The first course on offer is a Level 3 Certificate in Companion Animal Nutrition tutored by OSCAR’S in-house veterinary, nutritional and behaviour experts
OSCAR Pet Foods is launching the pet industry’s first-ever Academy of Pet Welfare. In a largely unregulated sector, highly skilled professionals hold the key to OSCAR’s successful franchise business model and this new venture is an obvious move to secure, if not boost, that success.
Simon Bartholomew, franchise director at OSCAR Pet Foods, explains: “Following the positive impact on sales of many of our franchisees taking the Level 3 Companion Animal Nutrition qualification, and the many great comments from our customers who value the expert advice they now receive, it seemed logical to become a registered training centre in our own right.”
Discerning pet owners want the best for their pets, and, with its nationwide network of local nutritional advisors, OSCAR Pet Foods is perfectly placed to deliver the nutritional evidence that is essential for a confident sale.
According to Michael Bellingham, chief executive of the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association: “Health and nutrition is a key trend. Consumers are increasingly focusing on high quality, premium pet foods for their dogs, cats and other small pets.”
To award specific qualifications in pet nutrition, OSCAR has partnered with ABC Awards because they unite educational and skill-orientated organisations that share similar values and objectives. OSCAR Pet Foods knows that the circle of success begins and ends with detailed knowledge and education and this new academy demonstrates a clear desire to help hard-working franchisees grow their businesses with credibility and confidence. It’s all about support.
The first course on offer is a Level 3 Certificate in Companion Animal Nutrition tutored by OSCAR’S in-house veterinary, nutritional and behaviour experts Shelley Holden RVN CertSAN CertCFVHNut and Shelley Audis-Riddell CertNut (QCF L3) BSc (Hons) MSc. The qualification explores the vital effects of nutrition on dogs and cats and covers individual diets and feeding regimes, enabling franchisees to offer the best individual advice for pets. It also studies the anatomy and physiology of pet digestion and UK pet food legislation.
Nic Kinch from OSCAR Pet Foods Herefordshire says: “Studying for my Companion Animal Nutritional Qualification with OSCAR Pet Foods has certainly provided me with a greater insight into the role of nutrition and the effects it has on the health and welfare of pets, specifically cats and dogs. It will provide me with greater credibility with existing and potential customers and has provided me with more confidence in providing advice to pet owners when recommending appropriate food.”
In time, the Pet Academy of Welfare will be able to offer other modules and other qualifications in many areas of pet care, helping franchisees to build confidence and expert knowledge so they can continue to help customers care for their pets with leading industry standards.
Richard Hebden, franchise owner of OSCAR Pet Foods Flintshire, also explains: “Knowledge is one of the things you need to take into a conversation with a customer. Being able to offer good advice to customers is a great comfort to them and is a valuable way to establish trust and enable the relationship to continue. We can save customers time and help them make the right decisions, thereby keeping their pets safe and healthy for longer.”