MENOMINEE –Dog trainer, Meghan M. Smith, CPDT-KA, of Wallace, has earned certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She joins over 3,000 certificants worldwide.

Until the creation of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2001, there was no true certification process for canine professionals. Many schools teach dog trainers and offer certifications for their specific programs. These certificates, therefore, reflect the teachings and quality of a specific school. Other organizations offer take-home tests for “certification”. These canine professionals are not monitored to ensure they are completing the test without any assistance or collaboration nor is the testing process standardized.

Candidates who pass the exam earn the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed and may use the designation “CPDT-KA” after their names. Meghan Smith CPDT-KA trains full-time at Mighty Pet in Menominee.