Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification
Feline & Canine
As veterinary professionals, we understand the emotional demand of the veterinary field, and we know the impact that stress and anxiety can have on your patients, your team, and your 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.

About the Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification
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.
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
The Veterinary Professional Certification Program – Canine & Feline teaches you how to use Fear Free concepts to ensure that veterinary visits go as smoothly as possible. Video clips and interactive slides show you how to recognize signs of stress in companion animal patients, how to use simple tools to provide Gentle Control, how to train cooperative behaviors and more.
This course is approved through the following organizations:
- 7 hours of RACE CE
- 6 hours of CVPM-qualified CE through VHMA
Introduce foundational concepts in learning theory, basic behavior modification, and the core principles of Fear Free: Considerate Approach, Gentle Control, and Touch Gradient.
Focus on strategies to prepare patients before they arrive at the veterinary practice.
Cover methods for preparing the veterinary environment to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS), along with guidance on communicating FAS signs effectively to pet owners.
Provide in-depth instruction on patient handling techniques and Fear Free approaches to performing procedures.
Present pharmacological protocols that support the delivery of veterinary care in a Fear Free manner.
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 to Career Center
- 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.
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

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 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
- 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.
Group Pricing
Fear Free Is Better Together!
Number of members