B.A.B.A. Members Earn Avian Certification

Washington, DC - Judith Glick, Terri Leinneweber and Susan Sedlmayr of the Big Apple Bird Association in New York City recently met certification requirements of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) as Certified Avian Specialist (CAS). This set of credential is part of a study program of veterinary care and animal husbandry under the PIJAC Certified Animal Speciality Program, which offers five subjects of study: avian, canine, freshwater fish, reptile and small animal.

The PIJAC Certification Program was established in 1991 to provide continuing education to retailers and their employees, veterinary care staff, breeders, hobbyists and other enthusiasts involved in the care of companion pets. The two-module program employs seminars taught by well-known and respected veterinarians experienced in particular fields of care (in the freshwater fish study program, experts in that field are used) and a self-paced home study workbook program. Completion of any fields of the study offered enhances working relationships with other professionals in the field and promotes confidence with customers.

The course of avian study includes the proper care and handling of birds, dietary needs of a variety of bird species, environment and sanitation standards and the identification and treatment of common disorders. Completion of this program -- and others -- enhances the working relationship of retailers, commercial breeders and hobbyists with consulting veterinarians.

Ms. Glick, Ms. Leinneweber and Ms. Sedlmayr join a growing number of pet care professionals whose credentials include a variety of the designations: Certified Avian Specialist (CAS), Certified Canine Specialist (CCS), Certified Freshwater Fish Specialist (CFFS), Certified Reptile Specialist (CRS), Certified Small Animal Specialist (CSAS) and Certified Animal Specialist . For those that have earned at least three sets of credentials). "The PIJAC continuing education and certification program advances the importance of professional companion animal care, it enables consumers and the government to distinguish between those who have met competency standards versus those who have not and it enhances the quality of competency within the pet industry," stated Marshall Meyers, PIJAC Executive Vice-President and General Counsel. "More important benefits of certification," Meyers explained, "include a better quality of life for a companion bird and a better informed pet owner who takes the responsibility for providing the best possible care to their new family friend."

The Washington, DC-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, a non-for-profit association, established a continuing education and certification program to improve the quality of professional competence within the companion pet industry. PIJAC represents nearly 2,000 members and is the only trade association that represents all segments of the pet industry including retailers, product distributors, manufacturers, companion animal suppliers and breeders and a number of supporting pet industry trade associations.