Animal-Assisted Activity Manager Certification Program
Gwanak-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Park Junhee) is operating the "Local Pet Expert Training Program" to nurture professionals for the companion animal service industry.
This program is a collaborative project between Gwanak-gu, Sahmyook University, and Sahmyook Health University, selected through the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s "Seoul RISE Project" competition. The goal is to vitalize the local economy by fostering talent specializing in companion animals within the community.
In preparation for the main program next year, Gwanak-gu and Sahmyook University designed a pilot training course in December. The course consists of five sessions, each lasting two hours per week, and includes both theoretical and practical training. Participants who meet the requirements for the written exam can obtain the "Animal-Assisted Activity Manager" certification.
When registration opened on December 1, the high level of interest led to early closure of applications. As inquiries about additional classes continued, the district expanded the class size from the initial 10 participants to 16. The training is held at the Gwanak-gu Job Caf? from December 12 until January 9 of the following year. Starting next year, the district plans to offer the main training course once every quarter, providing more residents with opportunities to earn companion animal-related certifications.
District Mayor Park Junhee stated, "This program demonstrates that residents’ desire to gain professional knowledge and pursue employment or start businesses in the companion animal field is just as strong as industry demand," adding, "We will do our best to nurture local talent and promote employment and entrepreneurship through the continued operation of the companion animal certification program."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
