Animal Behavior College Announces the 2016 Coastal Pet Products, Inc. Scholarship Winners

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Why do some people aspire to be professional dog trainers? What do they want to achieve? This was the subject of Animal Behavior College’s (ABC) 2016 Coastal Pet Products scholarship essay contest. The scholarship, which is sponsored by Coastal Pet Products Inc., a pet product manufacturer, provided two ABC Dog Obedience Program students with full scholarships. The scholarship recipients, Leslie Bussinger (seen pictured below) of Colfax, California, and Portia E. Scott of Florissant, Missouri, were selected for how well they explained their achievement goals and their commitment to strengthening the bond between dog owners and their canines.

“Coastal Pet Products is pleased to support educational programs, like this one, that align with our commitment to enriching the interactions between pets and people,” said Marcy Ream, the company’s director of marketing

“We are pleased Coastal Pet Products continues to support professional dog trainer education,” said Steven Appelbaum, president and CEO of Animal Behavior College. “This year’s scholarship winners expressed a sincere commitment to helping owners build a strong and dynamic relationship with their dogs.”

Based in Alliance, Ohio, Coastal Pet Products is a family-owned American manufacturer specializing in collars, leashes and harnesses, retractable leashes, tie outs, grooming tools and toys for dogs and cats. Since 1968, the industry leader has produced quality products that fundamentally support healthy and safe interactions between pets and their owners. The company’s website also offers advice and resources such as an Education Center that features educational videos, tips, and information on how to choose and use their products.

The essay contest provides financial assistance and support for future student pet professionals enrolled in ABC’s dog training curriculum. To qualify, applicants needed to demonstrate a financial need and submit a 300-word essay about what they plan to achieve as a professional dog trainer. Judges reviewed each entry and selected applicants who communicated their goals best.

“If I can be the conduit for training and provide the opportunity for the dog and owner to understand the needs and actions that are wanted and required, then I feel I would be contributing to a phenomenal cause in the way of dog and human relationships,” Bussinger wrote.

“My heart lays [lies] with dogs in shelters and the like. My goal would be to volunteer as a professional trainer to make these animals more attractive to those looking to adopt. I want to contribute all that I can to seeing them find forever homes,” Scott wrote.

To learn more about Coastal Pet Products, Inc., visit the website at http://www.coastalpet.com. To become a dog trainer or learn about Animal Behavior College’s Grooming Instruction and Veterinary Assistant Programs, visit the website at http://www.AnimalBehaviorCollege.com/info or call 800-795-3294.