Pet Custody Consultant Training
Expand Your Impact: Specialized Training in Pet Custody Consulting
What if you could help families and their pets during one of life's most difficult transitions?
Every two minutes, a divorce is filed in the USA—and more than half of those couples have pets. When relationships end, the question of "who keeps the dog?" often becomes as emotionally charged as any other aspect of separation. Yet until now, animal professionals have had no formal training to help families navigate these complex decisions.
A New Way to Help
This course offers you the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge in an emerging field where you can make a meaningful difference. As a dog professional, you already understand animal behavior and welfare. This training adds a critical layer: how to support families through the unique challenges of pet custody during divorce.
What You'll Learn:
Through this comprehensive program, you'll develop skills to:
Navigate the emotional complexities families face regarding their pets during separation
Apply behavior management strategies designed specifically for pets experiencing family transitions—including stress reduction, working with children, multi-pet households, and breed-specific considerations
Collaborate effectively with lawyers, mediators, and divorcing families
Use evidence-based frameworks to prioritize animal welfare when guiding custody decisions
Offer a specialized service that few professionals are qualified to provide
Learn from the Pioneer
This live, 10-hour online course is taught by Karis Nafte, CDBC and Accredited Family Mediator, who created the world's first pet custody education program. With over 25 years of experience bridging dog behavior and family mediation, Karis shares the practical knowledge and compassionate approach that has made her a recognized expert in this field.
Gain a Unique Certification
Upon completion, you'll hold a specialized certification that distinguishes you as a trained professional in pet custody consulting—expertise that allows you to serve families and their pets in a completely new way.
CEUs: 10 from the CCPDT and IAABC
Open to: Veterinarians, CDBC, ACDBC, CAAB, ACAAB, DACVP, CPDT-KA, VSA certification holders, or equivalent qualifications.
2026 Course details and dates
Course is taught over 5 online live sessions. Each class is 2 hours.
Next Course:
February - 11th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 20th
9-11am PST
This course covers the following subjects in relation to pets and divorce:
Intake form and assessments for new clients
How to write a Memorandum of Understanding
The process of counseling clients on pet custody from start to finish
Common stress reactions in dogs during divorce
Behavior modification plans for
How age and breed should factor into custody decisions
The impact on dogs of shared custody vs. sole custody
Models for shared custody plans that best suit dogs
Best practice for transitioning to sole/shared custody,
Rescue dogs
Children and pets
Cats, parrots, and other household pets
Emotional support dogs
Humanizing, weaponizing, and bargaining over pets
Houses with multiple pets
Long term finical plans for dogs
Plan for a dog’s end of life
Marketing yourself as a Pet Custody Consultant
This unique 10 hour course was developed and is taught live online by Karis Nafte (CDBC and Family Mediator). Cost for the course is $895.
Participants qualify for 10 CEUs from the CCPDT and IAABC.
Excellent counseling skills and a broad range of experience working with a wide variety of breeds is necessary for anyone interested in doing this unique work.
Applicants with a CDBC, CBCC-KA certification or equivalent qualification may apply for this course.
“Completing the Pet Custody Course with Karis was an excellent experience. I'm thrilled to say that I'm now fully confident to assist couples with pet-related custody issues. Before taking this course, the world of custody issues was entirely foreign to me, but Karis exceptional knowledge and expertise helped me gain much needed confidence in this area.”
Nikki, CDBC, Arizona USA