Kansas Animal Health Department

Kansas Excellence through Education Program (K.E.E.P.)

"Getting Credit where Credit is Due"

A simple way to earn recognition for your continuing education hours.

Becky Blaes
Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board
Chairman and Animal Breeder Representative

“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists" - Eric Hoffer

One Saturday afternoon, I was watching NCBA's "Cattlemen to Cattlemen" program on the RFD TV Channel and the guest speaker, who was promoting continuing education for cattlemen, began with the above quote by Eric Hoffer. This caught my attention; as the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board had just completed developing a program to promote continuing education for those licensed with the Kansas Pet Animal Act, and this quote fit the purpose of our program perfectly. Technology has placed us in a very different world from twenty years ago, making education more important than ever to stay current and remain successful in an ever-changing world.

Knowledgeable people seek the services of a veterinarian, teacher, medical doctor, nurse, or attorney who possesses the most current information in their profession. Our customers, the public, and our legislators view us in much the same way. As a former teacher, I was required to complete continuing education hours to retain my license. The real benefit was that my mind was refreshed by new ideas, techniques, and information that I received from those seminars, which in turn greatly benefitted my students. Likewise, the benefactors in our profession are our animals, our customers, our state, and we benefit ourselves.

The Kansas Excellence through Education Program (KEEP) was developed with intense scrutiny over a three-year period by the Governor appointed Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board to best recognize those licensees who continue to seek education.

KEEP is strictly voluntary and does not reflect on a licensee’s facility, licensing, or inspections. The program encourages education and simply rewards the volunteer with earned recognition for what he or she is already doing – attending seminars, meetings, and conventions for educational purposes.

Our Goal: To educate all entities of the Kansas Pet Animal Act, resulting in quality care of Kansas pet animals through knowledge and a dedication to excellence.

Our Motto: KEEP Kansas Pets Shining!

KEEP Power Point presentation (PPT 2.57MB)

Three Simple Steps to Participate in KEEP

COMPLETE a brief, "open book" questionnaire, based on information from the Kansas Pet Animal Act, with an 80% or greater proficiency. For each form click here:
- Kansas Pet Animal Act (pdf 249kb)
- “Open book” Questionnaire form (pdf 46kb)
ATTEND continuing education programs. Although many valuable programs may be presented at a seminar or meeting, ONLY THOSE PRESENTED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN OR THE KANSAS ANIMAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR “KEEP” AT THIS TIME.
SEND a program or flier from qualifying educational programs that you attend and a Points Form, signed by the program speaker or program coordinator, to Becky Blaes, 522 North Maple St., Cherryvale, KS 67335. fax: 620-336-3700. e-mail: bblaes2000@yahoo.com . Click here for Points Form (pdf 102kb).

*All Kansas pet organization leaders are encouraged to advertise their programs and seminars on the Kansas Pet Professionals website at www.sunflowerstatepets.com , on the KAHD website by calling (785) 296-2326, and through mailings to licensed facilities.

KEEP Educational Seminars:

FREE 2011 South East Chapter of KPP Educational Seminar
May 7, 2011
Tony's Function Junction
10300 Hwy 59
Erie, Ks 67733

Seminar Agenda (9KB pdf)

How does KEEP work?

Educational credits may only be earned by the licensee of a facility. Exception: A designated facility manager or director may attend and earn educational credits if their name is indicated in writing to Becky Blaes before beginning KEEP. No other manager/director may be substituted without prior written approval. Click here for the Manager or Director form (pdf. 16kb).
Participants may earn “Star” levels based on credits earned by attending qualifying continuing education programs. A volunteer may earn 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 “Stars” (KEEP Kansas Pets Shining).
One hour of instruction time is equivalent to one hour of earned educational credit.
Three actual contact hours in a seminar setting, presented by a licensed veterinarian or the Kansas Animal Health Department, equals one "Star".
The volunteer may accumulate enough credits to earn a "Five Star" rating the first year or may take up to 3 years to accumulate enough credits for five stars.
After 3 years, the first year’s credits will "drop off". The volunteer may earn more credits and retain or increase their previous number of stars.
The volunteer may stay at any star level they choose. The "Stars" simply reflect continuing education hours, with 5 stars being the highest level a volunteer may achieve.
A Certificate of Continuing Education will be awarded annually to participants. (Points accumulate from January 1st to December 31st). These certificates are evidence of your commitment to providing the most current, quality care for your animals through continuing education.

It is important to remember that KEEP only reflects educational contact hours under the instruction of a licensed veterinarian or the Kansas Animal Health Department. It does not reflect on a licensee’s facility, licensing, or inspection process.

There are many things in this world we cannot control, but we can make thoughtful decisions and changes that have the potential to impact our lives and businesses in a positive manner. Continuing education improves our skills and elevates our profession. KEEP truly gives those who seek education “Credit where Credit is Due”.

Should you have any questions, please contact me, Becky Blaes, at 620.252.5738 or bblaes2000@yahoo.com.

updated 4/11/2011

Kansas Animal Health Department