Gwangju University and The Pet House Join Hands to Foster Talent in the Companion Animal Industry

Gwangju University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation recently signed a business agreement with The Pet House Cooperative to foster practical professionals in the companion animal health industry and promote mutual development. Photo by Gwangju University

On May 16, Gwangju University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation announced that it had recently signed a business agreement with The Pet House Cooperative to foster practical professionals in the companion animal health industry and promote mutual development.

The Pet House Cooperative was established in 2012, at a time when there were almost no animal protection organizations in the Gwangju region. Recognizing that the fundamental causes of the stray animal problem are a lack of understanding of companion animals by guardians and abandonment due to behavioral issues, the cooperative has focused on improving companion animal culture and educating guardians. Since its founding, CEO Jung Wook has contributed to raising awareness about companion animal protection in the local community by conducting various educational programs and campaigns for proper coexistence with companion animals.

Through this agreement, the two organizations plan to pursue a range of joint initiatives, including: exchange of technology and information; cooperation in joint industry-academic research and technology development; operation of linked educational programs and provision of internship and field training opportunities; joint use of research equipment and infrastructure development; and other collaborative projects to promote industry-academic cooperation. In particular, they aim to create synergy between education and industry through ongoing cooperation and communication, with the core goal of nurturing talent equipped with practical skills required in the companion animal health industry.

Choi Hyuk, head of the Department of Companion Animal Health Industry, said, "Our department operates an all-in-one curriculum that covers the entire spectrum of companion animal medical and health care, grooming, training, and the industry as a whole. All faculty members are doing their utmost to guide students so that our graduates can immediately demonstrate their abilities in the field."

Noh Sunshik, head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, stated, "With the continuous growth of the companion animal industry, demand for talent who can be immediately deployed in the field is also rapidly increasing. Through this agreement, we will effectively link the human and material resources of both organizations and jointly build a field-oriented education base."