Pet Professional Guild Appoints First Shock-Free Coalition Regional Coordinators

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - July 26, 2018 - PRLog -- The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has appointed the first regional coordinators for its Shock-Free Coalition (shockfree.org), a global advocacy campaign which aims to end the practice of administering electric shock to train, manage, and care for pets. Coordinators will work directly with PPG leadership in tandem with its legal and public relations partners to begin working on legislation worldwide.

Following a successful launch in September 2017, the establishment of regional chapters throughout the United States and internationally marks the second phase of the Shock-Free Coalition and focuses on growing the brand via localized advocacy activities. The first regional coordinators will all help build their roles from a grassroots level and have been named as Kim Silver (Arizona, USA), Pam Francis-Tuss (California, USA), Eve Salimbene and Joyce Kesling (Florida, USA), Don Hanson (Maine, USA), Rain Jordan (Oregon, USA), Stefania Butkovic (Canada), Rachel Hayball (England, United Kingdom), Claire Staines (Scotland, United Kingdom) and Yvette Potter (Gibraltar). PPG is still taking applications for the role and many more are set to join them as the initiative builds momentum.

The Shock-Free Coalition is the first advocacy program of its kind to have been initiated by a member association for pet professionals. Key goals include engaging and educating pet owners and shelter/rescue workers to help them make informed decisions about the management, care and training of the pets in their charge; building a worldwide coalition that provides pet owners access to competent, educated pet industry service providers; and creating widespread pet industry transparency and compliance regarding how professionals implement their services and communicate their philosophy to pet owners.

"The role of Shock-Free Coalition coordinator is an exciting one for individuals who are passionate about the initiative, the pledge and its goals, and who want to work closely with PPG to move our advocacy platform forward," said PPG president, Niki Tudge. "With the added support of a legal team, this will be a dynamic and fast-paced movement. The drive to ban electric shock in the pet industry is gathering momentum and it is time for the associations and organizations representing pet training and behavior professionals to take a stand and make public policy decisions on the use and potential fallout of electric shock collars. PPG is already working hard behind the scenes with a group of lawyers to develop a legal strategy to remove these devices from circulation and there will be much more action to come as we move further into Phase 2 of the Shock-Free Coalition. This is a watershed moment for PPG and the lives of our pets."

About The Pet Professional Guild

The Pet Professional Guild is a 501(c)6 a member organization founded on the principles of force-free training and pet care. Its membership represents pet industry professionals who are committed to force-free training, pet care philosophies, practices and methods. Pet Professional Guild members understand force-free to mean that shock, pain, choke, fear, physical force, and/or compulsion-based methods are never employed to train or care for a pet.

About the Shock-Free Coalition

The key purpose of the Shock-Free Coalition is to build a strong and broad movement committed to eliminating shock devices from the supply and demand chain. This goal will be reached when shock tools and equipment are universally unavailable and not permitted for the training, management and care of pets.The Shock-Free Coalition believes that pets have an intrinsic right to be treated humanely, to have each of their individual needs met, and to live in a safe, enriched environment free from force, pain and fear. The initiative has been developed purposely to bring together parties that have mutual business interests and a personal investment in the welfare of pets and embraces stakeholders of similar values and interests, enabling all parties to combine their resources and become more successful in achieving the stated goals. Members of the Shock-Free Coalition consider it to be their responsibility and utmost obligation to be vigilant, to educate, to remain engaged and work toward eliminating shock as a permissible tool so it is never considered a viable option in the training, management and care of pets.

To join the coalition and sign the pledge visit The Shock-Free Coalition website

Shock-Free Coalition: https://www.shockfree.org

Shock-Free Coalition on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shockfreecoalition

Shock-Free Coalition Coordinator Role: https://www.shockfree.org/Coordinator

Key Pet Professional Guild Position Statements

The Use of Shock in Animal Training: http://petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars

The Use of Remote Electric Shock: http://petprofessionalguild.com/The-Use-of-Remote-Electric-Shock

The Use of Pet Correction Devices: http://petprofessionalguild.com/Equipment-Used-for-the-Management-Training-and-Care-of-Pets