SUU, Best Friends mark milestone in animal services education partnership

Southern Utah Uni­versity (SUU) and Best Friends Animal Society (Best Friends) are marking a major milestone in their long-running partnership to expand access to profes­sional education in animal services, with more than 1,500 learners now par­ticipating nationwide and more than 770 professional certificates awarded.

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society.

The collaboration blends SUU’s flexible higher-edu­cation framework with Best Friends’ on-the-ground ex­perience in animal welfare, creating training pathways for shelter staff, volunteers and aspiring professionals across the country. Courses are designed to be practical, accessible and immediately applicable in real-world animal care and lifesaving work.

Since the program launched, participants have completed course­work ranging from intro­ductory fundamentals to specialized training fo­cused on shelter operations, leadership and lifesaving strategies. Many of the credentials are offered as stackable microcredentials, allowing learners to convert short form training into academic credit.

Those credits can be ap­plied toward SUU degree programs, including bach­elor’s degrees and graduate options such as the Master of Interdisciplinary Stud­ies with an emphasis in Contemporary Animal Ser­vices Leadership. Program leaders say that structure allows students to build education at their own pace while maintaining a clear path toward long-term professional advancement.

SUU officials say the milestone reflects strong demand for education that meets learners where they are, particularly in fields where hands-on experience and flexible scheduling are essential. Best Friends leaders point to the grow­ing number of certificates as evidence that accessible training can strengthen organizations and improve outcomes for animals.

Learners report that the coursework has helped them develop confidence, leadership skills and prac­tical tools they can imme­diately apply within their organizations. Several par­ticipants noted that the training empowered them to advocate for operational changes and to take on ex­panded responsibilities in shelter and rescue settings.

Both organizations say the partnership’s broader goal is to professional­ize animal services while lowering barriers to edu­cation, especially for rural communities and nonprofit organizations with limited resources.

Program leaders expect enrollment to continue growing as additional cours­es and credential pathways are introduced, expanding the reach of animal services education and supporting efforts to save more pet lives nationwide.