Equine
Veterinary Professional Certification Program
Fear Free and good horsemanship go hand in hand: Communication is the essence of both. Horses are large, powerful animals and injuries to equine veterinarians are common. Fear Free helps reduce injuries to veterinary staff and horses, improve the health and wellbeing of patients, save you time, create more manageable patients, and earn your clients’ lasting trust and commitment.
Veterinary Professional Membership
This membership is designed for all individuals employed at a practice, from veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians to customer service representatives and practice managers. The certification programs included in this membership are seen as the foundation for Fear Free and designed to give individuals the knowledge and tools required to start implementing Fear Free in their workplace.
This membership provides access to all Veterinary Professional Certification Program courses emphasizing different species. It is renewed annually from the date of purchase or date of membership assignment by a Team Administrator.
Course Overview
The Veterinary Professional Certification Program – Equine teaches you how to use Fear Free concepts to ensure that barn visits and hospital visits go as smoothly as possible. Video clips and slides show you how to examine equine patients safely by using gentle techniques, perform routine procedures in a non-threatening way, recognize signs of stress in equine patients, help owners train their horses to cooperate in medical care, hoof care, and more.
Course authors: Stacie Boswell, DVM, DACVS-LA, Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, Manon (Nita) Hynes, DVM, Claudia Richter, DVM, ACVB Resident and Sherrie Yuschak, RVT, VTS-Behavior, KPA Faculty
Course reviewers: Sue McDonnell, MS, PhD, CAAB, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Stephen Reed, DVM, DACVIM, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Rebecca Gimenez Husted, BS, PhD, Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue and Lore Haug, DVM, MS, DACVB, CABC, Texas Veterinary Behavior Services
This course is approved through the following organizations:
- 8 hours of RACE CE
Lesson 1: The Stress Response
Lesson 2: Equine Body Language and Vocalizations
Lesson 3: How Horses Perceive the World
Lesson 4: Basics of Learning Theory and Behavior
Lesson 1: Touch Gradient
Lesson 2: Considerate Approach
Lesson 3: Gentle Control
Lesson 4: Safety
Lesson 1: Training and Loading into the Trailer
Lesson 2: Traveling with Horses Safely and Comfortably
Lesson 3: Unloading and Arrival
Lesson 1: Fear Free Considerations for the Hospital Environment
Lesson 2: Bringing Horses In and Working With Them In the Hospital Environment
Lesson 3: Medication Administration
Lesson 4: Fear Free Stall Rest
Lesson 1: Owner Communication and Education
Lesson 2: Introduction to Veterinary Care Training and Cooperative Care
Lesson 3: Creating a Successful Environment
Lesson 4: Selecting Reinforcers and Reinforcement Delivery
Lesson 5: Fundamentals of Teaching Behavior with Positive Reinforcement
Lesson 1: Creating a Training Plan
Lesson 2: Teaching Restraint as a Skill & Stationing Behaviors
Lesson 3: Common Husbandry Procedures
Lesson 4: Training for Hoof Care
Lesson 5: Cooperative Care for Veterinary Treatments
Lesson 6: Cooperative Care Training at the Veterinary Appointment
Lesson 1: Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals
Lesson 2: Complementary and Alternative Therapeutics
Lesson 1: Pain and Analgesia: Introduction, Importance, and Integration into Fear Free
Lesson 2: Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acute Pain, Focus on Field Situations
Lesson 3: Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acute Pain, Focus on Hospital Situations
Member Benefits
Discover the exclusive benefits included with the Veterinary Professional Membership. In addition to the applicable certification programs, your membership gives you access to so much more!
Additional Courses
Deepen your Fear Free knowledge and earn more CE. Explore all courses here.
Marketing Resources
Download logos, email signatures, social media graphics, and more!
Educational Resources
Peruse client communication handouts, fear, anxiety and stress assets, questionnaires, and more!
Directory Listing
Once individually certified, members have the opportunity to opt-in to be found in our online directory. Find a Fear Free certified professional or practice near you.
Certification Kit
Once individually certified, members are able to order a complimentary gift to celebrate their new certification.
Facebook Community
Join our exclusive, members-only Facebook group to share advice and connect with other Fear Free professionals.
Product Discounts
Enjoy special pricing on products and services that are aligned with our values. View Friends of Fear Free.
Career Center
Get member-pricing to post available jobs or find a job with a like-minded employer. Visit our Career Center.
Merchandise & Swag
Our online store is exclusive to active members who can purchase merch and swag to promote certification status.
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
Requirements
To successfully attain and maintain certification, all members must:
- Pass each online module with a score of 80% or higher.
- Sign and uphold to the Fear Free Pledge, a commitment to follow a humane, emotionally protective code of conduct and ethical standards.
- Keep an active membership.
Earning Elite Designation
Becoming an Elite Certified Professional is for veterinary members who want to go above and beyond in their commitment to Fear Free. Elite Certified Professionals are individuals who are continually committed to a higher level of education and this status allows the opportunity to set themselves apart from the rest.
The requirements to achieve this designation are:
- Completion of one Veterinary Professional Certification Program (any species)
- Completing 35 total hours of Fear Free-provided CE
- Keep an active membership
To track your progress towards achieving Elite status, check your Member Homepage in the My Learning section.
Veterinary Professional Membership Pricing
This membership is renewed annually from the date of purchase or date of membership assignment by a Team Administrator. All pricing is in USD.
Number of Members
Annual Renewal
Interested in becoming a Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice?
To find out more about certifying your practice, Certified Practice benefits and pricing, visit the Practice Certification page.