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Welcome to the Fear Free Veterinary Certification Program!

As veterinary professionals, we understand the emotional demand of the veterinary field, and we know the impact that stress and anxiety can have on our patients, our team, and our practices. Our goal: Provide veterinary professionals with the tools and knowledge to address different levels of fear, anxiety, and stress; improve client communication; and increase workplace safety.

Fear Free veterinary visits reduce fear, anxiety, and stress and create an experience that is more enjoyable and safer for all involved, including your patients, clients, and team. Learning how to implement Fear Free visits means veterinary teams will see their patients more often, and pet owners will seek advice from them as a trusted source.

This program consists of eight modules, which will need to be taken in consecutive order.

Each module will end with an exam which needs to be successfully completed prior to moving on to the next module. Progress on work can be saved at any time, giving participants the flexibility to self-pace throughout the program. When all eight modules have been completed, the participant will be awarded with a Fear Free certificate.

The purchase of the Fear Free Veterinary Certification Program provides you with an annual membership for the program, which requires an annual renewal fee and completion of additional annual CE to maintain your membership. Be sure to familiarize yourself and your team with the full renewal details for the Fear Free Veterinary Certification Program here.

As a Fear Free Certified Professional, you will:

  • Reduce or remove anxiety triggers that can cause pets to become fearful at home, in transport, and at the veterinary hospital
  • Help owners deliver calm pets to your hospital
  • Enhance the quality of medicine in your practice
  • Increase compliance
  • Improve safety for the veterinary team

Course Overview

Additional Benefits

  • Complimentary access to other Veterinary Certification Programs
  • Complimentary additional RACE-approved CE courses
  • Fear Free Directory Listing
  • Private Facebook group
  • Fear Free Educational Library
  • Fear Free Toolbox with downloadable marketing tools, drug charts, and more
  • Exclusive discounts on Fear Free-related products through the Preferred Product Program
  • Online store for marketing, branding, and educational handouts and brochures
  • Fear Free Job Board
  • Certification Gift

Continuing Education

  • Upon completion of the modules, you will receive a total of nine RACE-approved CE hours.
  • The program is also eligible for seven CVPM-qualified CE hours through the VHMA.

Veterinary Certification Requirements

In order to earn Fear Free certification, veterinary professionals must successfully complete the online certification program. To uphold your certification, you must:

1. Earn 4 additional hours of Fear Free-specific CE annually.

2. Maintain an active membership via an annual renewal fee. Your renewal fee is due annually from the date you initially register and pay for the Fear Free Certification Program. Keep an eye out for reminder emails and instructions on how to pay your renewal fee.

Earning the Elite Fear Free Certified Professional Designation

Becoming an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional is for veterinary members who want to go above and beyond in their commitment to Fear Free. Elite Fear Free Certified Professionals are individuals who are continually committed to a higher level of education. In short, it is an opportunity to set yourself apart from the rest.

The requirements to become an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional are…

  • Completion of an individual veterinary certification program
  • Completing 35 hours of Fear Free veterinary CE available through the veterinary membership or at industry events and/or conferences
  • Continuing to earn 4 additional hours of Fear Free CE annually
  • Maintaining an active Fear Free membership via an annual renewal fee

To track your progress toward becoming an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, follow the CE tracker on your Member Homepage. Once you earn the required 35 Fear Free CE hours, you will receive a congratulatory email (where you can claim your free Elite kit) and an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional badge on your Member Homepage.

I have been in practice for 30 years and this is a game-changer. I have been so pleased at how quickly and effectively I have been able to integrate Fear Free practices into my daily work, even in areas outside of primary care. It has had a significant side effect too: happy, less stressed doctors and staff.

Suzanne Cook Olson, DVM, DACVIM


Group Pricing: Fear Free is Better Together! 

 

 

1 MEMBER

$299/person

 

PURCHASE

 

 

2-9 MEMBERS

$279/person

 

PURCHASE

 

 

10-29 MEMBERS

$199/person

 

PURCHASE

 

 

30-99 MEMBERS

$179/person

 

PURCHASE

 

 

100 + MEMBERS

Contact Us

 

certifyme@fearfree.com

Questions? We Have Answers!

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Action Required! Your Membership has expired

Renew yourself by clicking Renew on My Homepage

Team Members, please tell your Team Admin

Students, apply here to renew your membership

Why?
Renewing and keeping an active membership is one of the requirements to maintaining your certification as well as access to member benefits.

Need help? Please contact our Customer Experience team at wags@fearfreepets.com or call us at 303.952.0585 and we will be happy to assist!

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Action Required: You Were Removed from Your Fear Free Team

Update account information by clicking here to go to your account info.

Please note: If you were recently removed from your Fear Free team, your membership will either expire 90 days from the removal date or expire at your current membership renewal date, whichever comes first. Already renewed? Update your account information through the link above. You will continue to receive this notice until your company information has been updated.

Need to join a different Fear Free team or have questions?
Please contact our Customer Experience team at wags@fearfreepets.com or call us at 303.952.0585 and we will be happy to assist!

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Happy Paws Magazine

Spring/Summer 2020 Issue Available Now!

Module 1: Fear Free Behavior Modification Basics

In this module, you will learn about stress response, body language, learning theory, behavior modification, and perception of social and physical environments. These lessons will help you identify the factors that cause patient stress in the veterinary hospital, recognize body language signs, implement positive reinforcement techniques, and understand how patient perception affects behavior.

This module consists of five lessons.

Lesson 1: The Stress Response

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  •  Define stress and the stress response
  •  List the body systems affected by the stress response
  •  Describe the effect of the stress response on learned behaviors
  •  Provide examples of factors that cause patient stress in the veterinary hospital
  •  Describe how patient stress impacts the delivery of quality veterinary care

Lesson 2: Body Language

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  •  Identify five common body language signs that tell you a cat is relaxed
  •  Identify five common body language signs that tell you a cat is stressed
  •  Identify five common body language signs that tell you a dog is relaxed
  •  Identify five common body language signs that tell you a dog is stressed

Lesson 3: Learning Theory

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  •  Explain what positive reinforcement is and how it affects behavior
  •  Explain what positive punishment is and how it affects behavior
  •  Identify at least three reinforcers that can be used in a veterinary setting
  •  Explain why positive punishment should be avoided in the veterinary setting

Lesson 4: Behavior Modification

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  •  Define conditioning
  •  Differentiate between operant and classical conditioning
  •  Explain the goal of classical counter-conditioning
  •  Explain why giving a scared pet food will not reinforce fear or fear-based aggression

Lesson 5: Perception of Social and Physical Environments

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  •  Recognize that behaviors in your patients are connected to their predatory, prey, and social relationships with other animals and people
  •  List important aspects of each sensory system (sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch) for each species
  •  Recognize how a patient’s perception affects its behavior in the veterinary hospital setting
  • List methods for FAS in patients using knowledge about their perception

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Module 2: Fear Free Transport of Cats and Dogs to and from the Veterinary Hospital

In this module, you will learn how to create positive transport experiences that help reduce stress and set the stage for a successful Fear Free visit and return home. You will learn how to work with clients to prepare cats and dogs for the veterinary visit, transport them to and from the veterinary hospital with as little fear, anxiety, and stress as possible, and reintroduce them to the home safely.

This module consists of three lessons.

Lesson 1: General Guidelines for Transport of Cats and Dogs

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Recognize the different roles of veterinary team members in ensuring a positive transport experience for patients
  • Describe to clients how to prepare their cat or dog for transport to the veterinary hospital
  • Describe to clients how to reintroduce their cat or dog to their home environment after the veterinary visit

Lesson 2: Feline-Specific Transport Techniques

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Discuss feline-specific transport needs
  • Advise clients on how to meet these needs
  • Counsel owners through problem scenarios

Lesson 3: Canine-Specific Transport Techniques

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Discuss canine-specific transport needs
  • Advise clients on how to meet these needs
  • Counsel owners through problem scenarios

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Module 3: Fear Free Reception and Waiting Area

In this module, you will learn how to create a safe and relaxed reception area that will help diminish fear, anxiety, and stress for both the patient and the client. These lessons will help you create a plan for delivering calm patients to the hospital, develop efficient and safe check-in and check-out protocols, and use patient history and past experiences to improve the next visit.

This module consists of four lessons.

Lesson 1: Making the Appointment

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Develop a plan for delivering a calm, Fear Free patient to the hospital, starting with booking the appointment
  • Minimize fear and anxiety upon arrival to the hospital by attending to the physical and emotional needs of patients while in the waiting area
  • Share and explain concerns about a particular patient to the rest of the healthcare team

Lesson 2: Reception Area

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify and resolve issues for patients experiencing fear, anxiety and stress
  • Plan ways to separate patients and increase their comfort
  • Develop efficient and safe check-in and check-out protocols
  • Make use of patient history and past experiences to improve the next visit
  • Distinguish between the special species needs of cats and dogs

Lesson 3: The Technician’s Role

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain the technician’s role and duties in assisting the CCR as patients enter the hospital and be ready to help where needed
  • Apply the appropriate low-stress tools available for use with anxious patients in the waiting area and examination room prior to the exam

Lesson 4: The Veterinarian’s Role

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Show clients the importance of creating a Fear Free trip to hospital to keep the client, pet, and staff safe and relaxed
  • Organize the veterinary team to ensure that all pets will be prepared to travel from home to the hospital
  • Identify anxious clients and/or patients and be ready to revamp their visit plan accordingly

Close

Module 4: The Fear Free Exam Room

In this module, you will learn how to create an effective Fear Free visit for all involved by enhancing the exam room experience—from the design of the room itself to the way you move, talk, and touch your patients. You will learn how to create your own Fear Free exam room, record the physical and emotional history of each patient, use considerate approach and gentle control handling techniques, and assess examination needs and wants.

This module consists of five lessons.

Lesson 1: Preparing the Exam Room

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Understand how patients experience the exam room
Create your own Fear Free exam room
Apply the benefits of a Fear Free exam room in your practice

Lesson 2: History Taking for a Fear Free Physical Examination

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Obtain and record the emotional history of the patient
List the reasons recording the patient’s emotional history is important
Describe how to note the emotional history in the medical record

Lesson 3: Client Communication

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Define the key communication responsibilities of each veterinary team member
Establish Fear Free terminology to be used by your team
Explain Fear Free techniques to the client

Lesson 4: Patient Interaction

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain how to use the concept of considerate approach based on history, observation, and understanding of the patient’s behavior
Explain how to adjust your tone of voice and movements based on the patient’s behavior
Learn how to use considerate approach and gentle control handling

Lesson 5: Physical Examination

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Assess needs vs. wants for an examination
Select the best location for the physical examination
Assess which body systems should be examined first for individual patients
Choose basic gentle control handling techniques that minimize stress for your patients

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Module 5: Fear Free In-Hospital Care

In this module, you will learn how to create a safe, comfortable, and Fear Free environment for hospitalized patients. These lessons will help you understand the impact of long-term stress on hospitalized patients, as well as develop and implement appropriate protocols to address these issues.

This module consists of five lessons.

Lesson 1: Patient Transport to the Treatment Area

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain the three important steps of transporting patients from the front of the hospital to the back
  • Explain the three types of stimuli that patients may react to along the way
  • Comfortably separate the patient from the client on admission
  • Lead the patient safely to the treatment area or wards

Lesson 2: The Fear Free Treatment Area

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Understand the reasons for creating a Fear Free experience in the treatment area
  • Identify three areas where planning a Fear Free experience may be done
  • Provide and utilize strategies for handling different patients
  • Provide options when things are not going well

Lesson 3: Fear Free Housing

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Discuss four ways to reduce FAS in hospitalized patients
  • Create a stress-reduced environment for your patients

Lesson 4: Recognizing FAS in the Hospitalized Patient

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain the impact of long-term stress on a hospitalized patient
  • Recognize anxiety behaviors in hospitalized patients
  • Understand how anxiety and medical problems overlap
  • Implement protocols to respond to stressed hospitalized patients

Lesson 5: Gentle Handling of Patients in the Kennel Area

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain which skills are essential for kennel staff to handle and care for patients safely
  • Explain how to perform simple treatments on hospitalized patients in a safe and gentle manner

Close

Module 6: Fear Free Procedures

In this module, you will learn how to perform Fear Free procedures using environmental guidelines and gentle control techniques. These lessons will help you understand the basics of performing Fear Free veterinary procedures, including identifying calming locations for procedures, understanding team member roles, and using gentle control techniques and tools.

This module consists of four lessons.

Lesson 1: Fear Free Environmental Guidelines for Procedures

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify locations where procedures might be performed for cats and dogs to provide for a Fear Free experience
• Recognize that fewer team members and less restraint is best in most cases for both dogs and cats
• Identify strategies to transition or move a pet for a procedure in the least stressful manner possible

Lesson 2: General Guidelines for Gentle Control and Team Member Roles

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Name the two major reasons veterinary handling is stressful for patients
• Identify three options for positioning patients for procedures
• List concepts that reduce patient stress and increase their ability to cope with handling and procedures

Lesson 3: Gentle Control Tools

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain the potential benefits associated with the use of gentle control tools
• Recall the importance of positively conditioning the patient to a muzzle or other tool

Lesson 4: Performing Specific Procedures

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Apply gentle control techniques to several common feline and canine procedures
• Identify methods for collecting blood samples using gentle control techniques in cats and dogs

Lesson 5: Gentle Handling of Patients in the Kennel Area

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain which skills are essential for kennel staff to handle and care for patients safely
  • Explain how to perform simple treatments on hospitalized patients in a safe and gentle manner

Close

Module 7a: Pre-Visit Protocols: Complementary Therapeutics, Products, and Pharmaceuticals

In Module 7a, you will learn about various products that may be used to reduce fear, anxiety, and consequent reactive behaviors in the veterinary hospital. These lessons will review complementary therapeutics, alternative therapies, behavior management products, and pharmaceuticals that may aid in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress during car travel and veterinary visits, as well as promoting low-stress, gentle control for handling and veterinary procedures.

This module consists of three lessons.

Lesson 1: Complementary and Alternative Therapeutics

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Describe the differences between complementary therapeutics and alternative therapy
  • Identify complementary therapeutics that might aid in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress associated with travel and veterinary visits
  • Describe how these products should be used, including advice that should be provided to pet owners

Lesson 2: Behavior Management Products

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify behavior management products that might aid in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress during car travel and veterinary visits
  • Identify behavior management products that might aid in low-stress, gentle control for handling and procedures

Lesson 3: Pre-Visit Pharmaceutical Regimens

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain the benefits of PVPs for pets, clients, and veterinary staff
  • Prescribe appropriate pre-visit pharmaceutical agents used in cats
  • Prescribe appropriate pre-visit pharmaceutical agents used in dogs
  • Explain pertinent information about timing, methods of administration, expected response, and precautions for PVPs to clients
  • Explain which skills are essential for kennel staff to handle and care for patients safely
  • Explain how to perform simple treatments on hospitalized patients in a safe and gentle manner

Close

Module 7b: In-Hospital Protocols for Sedation, Anesthesia, and Analgesia

Module 7b will focus on the use of pharmaceuticals for in-hospital sedation to reduce fear, anxiety, stress, pain, and aggression and their consequent reactive behaviors. These lessons will review the advantages and disadvantages of sedative, anesthetic, and analgesic drugs commonly used in patients with fear, anxiety and stress or aggression and help you select the appropriate protocol for each patient.

This module consists of four lessons.

Lesson 1: In-Hospital Sedation: When and How

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

  • Describe why sedation and analgesia protocols are necessary
  • Explain why protocols should be based on available drugs, patient health, pain level, behavior, and planned procedures

Lesson 2: Pharmaceutical Choices: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Tips for Sedative, Anesthetic, and Analgesic Drugs

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the drugs most commonly used for sedation or anesthesia in patients that experience fear, anxiety, and stress or are aggressive
  • Decide which drugs are appropriate or inappropriate for select patients
  • Identify patient factors for choosing sedative, anesthetic, or analgesic drugs for Fear Free protocols

Lesson 3: Drugs for Extreme Fear, Anxiety and Stress or Aggression

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Discuss why sedatives work better in patients not experiencing fear, anxiety, and stress and/or aggression
  • Discuss why anesthetic drugs may be necessary in patients already exhibiting fear, anxiety, and stress and/or aggression
  • Choose a pharmaceutical protocol for a patient who is experiencing fear, anxiety, and stress and becoming aggressive even though a sedative drug has been administered

Lesson 4: Fear Free Pharmaceutical Protocol Suggestions

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

  • Create pharmaceutical protocols for a Fear Free experience for a variety of patients
  • Understand that patient response to pharmaceuticals is highly variable
  • Understand why multimodal protocols are preferred

Close