About The Academy of Pet Careers
The Academy of Pet Careers is a premier trade school in the St. Louis area redefining what it means to be a pet professional. With over 30 years of experience educating pet professionals, APC is proud to teach the most modern, evidence-based methods for success in the pet industry.
APC is one of the only hands-on pet career schools will multiple paths of study. Join graduates from 38 different states across the country by becoming a pet groomer, dog trainer, or veterinary assistant through one of our in-person or online vocational programs.
Our Main Goals & Values
1. To Set Our Students Up For Success
As a vocational trade school, APC's core focus is to teach students the skills needed to excel in their desired career. Students get career-level training with pets in an environment that simulates the real job. We keep our classes small so students can get personalized attention from our expert instructors.
Our instructors are all experienced in the pet care field and have extensive knowledge on what it takes to succeed in these career paths. Many of our graduates go on to start their own business and have the opportunity to learn from the owners of the school who also own multiple pet care facilities. We achieved an 85% graduation rate across all programs in 2025.
2. To Empower Pets
Learning theory, canine communication, and pet empowerment are just a few of the topics that are essential to setting you apart from the competition. No matter the professional certification you choose, every student will go through animal behavior training. This comprehensive education will set you apart from professionals in the field today.
We follow our proprietary Pet Empowerment framework and require all our students to take our pledge. The Pet Empowerment Pledge focuses on developing a healthier human-pet bond and a more cooperative relationship. If you are interested, you can learn more about the pledge here!
Award-Winning Trade School in St. Charles, MO
BusinessRate ranked The Academy of Pet Careers #1 for trade schools in St. Charles, Missouri in 2026. We reached a total score of 267/300 based on the endurance, momentum, and quality of the reviews we received.
The Academy of Pet Careers was awarded a LUXLife Professional Training & Excellence Award in the Pet Products and Services category. We were dubbed the "Best Pet Career Education Provider" in the country for 2026.
APC was awarded "Best Higher Education Business" of 2026 by Global 100. This award is for businesses who demonstrate a high level of reputation, the best service, and responsible business conduct within their industry.
The Academy of Pet Careers has a 5/5 star rating on Facebook. 90% of users who reviewed our school also recommended us. We are proud that those who know us best have given us their highest recommendation.
The Academy of Pet Careers is proud to have 4.9/5 stars on Google. Frequently mentioned categories for our Google reviews are "1 on 1 help", "safe environment", "helpful staff", "job placement", and "class size".
The Academy of Pet Careers is an accredited business under the Better Business Bureau. Our school received an A+ rating based on customer feedback, transparency, and responsiveness.
Memberships and Affiliations
The Academy of Pet Careers has been approved and licensed by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) as a legitimate provider for post-secondary education in the state of Missouri.
APC is an Association Member of the Pet Advocacy Network. The Pet Advocacy Network works with legislators and policymakers to advocate for healthy, sustainable, and responsible pet care practices for both animals and their caregivers across the country.
APC is a proud member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Through our membership, APC supports the improvement of animal welfare through animal behavior education and science-based training.
MOSTRIVE is an organization for the betterment of trade schools and vocational education programs in Missouri. As a member, APC maintains high educational standards, ethical policies, collaboration with other educators, and awareness of educational opportunities.
The Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) is a standardized designation for dog groomers created by the World Pet Association (WPA) and later acquired by the American Kennel Club (AKC). APC met their standards and was deemed a Professional Grooming Credentialing Institution.
Rover is an online platform for independent pet care providers, and many of our graduates have worked with Rover or been hired by them. Rover comes to APC's campus to introduce our students to their services and discuss new developments to their platform.
Our team members are active community members in their respective industries. APC staff are part of the Association for Professional Dog Training (APDT), which is an organization for supporting, advising, and connecting dog trainers internationally.
Our Different Career Paths
Dog Grooming School
Learn about our dog grooming courses and how you can become a certified dog groomer in as little as four weeks. Teachings include everything from bathing and brushing to breed trims.
Dog Training School
Our dog training certifications teach everything from basic obedience to scent detection and service dog training, so find out how you can become a dog trainer today...
Vet Assisting School
Our newest program, veterinary assisting, will prepare students for the exciting world of veterinary medicine. Learn how you can become a veterinary assistant today.
Why Students Choose APC for Pet Career Education
Hands on learning
Each program we teach is hands-on and simulates a real working environment. This experience will better prepare you for a job in the pet care industry. This is critical when learning a trade skills such as dog grooming or dog training.
Personalized instruction
Our class sizes are small, allowing for more one-on-one attention from our expert instructors. We understand that each student learns at their own pace, so we will follow your lead.
Short Programs
Unlike most schools that can take 2-4 years to graduate, all our programs can be completed in 5 months or less. Don't wait years to start your dream career. Join us now and you could be in your new job in no time.
Job placement assistance
We understand the importance of finding a job right out of school. We have developed a network of pet businesses and alumni to help you find your dream job when you graduate. In 2025, we achieved an 85% job placement rate across all programs.
Housing
If you have to travel for school, we can help. We provide off-campus housing to students from out of town. We do what we can to make you feel right at home when you are in school.
Financial Aid
We are approved by many funding organizations to help with school expenses. Check out our list of Financial Aid Options to see if you are eligible, or you can contact our admissions team to help with the process.
3D Virtual Tour of Our Facility
The Academy of Pet Careers is partnered with many local and national pet care facilities, including names such as Petropolis: Empowered Pet Care and Silver Maple Pet Center. Learn more about our Preferred Hiring Partners.