Steve, I am wondering how many profesionals participate in the KHA program? I know it was opened up to dealers, about 3 years ago for a minimal fee of $100. How many high end dealers don't already have vast knowledge on QT, water quality, KHV testing, scraping and scooping fish? Of all the high end dealers that I know here in California, I can't think of one, who does not constantly teach, koi husbandry to there customers. I can't imagine that the KHA course could teach most of them anything, on the other hand I think the dealers could teach the KHA's a thing or two. What hobbiest deals with as many parasite problems, fish deaths, bacterial infections as any one dealer?
Just a thought but, if said dealer declines to join and follow this new program, do you think this will harm his bussines? I think to a certain point the dealers are being forced to participate. If they don't play then everyone will know. Would you still buy from your favorite dealer, if he does not have a certificate from AKCA proudly displayed in his shop?
Another thought is we will have new dog & cat vets coming out of the woodwork, to join this new venture for the honest Vets this will be a good thing for the hobby, for the ones that just want to make a quick buck, this could knock us back a few steps.