Education and support offered to those working with dogs

Purina PRO PLAN and the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour (KCAI) have formed a new partnership to deliver education, guidance and support for those that work with dogs.

The partnership aims to deliver face-to-face quality educational advice and guidance to canine professionals, with a series of regional events running throughout 2013 and further into the future.

The partnership will begin with a new feature at Crufts 2013 - the KCAI Career Zone in collaboration with Purina PRO PLAN. It will be aimed at professionals in the dog world and will see industry experts offer seminars, workshops and career guidance. KCAI members and professionals working with dogs, who book into the Career Zone in advance, will be offered free entry to Crufts.

There will be a KCAI Scheme Annual Member event at the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on June 8 and 9, 2013. The event is designed to develop the knowledge and experience of KCAI members through a series of workshops and lectures. Purina PRO PLAN will also deliver a series of lectures explaining the fundamental role that nutrition plays in canine behaviour.

There are further events planned across the UK and the full schedule will be announced shortly.

Chairman of the KCAI Board, Paul Rawlings, said: “Ourselves and Purina PRO PLAN are passionate about improving the health and welfare of dogs through training, education and optimum nutrition. Our partnership marks an exciting new era for the scheme, where we can work together to continually raise standards and support experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the canine world.”

Judith Nicholson, recommendation manager for Purina PRO PLAN, said: “We… are delighted to be working with the KCAI Scheme to ensure that canine professionals are given access to quality training and education resources.”