Frequently Asked Questions
Pet Emergency Academy and Animal Care and Wellness Institute
General Course Access and Login
How do I access my course after purchasing a registration?
During checkout, you will create your username and password before completing payment. Once payment is processed, you can immediately log in to your account at www.animalcareandwellnessinstitute.com and begin your on-demand course. There are no additional approval steps required.
In rare cases, our website security system may send an email verification link to confirm your email address. If you receive a verification email, simply click the link to activate your account. If you do not see an email receipt or login information in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder.
Please note: On-demand virtual courses are accessed only through Pet Emergency Academy. They are not accessible through other Pet Emergency Education or Animal Care and Wellness Institute websites.
What if I forget my password?
You can reset your password by visiting the My Account page and selecting “Lost Password.” Follow the instructions to reset your credentials securely.
Can I access my course on a mobile device?
Yes. Our online pet CPR and first aid certification courses are accessible on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. For the best experience, we recommend using a stable internet connection and an updated web browser.
How long do I have access to my course?
All on-demand certification courses must be completed within 30 days of purchase for Foundation and Core Courses. Master courses must be completed in 90 days. Courses are self-paced and asynchronous, meaning you may log in and out as often as needed during that period.
Course Content and Certification
Will I receive a certificate when I complete the course?
Yes. Upon successful completion of all course requirements and achieving a passing score on all assessments, your official certification will be immediately available for download and printing from your account profile page and the course dashboard.
Our certifications are internationally recognized and widely accepted across the animal care and veterinary industries.
What do I receive with my registration?
Each registrant receives:
• Access to the full online training course
• A digital eBook reference guide for Core and Master courses
• An official downloadable certification certificate
• A two-year subscription to our Animal Health and Wellness Resource Center
• Authorization to use the certification logo for professional promotion (where applicable)
Do I need special supplies to complete the course?
No special equipment is required. However, for courses that include pet CPR training, we strongly recommend practicing compressions and positioning techniques using a stuffed animal to improve confidence and skill retention.
Can I print the eBook?
No. For copyright protection, all eBooks are view-only digital documents and cannot be printed. The eBook link is located in the introductory section of your course.
How long does each course take to complete?
Foundational courses take the average user 1 contact hour to complete. Core courses are designed to provide approximately 3-4 contact hours to complete and Master courses take approximately 10 hours to complete. Actual completion time may vary by participant.
How am I tested to become certified?
Courses include structured readings, instructional videos, quizzes, and practical knowledge checks. A comprehensive final exam is required. Participants must achieve a 100 percent passing score; however, multiple attempts are allowed to ensure mastery of the material.
How long is my certification valid?
Certification is valid for 2 years, which aligns with industry standards. Certifications for participants under 18 years of age are valid for 4 years.
Do I need to renew my certification?
Yes. We require renewing every 2 years to stay current with evolving best practices in animal emergency response, CPR guidelines, and first aid protocols.
Continuing Education and Professional Recognition
Are your courses approved for continuing education units (CEUs)?
Yes. Pet Emergency Academy courses are approved for CEU credit through several professional organizations, including:
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)
- Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC)
- Pet Sitters International (PSI)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Select courses are also RACE-approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards to award continuing education credits to veterinary technicians. At this time, RACE credits are not available for licensed veterinarians except the VetUp Professionalism Master course which is approved for 9 CEU for vet techs and veterinarians.
Are your certifications recognized by employers?
Yes. Our certifications are widely recognized across animal hospitals, grooming facilities, boarding facilities, rescue organizations, and educational institutions. They may be used for employment requirements, resume enhancement, volunteer programs, hospital accreditation documentation, and continuing education portfolios. Recognition however is not guaranteed.
About Pet Emergency Academy and Animal Care and Wellness Institute
What is the difference between Pet Emergency Academy and Animal Care and Wellness Institute?
Pet Emergency Academy LLC is a Nevada-based limited liability company and is the legal entity responsible for all business operations, financial transactions, course registrations, certifications, and contractual relationships. All payments, enrollments, and certifications are issued by and through Pet Emergency Academy LLC.
Animal Care and Wellness Institute operates as an educational brand and online learning management platform used to host and deliver virtual training programs and educational content. The Institute provides access to broader animal care education, wellness instruction, prevention awareness, behavior fundamentals, and enrichment-based learning materials. It does not function as a separate legal entity and does not independently issue certifications, enter into contracts, or process payments.
All emergency care, animal CPR, first aid certification, and continuing education programs are developed, administered, and credentialed exclusively by Pet Emergency Academy LLC. The Animal Care and Wellness Institute website serves solely as the digital platform for course access and educational delivery.
Together, these operations provide structured animal safety and educational programs for pet owners, animal professionals, educators, rescues, and veterinary teams, while maintaining clear legal, financial, and administrative responsibility under Pet Emergency Academy LLC.
Are your courses appropriate for children or students?
We offer educational programs designed for high school students, college students, and youth participants under appropriate supervision. Parents and guardians are encouraged to supervise minors during participation. All courses are educational in nature and do not confer professional licensure.
Do your courses qualify someone as a veterinary professional?
No. Completion of any course does not grant licensure or authorize individuals to diagnose, treat, or practice veterinary medicine. Our courses provide emergency preparedness knowledge and educational awareness only.
What is the benefit of becoming certified in pet CPR and first aid?
Certification demonstrates preparedness to respond to common animal emergencies such as choking, bleeding, heatstroke, seizures, trauma, and cardiopulmonary arrest. It increases confidence, enhances professional credibility, supports workplace safety compliance, and strengthens resumes and college applications.
Equine and Livestock Emergency Training
Do you offer equine first aid certification?
Yes. We offer Equine Emergency First Aid certification as well as Livestock Emergency First Aid and Wellness Care training. These programs are designed for horse owners, barn managers, equine professionals, agricultural students, and livestock handlers.
Are equine and livestock courses different from canine and feline courses?
Yes. Large animal emergency response requires species-specific techniques and considerations. Our equine and livestock courses are tailored to those unique anatomical and handling differences.
Technical and Policy Questions
Is my personal information secure?
Yes. Pet Emergency Academy LLC and Animal Care and Wellness Institute follow strict data protection standards. We comply with applicable privacy laws, including COPPA requirements for children under 13, and use secure payment processing systems.
Do you offer refunds?
Please review our official refund and store credit policy on our Policies, Terms, and Conditions page. Due to the digital nature of our courses, refunds are limited once course access has been granted.
Can organizations or schools purchase group registrations?
Yes. We offer group training options for schools, veterinary hospitals, grooming facilities, rescue organizations, and animal care teams. Contact us directly for volume pricing and instructor certification options.
Do you offer instructor certification programs?
Yes but only for faculty at high schools and colleges that teach our programs to their students through our student discount program.