dvm360 Leadership Challenge: Fear Free

dvm360 faces fear

Here at dvm360, we're talkin' about a revolution. That is, Dr. Marty Becker and his compatriots have begun to stir the revolutionary waters of the veterinary world with two simple words: Fear Free. dvm360, Veterinary Economics,Veterinary Medicine and Firstline present a Leadership Challenge devoted entirely to the concept of Fear Free veterinary care. Support is growing for methods that calm patients and create low-stress environments to encourage better healthcare; more satisfied, compliant clients; a happier staff; and a healthier bottom line.

Below you’ll find coverage, analysis, solutions and tools from your favorite veterinary journals, plus Web-exclusive content from dvm360.com. But first ...

Dr. Karen Overall explains the effects of fear on veterinary patients

Once a pet has been frightened, it never forgets the experience. Karen Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB, CAAB, who's extensively studied what fear, stress and anxiety do to veterinary patients, explains what happens in a puppy's or kitten's brain when it has a scary experience at the veterinary clinic.

She also shares a personal story about the effects of inappropriate restraint.

Click the "share" icon in the top right corner to share this video with your clients on Facebook or Twitter, or click the "get code" icon to embed it on your own website.

Your complete guide to reducing fear in veterinary patients

Dr. Karen Overall guides you through a step-by-step plan to help you take a more humane approach to companion animal care in your veterinary practice.

Fear may not have to be the cost of getting the job done

For those who embraced Fear Free medicine early on, they saw obligation and opportunity in the veterinary profession.

Keep calm and Fear Free on

We asked 750 veterinarians which Fear Free methods they regularly do, sometimes do, coud do but don't, and which methods seem too difficult or don't interest them. We found that a softer, gentler veterinary experience is gaining traction. Are you on board?

Medications for fearful dogs and cats

Whether you're trying to prevent distress, alleviate ongoing distress or help dogs and cats not make fearful memories, use this guide to find the right formulation for your patients.

Safe travels for feline patients

Instruct clients in the following steps to ensure that cats can go to the veterinary hospital safely and without distress.

What dentists know about Fear Free

Veterinary Economics went outside veterinary medicine for words from dentists on how they've gone stress-free. Dentists and DVMs are tied together by their independent spirit and a willingness to fight for better patient healthcare. Can you learn something from dentists about creating a friendlier, less painful patient experience?

Great design without the dread

See why pets and clients alike stay calm, cool and collected in these stress-reducing veterinary practices.

The physiologic effects of fear

Dr. Valarie V. Tynes says fear or anxiety is more than an emotional problem for pets-it has the potential to cause many serious physical health problems and contribute to several others. Veterinarians, therefore, have an obligation to make all efforts to reduce the incidence of fear in the clinic and at home.

Client handout: Signs of anxiety and fear

A comprehensive list of anxiety signs by Dr. Marty Becker can help clients identify signs of stress that are often overlooked.

Client handout: Stress triggers for dogs and cats

Educate your clients on actions than can contribute to their pet's anxiety and behavior issues.

The canine ladder of aggression

Dogs communicate their discomfort with a situation and a desire to end an interaction by using visual cues. Recognizing the early signs of aggression is important so a perceived stress or threat to a dog can be removed sooner.

From fearful to Fear Free veterinary visits

Forget the old ideas of scaredy cats and fraidy dogs. You can make veterinary visits more comfortable for every patient with these simple steps.

Three quick Fear Free tips for the veterinary team

Use these quick tips to create a relaxing veterinary visit for pets.

Veterinary teams talk frankly about getting bitten

It's the dirty little secret in veterinary practices: animal bites.

Vet tech's confession: "I was bitten"

A cat bite took me by surprise-and taught me some important lessons.

5 tips to avoid getting bitten

Take a minute to remember these safe pet handling tips.

Client handout: Practice a fun, Fear Free visit

Anxious pets are more difficult to calm down and treat at the veterinary practice. You can help make veterinary visits more relaxing with this handout.

Team safety: The peril of pet bites in veterinary practice

More than 80 percent of team members say they've been bitten at work, according to a 2014 Firstline study. And when team members brush off the bite or blame themselves, the results can be dire.

Want more?

iPad: Help clients understand pets' fear

A big part of the Fear Free movement is veterinarians and team members helping clients come to a better understanding of fear in pets-and its implications over a lifetime. To get the conversation started, have clients check out the dvm360 iPad app's new Fear Free client module, available now. Visit dvm360.com/ipadapp to download free client modules and much more.

Video: Why go fear-free? Dr. Marty Becker explains it all

If patient fear and anxiety were a pandemic, what's the cure? Dr. Becker has more than a few ideas in mind.

Facing fear head on: Tips for veterinarians to create a more behavior-centered practice

Dr. Karen Overall equips veterinary teams with the ability to assess and alleviate fear during veterinary visits to build a more positive patient experience and stronger pet-owner relationships.

Posts and tweets about fear-free tactics

Share your fear-free techniques on social media to make clients less nervous to bring their pets into your practice.

Is routine veterinary care contributing to lifelong patient anxiety?

Explore the dramatic impact of a single visit on a pet's long-term behavioral well-being.

Click here for more resources on how to reduce fear in your veterinary patients.