The Heroes for Healthy Pets certification program was created to help veterinary professionals and pet businesses create facilities dedicated to being disease free. The program is co-sponsored by the International Boarding and Pet Services Association, VETgirl, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians, Pet Sitters International, and Barkleigh Productions and is powered by Clorox Healthcare and Merck Animal Health, makers of Nobivac® vaccines.

Module One: Understanding Infectious Disease

Michelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM is a small animal internist with the Atlantic Veterinary College. She received her DVM and DACVIM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, SK, Canada and is currently working on a PhD with the University of Guelph.

Jason Stull, VMD, MPVM, PhD Diplomate ACVPM, is an assistant professor at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He obtained his PhD in Pathobiology at the University of Guelph and his Masters of Preventive Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Before coming to the Ohio State University, Dr. Stull was the State Public Health Veterinarian in New Hampshire.  

Module Two: Infectious Disease Control

Melissa Bourgeois, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Virology, Immunology) graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 with a DVM, and in 2010 with a PhD in veterinary medicine. Dr. Bourgeois became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM) in virology (2011) and immunology (2013). Since July 2015, Dr. Bourgeois has worked for Merck Animal Health as a Senior Drug Safety Specialist.

To become certified, the veterinary professional must view both modules and then pass a certification exam. The program also provides 2 hours of RACE approved continuing education credit for veterinary professionals.  Facility certifications are also available. Visit heroes4healthypets.com for more information about this free program.

Photo credit: © iStock/Ksuksa