Welcome to the World of Animal Acting!

With over 600,000 animals employed each year, there is a constant demand for fresh faces. Every animal that has a scripted role on a TV or movie production is an animal actor, even if they appear to be doing natural animal behaviors.

What is an Animal Actor?  An animal actor can be a model in a print shoot, an actor in a movie or commercial, or a performer in a live show. 

Animal Actors become certified by Animal Actor Certified Evaluators (AACE).


Take this Course to Become an Animal Actor Certified Evaluator (AACE)

What is an AACE?  Animal Actors become certified by Animal Actor Certified Evaluators (AACE). An AACE evaluates an animal for specific skills and can award them their "set trained" credentials.

Why does an Animal Actor need certification?  Movie, film, and photography shoots are expensive endeavors. Time is money on these sets and a production company can't risk wasting time by hiring an animal that is ill-prepared for the job. Hiring an animal that has been vetted by an AACE certified evaluator increases the likelihood of a quality performance. Regulatory agencies (such as American Humane, USDA, Movie Animals Protected, and The Animal Protection Agency) require that animals on set be socialized and “trained and prepared in advance to perform the required action.” Union sets, such as SAG-AFTRA, are heavily regulated and have even more restrictions related people and animals allowed to work on set. 

 

Choose an option to start your new career

This course will train you to work with Animal Actors

  • CTDI / AACE Bundle

    Anybody may take this course, however to become certified as an AACE you must also finish the Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) course. Enroll in both courses with this discounted bundle.

    $785.00

    Enroll in the discounted CTDI/AACE bundle

“Someone asked me, 'what would you go after if you knew you would succeed?' Making the decision to go after my dream job of being an animal actor set trainer has been the best decision of my life! I highly, highly recommend this course to start YOUR dream job! ”

Carole Conner

Instructor

Kyra Sundance is an award-winning and internationally best-selling author. As CEO of “Do More With Your Dog!”, the certifying body for Canine Conditioning Coaches, Kyra leads widely popular fitness workshops which train students to develop their dog’s physical abilities. Kyra is nationally ranked in competitive dog sports and an ultramarathoner.

Kyra Sundance

Instructor

It pays to be a Dog Trainer


.5 CCPDT CEUs

This course is approved for .5 Continuing Education credits by CCPDT (Event 21488)

Your Dream Job Awaits... !

Start the Course Today!

You'll get immediate access to the course. Your gift pack will be mailed to you.

Train for a new Career

AACE evaluator Daniele Pichette is a professional set trainer for movies. She trains animals to perform behaviors such as "watch the look stick", "go to a mark", "go with an actor", and "stay". She reads storyboards, transports animals, ensures their safety and well-being, and works the animals on set.