This is a very special episode where we highlight ABMA’s 2025 Premier Sponsor: Pets for Vets with the organization’s founder and executive director Clarissa Black. Clarissa starts by discussing how the organization was formed, what the organization does, and their very important mission. She then gives information on how trainers can get involved with the organization and the process for applying for a pet while sharing some incredible and life-changing success stories. Clarissa finishes the conversation by giving advice and learning into the world of therapy pet training and examples of some of the incredible training that is accomplished. Stay tuned in for Clarissa’s "Training Tale" of teaching her puppy appropriate social interactions using a stuffed panda bear. If you would like to see a picture of Bear, the dog who inspired Clarissa to develop Pets For Vets, check out ABMA's social media channels! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org. To contact Clarissa email cblack@petsforvets.com and to learn more about Pets for Vets and how you can get involved visit https://petsforvets.com/
3:10 Intro to Clarissa Black
6:30 Overview and mission of Pets for Vets
10:20 How to get involved as a trainer
11:30 Success Stories
16:00 The process of choosing the specific pet for each veteran
18:50 How to apply for a pet
20:10 How to start your pet training journey
25:20 Lessons learned from zoological training that apply to pet training
30:35 Difference in training with animals that share our (home) environment
32:34 Nightmare training and other examples of training with therapy pets
38:55 Reciprocal expression and perception of behavior
45:05 Common challenges when training therapy dogs and other pets
51:00 “Training Tales”