As we near the end of 2022, we wanted to share an update about our ongoing efforts to make the field of training and behavior more inclusive.

Our scholarship programs have continued to increase access to our educational offerings at each step of the learning process, from foundational courses for beginners through professional certification in our Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program. In 2022, we offered scholarships to the DTP program in 17 locations, and 12 students enrolled in the course as scholarship recipients, an increase in both offered and accepted scholarships.  From generous outside donations, we were also able to award an additional 6 scholarships toward the DTP program. In combination with our other scholarship programs for KPA courses, for courses at The Karen Pryor National Training Center - The Ranch, and for ClickerExpo educational conferences, we project that in 2022 more than 50 students will have enrolled in one of our educational offerings using scholarship funding.

In 2023, we will continue to offer scholarship programs for KPA, as well as for our virtual conference ClickerExpo LIVE, our in-person conference ClickerExpo Washington, DC, and our programs at The Ranch- in Graham, Washington. 

We will continue to evaluate our programming, operations, and offerings for additional opportunities for improvement and to implement changes that improve access. In 2022, operational changes included adding captioning and alt text across our properties and brands, continuing a program of staff and teacher education, and solidifying content-review processes. The last effort resulted in the addition of new speakers to our 2023 conference roster and a first-time panel on diversity and inclusion at ClickerExpo LIVE. 

We are continuing our active participation in fellow training organizations’ initiatives, including IAABC’s Listening Series, and look forward to sharing more of what we learn together.

Finally, through 2022 we supported organizations on the front lines of change and will continue to do so. We made cash donations to two organizations in 2022. We donated for the second year to The Community Justice Exchange, which produces tools and resources for organizers to creatively tackle multiple drivers of criminalization and incarceration, including the National Bail Fund Network. The second recipient was the  Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity Inc (CARE), which “prioritizes and amplifies BIPOC and other Marginalized Voices using Narratives, Research, and Community-Centered investments.” You can see an example of how CARE integrates animals, animal welfare, and education into their excellent programmatic work here.  

We look forward to sharing more updates as they become available.