Why APC Was Awarded Best Higher Education Business of 2026
There is no shortage of schools promising to launch your career in the pet industry. But for pet care professionals in St. Louis, one trade school has built a reputation on outstanding service. The Academy of Pet Careers was recently named the Best Higher Education Business of 2026 by Global100, an international organization that recognizes excellence across industries worldwide. This distinction reflects years of hands-on instruction, industry-relevant curriculum, and commitment to student outcomes.
What is a Global100 Award?
Global100 is an independent awards organization that evaluates and recognizes businesses globally across hundreds of categories each year. Global100 identifies recipients through their own independent research. Their process looks for specific criteria, including service quality, student satisfaction, innovation, and real-world outcomes.
Being recognized by Global100 is not a pay-to-win honor, making the award a meaningful benchmark of real-world performance and reputation. That makes this award feel like a genuine reflection of the work our team and students put in every single day.
What Award APC Won
Global100 awarded us the Best Higher Education Business of 2026 in the United States. This award was given in recognition of our standards in vocational training, student experience, and career-focused education within the pet care industry. This specific award places APC among the top educational institutions worldwide that have demonstrated measurable excellence. We have always believed that what we do here matters, and it is affirming to have that belief reflected back.
Why This Award Matters
The Academy of Pet Careers has a lot to offer, but having those offerings recognized is truly special. Here is what this recognition signals:
- It is third-party validation. We did not self-report this. An independent organization looked at what we do and determined we are doing it well.
- It reflects our student outcomes. Awards like this are built on real results. For APC, that means students who graduate ready to work, not just ready to apply for jobs.
- It adds value to your credential. When you graduate from APC, you graduate from a school that has been recognized as among the best in higher education.
- It gives you confidence. We know that education is an investment. This recognition is one more reason to feel good about making it with us.
Why APC Won This Award
We are proud of this award, but we are not surprised by it, because we know what happens inside our building every day. Here are just a few of the things that make APC so special:
Hands-On Learning
Students work with real animals from the start. There is no substitute for hands-on experience, so we do not make you wait for it. Our students are working with dogs from day one in a supervised, professional setting. Even our online dog training school places a huge emphasis on practical experience, even as a flexible learning option.
Career-Ready Curriculum
Programs are built around careers, not coursework. We offer focused tracks in in-person dog grooming, dog training, and veterinary assisting. Every part of our curriculum was designed with one question in mind: what can we do to ensure this students succeeds in their new career?
Optimal Learning Environment
Instructors live and breathe the pet industry. The people teaching at APC are not just educators, they are industry professionals who bring real, current knowledge into every class. Class sizes are kept small, so our instructors know your name, your goals, and where you need the most support.
Pet Industry Connections
APC is part of the St. Louis community, as well as the broader pet community. We have amazing relationships with local veterinary clinics, shelters, and pet businesses throughout the St. Louis area and across the country (and those connections directly benefit our graduates!).
Final Thoughts
The Global100 Best Higher Education Business award is more than a plaque on a wall. For the Academy of Pet Careers, it is a reflection of what happens when a school puts students and animals first, every single day. If you are a St. Louis-area resident considering a career in pet care, APC offers something rare: award-winning education. Come visit us in St. Charles, explore our programs, and see for yourself what a Global100-recognized education looks like!
Frequently Asked Questions
Hope Allen
Hope Allen combines her lifelong passion for animals with her digital marketing expertise. Growing up in a veterinary family, she gained hands-on experience working as an office assistant and sterilization tech at their mobile practice. This foundation, coupled with her degree in design and digital content strategy from Lindenwood University, allows her to bring unique insight to pet-focused content.