How veterinary technicians can become Fear Free champions

The reasons to use Fear Free techniques in your veterinary clinic extend beyond the welfare of your patients, according to CVC educator Debbie Martin, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, LVT, VTS (behavior). But that's the place to start.

For example, she notes that dogs and cats get stressed out by things like eye contact and the presence of something towering over them.

"Rather than maintaining direct eye contact with them, you look and you look away," she says. "We can turn sideways so we're less threatening and we're not looming over them."

(Click here to learn how one technician decides what to pull out of the Fear Free arsenal during reception area introductions, exam room visits or treatment areas encounters.)

But the benefits don't end with the pet. Martin says there's also a workplace benefit: "If the pets that come in are happier, it makes us veterinary technicians happier about going to our job and enjoy what we're doing much better."

Additionally, she describes how taking on the role of Fear Free advocate can open up great career options. "If you become the Fear Free advocate in your hospital, you can start taking on things like preventive care services, which can be added income," she says.