Certifications & Credentials
Professional Pet Care Rooted in Training, Experience & Compassion
Serving Ballston, Clarendon & Rosslyn | Family-Owned Since 2016
At Pet Sitting 4 Comfort® (PS4C), we believe your pets deserve more than just basic care—they deserve thoughtful, professionally trained support from certified experts who understand their needs.
Since 2016, we’ve delivered Fear Free®, medically informed, and relationship-based pet care to hundreds of Arlington families.
What Sets Our Credentials Apart
✔ Fear Free Certified®
✔ Pet First Aid & CPR (PetTech®)
✔ Certified Professional Pet Sitters (CPPS – PSI)
✔ Dog & Cat Trainers – Animal Behavior College
✔ Ongoing CEUs – Karen Pryor Academy, IAABC, APDT
✔ Members of NAPPS & PSI
We don’t just have experience—we back it with formal education, medical training, and behavioral science.
Fear Free Certified® Pet Sitting
We’re officially certified by Fear Free Pets®, a globally recognized program that teaches professionals how to minimize fear, anxiety, and stress in pets during visits.
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Respect for body language and personal space
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Gentle handling based on positive reinforcement
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Enrichment-based pacing—we never force interactions
Dog & Cat Training + Behavior Support
Steve and Hong are Animal Behavior College–certified trainers with hands-on training in:
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Low-stress handling
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Reactivity and fear-based behavior
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Enrichment planning and custom routines
They’ve also completed the Karen Pryor Academy Train Your Cat course, further enhancing their ability to engage shy or anxious felines.
Pet First Aid & CPR – PetTech® Certified
All PS4C team members are trained in emergency preparedness protocols, including:
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CPR and airway clearing
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Heatstroke, bloat, and allergic reaction response
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Wound cleaning and bandaging
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AVMA- and Red Cross–aligned standards
CPPS Certified by Pet Sitters International
We’ve passed the Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS) exam through Pet Sitters International (PSI)—a nationally recognized benchmark in ethical, responsible pet care.
We also maintain active membership with:
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NAPPS – National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
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PSI – Pet Sitters International
These organizations support:
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Continued education
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Emergency response planning
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Legal and ethical service standards
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Community-based networking and care improvement
Ongoing Education & Industry Alignment
We continue learning through:
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Karen Pryor Academy – Positive training & enrichment
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IAABC & APDT – Animal behavior & dog training networks
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VOHC & AAFCO – Pet nutrition and product labeling education
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Fear Free Happy Homes & VeterinaryPartner® – Vet-reviewed care guidance
PS4C Staff Training Protocol
Every team member completes a structured onboarding program including:
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Shadowing & performance evaluations
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Medication handling (oral, injectable, topical)
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Emergency drills & incident response
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Fear Free® behavior techniques
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CPPS certification within 90 days of onboarding
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Ongoing mentorship from Steve and Hong
We never send untrained or inexperienced sitters to your home.
Trusted by Vets, Trainers & Families Since 2016
We regularly care for:
✔ Pets on insulin, fluids, or daily medication
✔ Seniors with limited mobility or arthritis
✔ Anxious rescues and trauma-surviving animals
✔ Puppies and kittens in critical social development stages
Our certifications ensure that every interaction is rooted in skill, empathy, and proven best practices.
Need Documentation for Your Vet or HOA?
We’re happy to provide digital copies of our credentials upon request for:
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Veterinarians
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Property managers
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Medical boarding clearance
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Pet insurance documentation
Email: stevehongsm@ps4c.net