KENNEL CLUB RECOGNISES THE SPECIALIST ROLE OF DOG WARDENS

The Kennel Club Accredited Instructor accreditation scheme KCAI has identified that the role of Dog Warden is a specialised role. This means Dog Wardens can now apply for &lsquospecialist&rsquo accreditation by submitting a module in Responsible Dog Ownership and the Dog Warden module.

Many Dog Wardens may have been wondering how the whole KCAI scheme applied to them, especially if they did not have any canine interest outside of their primary role. The specialist recognition by KCAI will now enable all Dog Wardens to work towards accreditation and be rightly recognised as specialists in their field.

NDWA President Sue Bell said 'I am very keen to see as many Dog Wardens as possible achieve the recognition of their skills and experience with a nationally recognised qualification.

Unfortunately many colleagues in Local and Central Government still do not recognise nor appreciate the vital role that Dog Wardens perform.' 'The KCAI scheme will now dispel that myth' she continued.

Many Dog Wardens have already enrolled on the KCAI scheme and have either paid themselves or their employer may have paid for them to enrol. Some Local Authority colleagues have professional fees and educational courses paid for by their Council. Other dog professionals may also have professional fees and charges paid for by their company. Further information on the KCAI scheme can be found at www.kennelclub.org.uk/kcai

Notes for Editors:

The National Dog Warden Association NDWA was established in 1984 and is an association committed to the promotion of responsible dog and pet ownership and the important and continuing role of Animal and Dog Wardens in the 21st century.

NDWA acts as a beacon of excellence for its members within which they can exchange ideas and views and advance dog warden services to the government, public and other animal welfare organisations. Normal duties include the enforcement of dog related legislation including those within the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Members also advise the public on their legal duties regarding pet ownership and visit schools to talk to children on animal care.

Members of the public who have lost or found a dog can also use the NDWA website as a one stop shop for advice on what to do. As the national website you can search for information in more than one region - dogs do not know when they have crossed from one county to another and in some cases they may have been taken to a different region.

For more information www.ndwa.co.uk or training@ndwa.co.uk.

KCAI

The Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour KCAI The Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme is the UK&rsquos quality benchmark for instruction and teaching in the canine world.

It is the first and only scheme in the UK for Instructors in dog training and behaviour to be approved by City & Guilds NPTC. For the first time in the UK, instructors involved in teaching dog training and advising on canine behaviour can, through the scheme, have the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised, credible and externally verified qualification.