AN UPDATE FROM KAREN PRYOR CLICKER TRAINING
As we approach the end of 2024, we would like to provide an update on our ongoing initiatives to foster inclusivity in training and behavior.
Our scholarship programs have continued to increase access to our educational offerings at every stage of the learning journey, from foundational courses for beginners through professional certification within the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program. In 2024, 16 students enrolled with the scholarship program, up from 9 in 2023. The number of scholarships offered increased slightly, and we saw a significant increase in the students accepting and enrolling with scholarships. In 2024, we also expanded the number of on-demand courses to which scholarships can be applied. With our other expanded scholarship initiatives for KPA courses at The Karen Pryor National Training Center - The Ranch and ClickerExpo educational conferences, we anticipate that about 40 students will have enrolled in one of our educational programs through scholarship funding in 2024.
In 2025, we will maintain our commitment to providing scholarship programs for KPA and the 2025 ClickerExpo conferences and courses at The Ranch in Graham, Washington.
In addition, in response to increases in 2024 scholarship requests for the Dog Trainer Professional program, we will increase the number of series with scholarship opportunities available in 2025. Although there will be a slight decrease in financial support with each scholarship, we believe expanding the opportunity to be more widely available is the right choice based on the feedback we've received.
In 2024, we expanded our content and featured speakers and faculty from a broader range of communities through our KPA LIVE classes, ClickerExpo conference programs, and Live from The Ranch broadcasts on YouTube. We will continue to evaluate our programming, operations, and offerings for additional opportunities for improvement and to implement changes that improve accessibility and engagement through our various platforms and brands.
Lastly, throughout 2024, we continued our support through cash donation to Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity Inc (CARE). CARE prioritizes and amplifies BIPOC and other Marginalized Voices through Narratives, Research, and Community-Centered investments. You can find 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.