Strengthening the Bond: Certify Canine's Mission

At Certify Canine, we believe in the extraordinary human animal bond. These incredible canine companions aren't just pets; they're partners in freedom, offering crucial support through animal assisted therapy and independence to individuals with disabilities. In the intricate world of service and facility dogs, finding your path can be challenging. We're here to light the way.

Addressing the Growing Demand

With the increasing need for service and facility dogs, the landscape is rapidly expanding. Yet, the lack of a standardized regulatory body overseeing training, certification, and travel intricacies often leaves individuals and organizations navigating a maze of confusion. Certify Canine emerges as a beacon of guidance in this space. Our dedicated team of experts is passionately committed to assisting service dog owners, facility dog handlers, and the public in understanding the nuances of certification and rights.

Our Approach to Empowering Partnerships

Impact Strategy:
  • Standardized Certification Process: Our certification framework, crafted in collaboration with experienced dog trainers, working dog providers, and ADA law experts, establishes a clear, rigorous pathway for a dog's progression into a working dog role. This structured approach ensures that each dog meets high standards in behavior, obedience, and specialized task performance, creating consistency across various types of working dogs—whether they are service, facility, or therapy animals. By setting a comprehensive benchmark, our certification process elevates the quality and reliability of working dogs industry-wide, providing handlers, organizations, and communities with greater confidence in the abilities and professionalism of each certified working dog. This standardized approach also paves the way for stronger partnerships, fostering an industry-wide commitment to excellence and shared responsibility in supporting and recognizing the critical role of working dogs.
  • Innovative Insurance Solutions: For the first time in the working dog sector, animals certified through our process gain access to Animal Liability Coverage, with the Handler designated as the primary policyholder. This unique coverage ensures that certified working dogs and their handlers meet essential baseline policy standards, creating an extra layer of security for all involved. Clients are assured that their working dogs are covered for potential liabilities, supporting them in a range of environments—whether in public settings, workplaces, or facilities. This comprehensive approach not only protects handlers and their working dogs but also instills confidence in businesses and communities interacting with them, setting a new benchmark for responsible working dog management. with the option to upgrade for their policy limits if they so chose. .
Guiding Principles for Success:
  • Empowering through Education: We believe that informed handlers make for empowered handlers. Our educational initiatives provide essential knowledge about working dog rights, diverse training methodologies, and relevant legal regulations. Through comprehensive workshops, guides, and real-world scenarios, we help handlers understand their rights and responsibilities in both public and private spaces. This education builds confidence, equipping individuals with the tools to advocate effectively for their working dogs and navigate complex situations, from access issues to legal protections. By fostering a knowledgeable community, we ensure handlers are well-prepared to manage and defend their working dog’s role and contributions.
  • Demystifying the Working Dog Experience: A key part of our mission is bridging the understanding gap between working dogs and the general public. Our engaging workshops, well-researched articles, and accessible resources are designed to shed light on the unique experiences of working dogs and their handlers. By addressing common misconceptions, educating on the importance of working dog roles, and highlighting the positive impacts they make, we encourage a more inclusive, informed society. This outreach fosters an environment of acceptance and support, where working dogs and handlers are welcomed as integral parts of diverse communities. .
  • Advocating for Clear Regulations: We are committed to establishing clear and consistent standards in the working dog industry. As a leading voice, we advocate for transparent, accessible, and equitable regulations that protect handlers and ensure quality in working dog certification and performance. By actively engaging with lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and advocacy groups, we push for policies that are fair, uphold the rights of working dog teams, and promote uniform standards. Our commitment to advocacy aims to create a supportive regulatory environment that strengthens the recognition and accessibility of working dogs across all sectors.

Whether your companion was trained by a professional organization or through your own efforts, we believe in fostering a collaborative, educated, and supportive environment. By uniting our efforts, we envision a society where service and facility dogs are universally recognized, esteemed, and empowered to accomplish their vital roles.

At Certify Canine, we're not just facilitating certifications; we're building a community where every service and facility dog team thrives. Join us in creating a future where the remarkable potential of every human-animal partnership is fully realized.

About Our Founder

Blake Woody

Blake Woody

Blake Woody, a dedicated dog trainer and passionate advocate for the human-animal bond, leads Certify Canine with over 14 years of diverse experience in animal training and non-profit work. Her journey in the animal field began with a focus on domestic and exotic animals, but took on a new dimension in 2010 following a life-changing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). During her recovery, Blake experienced firsthand the profound impact that dogs can have on mental health, sparking a commitment to help others experience similar benefits through well-trained working dogs.

Her career spans a broad spectrum, from training service and therapy dogs to guiding clients in obedience, agility, scent detection, and behavior modification. Blake has also held significant leadership roles in the pet industry, driving growth and expanding training services at a multi-state pet resort business. Her background in the non-profit sector further enriched her skills in fund development, community education, and advocacy, making her a well-rounded leader who brings both business insight and compassion to Certify Canine.

With her comprehensive knowledge and strategic vision, Blake is committed to setting new standards in the working dog field, empowering individuals, and fostering a more inclusive and supportive society.

Meet our Advisors

Tamika Hardin

Tamika Hardin

Tamika Witter-Hardin resides in Queen Creek, AZ, originally hailing from Brooklyn, New York. With 25 years of experience in marketing, she currently serves as a marketing professional for a Medical Device Company based in Phoenix, AZ. Tamika's diverse marketing background spans pharmaceuticals, retail (both human and pet sectors), and now focuses on medical product devices. She holds a BS in Sociology from Towson State University.

Married to Eugene Hardin II for 15 years, they share their home with their two beloved dogs, Sake and DJ. Tamika is passionate about animals and maintains a strong work ethic, excelling in attention to detail and maintaining a positive attitude. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking for both humans and her furry companions alike.

Eugene Hardin

Eugene Hardin

With over two decades of experience in Product Management and National Account Leadership, Eugene brings a wealth of expertise in driving strategic growth and maximizing profitability across diverse consumer goods industries.

Born and raised in Ohio, Eugene is a proud graduate of Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH), where he honed his skills in business management.

In his free time, Eugene enjoys exploring the great outdoors, riding motorcycles across the mountainous desert landscapes of Arizona and spending quality time with loved ones, Mother Carol, wife Tamika and two (2) dogs, Sake & DJ.

Bobbi Volesgang

Dr. Bobbi Volesgang

Dr. Bobbi Vogelsang, DBH, LCSW, has been a practicing therapist since 1985, and has held leadership positions within private and public treatment organizations over half of that time. Currently in a solo private practice, “Dr. Bobbi” (as her clients like to call her) and her therapy dog Kali enjoy the impact of watching people respond to Kali’s sweetness and emotional intelligence, and open up to her soulful eyes and wagging tail. While life is certainly better with a dog, Dr. Bobbi, Kali, and her clients would agree that the workplace is better with a dog as well!

Meet our Certifiers

Our Certifiers are experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge and firsthand experience with Working Dogs. They maintain the accessibility and reliability of our certification program while providing community support and advocacy. If there isn’t a Certifier in your area, you can still apply online through our Application Portal. If you're interested in becoming a Certifier, or if you have any questions, please email us at info@certifycanine.com.

Whit Buchman

Whit Buchman

Blake Woody

Blake Woody

Heather Simpson

Heather Simpson

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