By Leslie Golden | lgolden@alextimes.com 

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria was recognized as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards making it the first animal welfare organization to receive the distinction. The IBCCES is a global leader in cognitive disorder training and provides evidence-based training and certification to provide professionals with a better understanding of autism and other neurodivergencies. In a release, AWLA Executive Director Stella Hanly said, “As a Certified Autism Center, we continue to show our community that everyone is welcome at our facility.”