dog Spot

At The Good Dog Spot, we know that when you drop your dog off for daycare, boarding, or grooming, you are trusting us with a member of your family. That is not something we take lightly. From the very beginning, our mission has been to create a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where dogs can thrive. A huge part of that promise comes down to education, training, and professional certification.

While the pet care industry has very little regulation, we have chosen to go above and beyond to ensure that our staff is trained, tested, and certified. Why? Because your dog deserves the very best.

A Few Examples of Our Certification & Standards

• Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC): The PACCC is an independent certification organization created to bring higher standards to pet care. By being PACCC certified, we hold ourselves accountable to top industry standards while focusing on the emotional and physical well-being of your dog.
• Fear Free Certified Professional: Trips away from home can sometimes make pets feel stressed. That is why our team has pursued Fear Free certification, which focuses on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. From our approach to handling dogs to the way we set up our spaces, this certification ensures that we keep your pup’s comfort in mind at all times.
• International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA): We are proud members of IBPSA, a leading professional association serving the pet care industry. Membership connects us with the latest research, best practices, and continuing education, so our staff stays on top of the highest standards in boarding, daycare, and grooming.

Going Even Further: Staff Credentials

Certifications are not just for the company. Our leadership team and staff have taken their dedication even further.

• Cory Staples and Elizabeth Staples are Certified Professional Animal Care Operators (CPACO). To earn this, they met strict requirements and passed a comprehensive exam covering health and nutrition, behavior, safety, training, and more.
• Jennifer Rueli, our Lead Instructor at Spot On Academy, is also a Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM), a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College, a Pet Tech First Aid and CPR Instructor, a Fear Free Certified Professional, a Certified groomer, as well as Husbandry & Handling certified through the Grisha Stewart Academy and Karen Pryor Academy.
• Every staff member at both locations is trained and certified in pet first aid and CPR through Pet Tech. Emergencies are rare, but if one ever happened, our staff would be prepared to respond quickly and appropriately.

Jennifer shared, “Becoming certified as a Professional Animal Care Manager was an important milestone for me, both personally and professionally. Dog safety is my passion and I take it very seriously. Earning this certification allows me to better educate both our team and our clients; while ensuring we uphold the highest standards for the welfare of the pets in our care.”

Why These Certifications & Standards Matter for You and Your Dog

Every certification, every test, and every training session means your pup is getting the safest, most professional care possible. It means our staff is equipped to handle everything from a nervous pup on their first day to a playful pack ready for fun. It means peace of mind for you, knowing that your dog is in the hands of people who truly care and have the expertise to back it up.

Peace of Mind for You & Your Pup

Founded in 2007, we are proud to have built a community in both Chicopee and Northampton where dogs can socialize, learn, and play – doing so in a safe atmosphere. From daycare and boarding to grooming, spa treatments, transportation, and even birthday “pawties,” we are all about making life better for both pets and their people. 

At the end of the day, your dog’s happiness and safety come first. Certifications are just one of the many ways we prove it.