Embracing the ‘one team’ approach to the sector
By Corrin Goodall & Natalie Light
Published on 8th May 2024
Nat and Corrin on a beach in Wales
What does being an ABTC accredited practitioner mean for the humans and dogs we currently care for and those we may meet in the future?
We’re sure they would want training and behaviour professionals to come together if they share a compassionate ethos and practise with ethical, welfare-friendly and effective methods.
By collectively helping to progress the industry towards regulation and public recognition, we have to embrace our passion for change and wanting better for the companion animals we love. Progress isn’t about what immediate benefits an individual gains, but instead, working towards the bigger picture - setting the foundations for a sector we’ll eventually leave behind (hopefully in a better condition than we entered it). The added benefits to bigger picture thinking involve contributing to and gaining strength from a community and the continued support of like-minded humans whether you need it now or in the future.
Can this collaborative future exist?
Do we believe this to be possible and affordable?
The answer of course is YES! But it can only be achieved if we all work together. Just like the non-humans we work with, dog professionals have needs too!
We need to ask for better
We need to encourage others to be a part of the journey
We need to support each other
We need to collaboratively celebrate our wins
We need to work with what we have
The PACT team with their B Corp plaque
It can be massively deflating to see people we respect that have a huge reach & following on social media seemingly disregarding the hard work and life dedication of other professionals that are spending a great deal of time for the plight of animal welfare. There’s a bigger threat out there that we should be pushing against (not on socials – in education, legislation and beyond) and that’s the continual widespread use of punitive and aversive methods in the name of ‘training’ our companions.
If those of us on the same “team” can’t unite, how much of a chance do we truly have? Recognised courses, qualifications, experience and accreditation bring with them a certain level of exclusivity. But exclusivity when we’re considering having the welfare of sentient beings in our hands is not something that we should be ashamed of. We should be proud of it.
So . . .
If you want to be a part of a movement that has the ultimate goal of improving companion animal
If you want to stand with those you have a shared goal with
If you want to help better the living experience of the animals we care so deeply for
. . . Let’s stop bickering and join hands.
#oneteam
