Today we’d like to introduce you to Arden Moore.
Arden, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As America’s Pet Health and Safety Coach, I happily wears many “collars” in the pet world, including being an in-demand professional speaker, master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor, cat and dog behavior/safety adviser for pet professionals, media and pet product consultant, radio show host, and best-selling author of 24 (yep, 24!) dog and cat books. I began my career as a reporter for a major newspaper — The Sun-Sentinel — based in Fort Lauderdale, FL where I covered everything from Super Bowls, space shuttles, state politics to health care and education.
I then headed to Rodale Press where I wrote health and DIY books and write for Prevention Magazine. In 1999, I left the W-2 world to pursue a career in freelance writing and editing and becoming an expert in the pet industry. It is a decision I have never regretted. Today, I have written, contributed or ghost-written more than 35 books on pets, human health, gardening and DIY. I also host the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio each week. My guests include “top dogs’ in the pet world as well as celebrity pet advocates, including Betty White, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Wozniak and Tim Conway. Recently, Oprah Winfrey named my Oh Behave Show as one of her top 3 favorite pet podcasts!
And, in 2011, I saw the value of teaching hands-on, veterinarian-approved pet first aid and founded Pet First Aid 4U. With the help of Pet Safety Cat Casey (yes, a teaching feline!) and Pet Safety Dog Kona, we travel all over the country to teach our customized pet first aid/CPR classes as well as conduct cat-dog behavior workshops. As much as I enjoyed being a newspaper reporter, I am so happy to be a teacher, speaker, writer and radio show host in the pet world. My motto is: “Bringing out the best in pets… and their people.”
Has it been a smooth road?
It takes a bit of gut, confidence and luck to leave the safety net of being an employee for companies that offer paid vacations and 401-Ks. I’ve had years where I earned a lot of money and years where I was “poor but famous.” Being your own boss was a major decision for me. I have learned to survive and even thrive by knowing when to re-invent myself and when to shift from one focus to another.
For example, I used to conduct dog parties and even created some fun “paw-ty” games designed to bolster the bond between people and their pets but realized I needed to do more so I focus now on pet health and safety. I have had the good fortune of savvy mentors who have given me candid, sound advice along the way. I’ve owned homes and I have rented homes. But I never regret a single day of deciding to be my own boss.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pet First Aid 4U story. Tell us more about the business.
As mentioned, I am known as America’s Pet Health and Safety Coach. My mission is to help pets and their people in many ways. I accomplish this by teaching pet first aid/CPR the way it should be: hands-on with a real dog and cat and protocols approved by leading veterinarians. I also am a pet behavior consultant and have had the fortune to be a keynote speaker for major pet conferences that draw professional pet sitters, boarding staff, veterinarians and pet behaviorists.
My journalistic background has given me the opportunity to interview the best in the pet industry and publish articles for leading veterinarian and pet publications, including Dogster, Catster and Fido Friendly magazine. I am also the editor for the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Magazine and host the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio, an award-winning podcast that draws more than 750,000 listeners. People know me for my animated presentations that include puns but are always packed with practical information that can help them care for pets.
Founding Pet First Aid 4U, winning the prestigious Michael Brim Lifetime Achievement Award by Cat Writers Association and being named for two years in a row one of the top 3 pet podcasts by Oprah Winfrey are among my most cherished accomplishments. But what I really enjoy most is teaching kids as I do for the SPCA of Texas’ critter camps and having my now certified therapy cat Casey and certified therapy dog Kona visit area nursing homes to bring cheer to the residents and staff.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The pet industry continues to be Teflon in the fact that no matter the current economic situation, the pet industry continues to grow. People spend more money on pets than candy and alcohol combined. People are recognizing that pets provide us with so many mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits.
Never underestimate the power of the paw! I write the nutrition column for Catster, the leading cat publication and have noticed that more people are paying attention to the ingredients on the commercial pet food they buy. People are seeing the importance of feeding quality food for their pets in keeping their pets healthy and living longer.
The pet world has also embraced technology with more apps and high-tech toys for dogs and cats. And finally, I see more people recognizing the need to learn pet first aid for their pets as well as pets under their care. Knowing what to do — and what NOT to do — in a pet emergency when minutes count is one of the best ways to truly be a health ally for your pets.
Pricing:
- Pet First Aid4U classes are $99. The 4 1/2-hour course includes a detailed coursebook and two-year certificate for students.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ardenmoore.com
- Phone: 760 433-3480
- Email: arden@ardenmoore.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ArdenKnowsPets
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArdenMoore
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ArdenKnowsPets
- Yelp: LinkedIn: www.linkedin/in/ardenmoore
- Other: YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ArdenMooreKnowsPets
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
