Elevating Our Standard of Care: Michael Jaurigue is Now a NAPPS Certified Professional Pet Sitter!
At Sparky Steps, we believe that caring for your pets is an incredible privilege. When you hand over the leash or trust us with the keys to your home, you are trusting us with a beloved member of your family. We take that responsibility to heart.
That is why we are incredibly proud to announce that our very own Michael Jaurigue has officially earned his certification through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)!
What is the NAPPS Certification Program?
Earning the NAPPS Certification is no walk in the park. It is a broad-range and in-depth self-paced course covering all topics relevant to pet sitting. To become certified, Michael had to master a rigorous curriculum spanning pet care, health, nutrition, and behavior for a wide variety of animals, as well as business management and pet first aid.
Here is a peek into the comprehensive modules he completed:
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Dog & Cat Studies: While dogs and cats might make up the majority of our furry clientele, there is always more to learn! These core courses cover advanced behavioral cues, breed-specific needs, and everything required to ensure your pets get the absolute best care on every visit.
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Rabbit Studies: A deep dive into the realm of the house rabbit! This section was incredibly detailed, covering health and nutrition, grooming, equipment, behavior, and vital safety protocols like cooling down an overheated bunny.
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Exotic Studies: People consider a wide variety of species as companions, and we want to be ready for all of them! This fascinating module introduced the specific care requirements for rodents, lizards, turtles, snakes, amphibians, fish, hermit crabs, ferrets, and even brown house crickets.
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Bird Studies: Avian companions have highly unique needs, and this section prepared Michael to safely and confidently care for our feathered friends.
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Pet First Aid: A complete pet first aid course preparing us to handle emergencies calmly and effectively to keep your pets safe.
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Business Management: Ensuring that Sparky Steps continues to operate with the highest level of professionalism, organization, and ethical client care.
A Legacy of Excellence: About NAPPS
When deciding where to get certified, choosing NAPPS was a no-brainer. Founded in 1989 by a small group of pet sitters, NAPPS is the only national, non-profit professional pet sitting association dedicated to raising industry standards. The NAPPS certification acknowledges that the pet sitter is a serious professional who has obtained a high level of expertise through their study.
Why Get Certified Now?
You might be wondering: Sparky Steps has been caring for Chicago’s pets for years, so why pursue this NAPPS certification now?
The answer is simple: we always want to be better for you and your pets. Earning this certification right now is our way of ensuring that our foundation is rock-solid. It provides us with enhanced skills and gives our clients the trust that we invest deeply in the care of their pets. We are committed to bringing the latest and greatest in pet care knowledge straight to your doorstep.
Thank you to all of our amazing clients for your continued trust and support. We can’t wait to put this new knowledge into action on our next visit!
