New partnership supports veterinary mental wellbeing

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The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC), a group purchasing organization for independent practices, recently announced a new partnership with Fear Free, a company working to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) for pets during veterinary visits.¹ Together, the organizations intend to support the mental wellbeing of veterinary professionals and provide low-stress care to patients. In the partnership, TVC members will gain access to, and benefit from, Fear Free’s certification programs, training, and associated educational materials, enabling them to provide clients with more positive veterinary experiences.¹

“Our alliance with Fear Free couldn’t be more timely,” Kim London, director of strategic partnerships at TVC, said in a news release.¹ “With the growing demand for low-stress handling techniques and the rising concern for the mental health of veterinary professionals, Fear Free provides our members with the resources they need to meet these challenges head-on. This collaboration will not only elevate the level of care our members provide, but also support their teams in fostering a healthier, more fulfilling work environment.”

Fear Free equips veterinary professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to treat patients during visits in a way that does not inflict FAS. In recent years, pet owners have been more conscious of the FAS that their pets may experience during veterinary visits.¹ Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practices are required to enroll in the official Fear Free certification program, ensuring that all team members acquire their individual certifications, incorporate mandatory standards into their care, before undergoing official Fear Free assessments. The result is more positive veterinary experiences for animals and their owners.

“The benefits of Fear Free extend beyond the immediate wellbeing of pets,” Marty Becker, DVM, founder of Fear Free, said.¹ “By creating a calmer environment, veterinary teams experience less stress and greater job satisfaction. We’re excited to work with TVC to bring these benefits to independent practices, helping them thrive both clinically and financially.”

The partnership comes as the veterinary industry faces new challenges with burnout and mental wellbeing. A 2020 study found 26.2% of surveyed Canadian veterinarians had suicidal thoughts during the previous 12 months, a number significantly higher than the general Canadian population.² According to another study, female and male veterinarians were 3.5 and 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide, respectively, when compared to the general population.³

In August 2024, TVC announced a partnership with Hound, a company focused on veterinary staffing, retention, and workplace engagement, in a combined effort to address the relevant issues of staffing shortages and burnout within the industry. TVC members acquired access to Hound’s full suite of services as part of the agreement.⁴

Since Becker founded Fear Free in 2016, the program has grown worldwide, most recently expanding to the Oceanic region, with the first Veterinary Practice in Australia becoming Fear Free certified. In an email to dvm360, Becker attributed the worldwide acceptance of Fear Free to the very reason anyone enters the veterinary field in the first place: They want to help animals.

“When animals want to come to a veterinary practice, and pet parents want to take them there, it makes [the] practice so much less stressful,” Becker wrote. “Plus, as a veterinary health care professional, you get to practice like you always dreamed of: I love animals, and they love me back.”

References

1. The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC) Forms Strategic Alliance With Fear Free to Address Growing Demand for Low-Stress Veterinary Care and Mental Health Support in Practices. News release. The Veterinary Cooperative. August 28, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828957946/en/The-Veterinary-Cooperative-TVC-Forms-Strategic-Alliance-With-Fear-Free-to-Address-Growing-Demand-for-Low-Stress-Veterinary-Care-and-Mental-Health-Support-in-Practices
2. Perret JL, Best CO, Coe JB, Greer AL, Khosa DK, Jones-Bitton A. Prevalence of mental health outcomes among Canadian veterinarians. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020;256(3):365-375. doi:10.2460/javma.256.3.365
3. Witte TK, Spitzer EG, Edwards N, Fowler KA, Nett RJ. Suicides and deaths of undetermined intent among veterinary professionals from 2003 through 2014. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2019;255(5):595-608. doi:10.2460/javma.255.5.595
4. Littrell A. New partnership aims to address veterinary burnout. dvm360. August 26, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-partnership-aims-to-address-veterinary-burnout