When dogs with sociable natures are not able to interact with other dogs or people as freely as they wish, they can feel frustrated. Use this handout to help educate your clients on ways to alleviate leash reactivity.
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When you think of a happy dog or a blissful cat, often images of a treat-spoiled dog or cat basking in the presence of some catnip come to mind. And it’s true. Cats and dogs love those things. But when used in the right context, these seemingly simple little joys can be more than just recreational forms of happiness for our best friends. When it comes to reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets during veterinary visits, the right use of treats and other tactics can make for powerful tools. In this podcast, featuring Dr. Natalie Marks of Blum Animal Hospital and Dr. John Talmadge of Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic, we talk about the treat ladder’s literal role in creating a Fear Free veterinary visit as well as its part in the larger Fear Free ideology and approach.
This episode coincides with the launch of one Fear Free’s newest and most exciting additions to our lineup of Educational modules: Fear Free Foundation for Kittens & Puppies. Course authors Kenneth M. Martin, DVM, DACVB (Behavior), Debbie A. Martin, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, LVT, VTS (Behavior), and Mikkel Becker, CPDT-KA, CDBC, CTC. KPA Graduate, give listeners an inside look into the course and talk about why behavior prevention is so important—even for veterinary professionals.
In only months since launching, Fear Free certifications have been growing tremendously. As of this recording, more than 700 veterinary professionals have become certified and more than 3,200 have registered and are in the process of becoming certified. But it’s not just about the numbers. Fear Free is about looking out for our best friends, and nobody appreciates that more than their owners. In this podcast, through the lens of a client named Alex Patinios (our first featured client on a podcast ever) and his dog Dakota’s experience with Dr. Bloom, we get to hear what Fear Free means from a client’s perspective. This is a powerful case study that shows just how impactful Fear Free can be for the people and animals that the veterinary industry is dedicated to serving.
Emotional Medical Record Template
A customized care routine is crucial to a successful Fear Free veterinary visit. Use this Fear Free Emotional Medical Record (EMR) template to organize each patient’s preferences of examination area, motivational aid, and specifics of incidents of FAS. Templates are available for dogs/cats and also for birds.
Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) Scale
Because it is critically important to rate an animal’s level of FAS, Fear Free created this FAS scale for certified professionals. This scale will give you the opportunity to be consistent in assessing and recording every animal’s FAS level, and it will give you recommendations on how to proceed. Page two of the scale is your tool to record details on each animal.
Print out the scale, laminate it, and hang it on the wall. The second page goes into each patient’s medical record. Scales are available for dogs, cats, horses, and birds.
Body Language and Signs of FAS in Dogs & Cats
Understanding and assessing your patients’ body language is an essential part of Fear Free. It also plays an important role in client education for a client to understand and buy into Fear Free and your recommendations. Print out the two pages of body language slides, laminate them, and place them into each exam room. You could also place them into your waiting area, and into your staff common areas to serve as an educational tool.
FAS Spectrum Handouts
The bulk of communication between humans is through body language and the same goes for animals. It’s important for both your team and your customers to understand the often subtle signs of fear, anxiety, and stress that their pet is expressing. Use these FAS Spectrum sheets to visually explain the different signs of FAS and the corresponding levels of arousal. Handouts available for dogs, cats, horses, birds, and rats.