Fear Free Pets

Dr. Carol Reinero, an expert in respiratory diseases in small animals, discusses the rising popularity and associated problems of brachycephalic (shortnosed) dog breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs. She explains how their physical traits lead to a variety of health problems, particularly respiratory issues known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and aerodigestive disorders. The discussion delves into how even though specific symptoms associated with brachycelpahlic breeds (including exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing after eating, excessive burping, flatulence, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea) are often considered “normal," these have serious long-term health implications and negatively impact a dog's quality of life. In addition, due to their compromised respiratory systems, these dogs are also increasingly susceptible to infections and severe manifestations of diseases like canine influenza. To combat these serious concerns, Dr. Reinero emphasizes the critical role of veterinary professionals in managing the complex health needs of brachycephalic dogs. By adopting Gentle Control techniques, implementing effective obesity management strategies, educating pet owners, and tailoring vaccination protocols to include low-volume preventive vaccines, veterinary professionals can significantly enhance the well-being of these beloved breeds. Additionally, the discussion delves into specifics of creating a positive and Fear Free veterinary experience that fosters better compliance with health recommendations and strengthens the human-animal bond. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Elanco.

Dr. Adam Christman discusses the importance of Fear Free, including why the concept hit home for him. He delves into ways he integrates Fear Free into his care for pets, including little wins that build loyalty in both person and pet in wanting to come back to the practice. Dr. Adam Christman's Bio: Dr. Christman is the Chief Veterinary Officer for dvm360® and the Fetch Veterinary Conferences, the country's leading veterinary multimedia company.  He a proud dachshund dad to 4 and has been in private practice for 18 years and does relief work to stay sharp.  Dr. Christman is passionate about educating pet owners through his social media channels with over 1.5 million followers on his platforms.  Featured on TV, podcasts and radio shows, Dr. Christman enjoys elevating veterinary medicine through these media channels.  He is the co-author of “Honey Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Pet Owner's Guide to Dogs with IVDD” and has written a textbook chapter for “Veterinary Practice Management.”.   Christman is the 2023 VMX Speaker of the Year in Practice Management, Bright Mind's Veterinary Influencer of the Year and the 2023 recipient of the William Switzer Distinguished Alumni Award.  He is honored to be this year's commencement speaker for his alma mater, Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode Dr. Natalie Marks speaks on the latest science and strategies surrounding improved quality of life for canine and feline cancer patients. Discussion includes ways to more effectively assess and address indicators impacting both the physical and emotional health of dogs and cats diagnosed with cancer and those in remission. Aspects of pharmaceutical treatment covered include pain management, preserving appetite, anxiolytic options and steps for easier pilling, including options for compounding medications. Environmental needs are also discussed, including modifications to how pets are fed and groomed as well as changes to household setup to allow for more optimal and lower stress living. Dr. Marks also discusses ways to compassionately and more effectively have those challenging conversations with guardians surrounding their pet's diagnosis and treatment plan, with the overall goal being to preserve the human-animal bond as much as possible. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dechra. Dechra tool for measuring quality of life is available here- https://dechra-us.com/Files/Files/SupportMaterialDownloads/US/14QZ-DEC22080-0322_Quality-of-Life-Score-Card-FINAL-2.pdf More on Dr. Natalie Marks: Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, FFCP-Elite. Dr. Natalie Marks obtained her bachelor's degree with High Honors in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1998. Then, she received a master's in veterinary medicine and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree with High Honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Certified Veterinary Journalist in 2018. She began practicing in Chicago as a veterinarian at Blum Animal Hospital in 2006, was co-owner until 2018, and continued to practice until 2023. Before 2006, Dr. Marks worked at Allatoona Animal Hospital just north of Atlanta, GA. Dr. Marks finds the ideal combination of teaching/mentoring and improving the emotional health of pets in the Fear Free movement. She sat on the Fear Free Executive Council and is a national educator helping other private practitioners develop these techniques. She also led her practice to become the 7th nationally and first in Illinois to become a Fear Free Certified Hospital. She is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional. Important Safety Information: For use in dogs only. Laverdia®-CA1 (verdinexor tablets) is conditionally approved for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs. NOT FOR USE IN HUMANS. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH LAVERDIA-CA1. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing women and children should not handle or administer Laverdia-CA1 or come into contact with the feces, urine, saliva, or vomit of treated dogs for 3 days following treatment. Laverdia-CA1 can affect male fertility based on animal studies and studies in humans. Wear protective disposable chemotherapy resistant gloves when handling Laverdia-CA1 to avoid direct exposure to moistened, broken or crushed tablets or biological waste from the treated dog (feces, urine, saliva, or vomit). Do not use in dogs that are pregnant, lactating or intended for breeding. Laverdia-CA1 is a possible teratogen and can affect female and male fertility. Dogs should be frequently monitored for hematologic and serum chemistry abnormalities. The most commonly reported adverse reactions in dogs include anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Please see package insert for full prescribing information- https://dechra-us.com//Files/Files/ProductDownloads/US/Laverdia-CA1-US-Marketing-Insert-85-x-11-1-2.pdf

Celebrity trainer Nicole Ellis shares her top tips to lower stress for dogs, cats and yes, even horses! Nicole Ellis CPDT-KA, APDT, Fear Free Certified, AKC evaluator Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and esteemed pet lifestyle expert, is the co-author of Working Like a Dog and has been featured on Amazon's The Pack, as well as The Today Show, among other platforms. Through her positive reinforcement training approach, Nicole emphasizes building strong bonds between pets and their owners. Her expertise spans puppy training, teaching tricks, dog sports, movie work, and more, all with the overarching goal of integrating pets more seamlessly into our lives. She has her own loved pets, Maggie and Rossi, as well as her horse Cali.

World renown dog trainer Victoria Stilwell from It's Me or the Dog and host Steve Dale discuss why Fear Free is so essential for all animals and stands as the gold standard of care. The duo also discuss ways to reduce canine aggression that include consent tests that ensure the dog's kept comfortable throughout the entire interaction. Be sure to checkout the Dog Behavior Conference put on by Victoria Stilwell that's taking place April 19-21, 2024. Special guests include The Fear Free Podcast's own host, Steve Dale, and Fear Free's own father/ daughter team, Marty and Mikkel Becker. Signup here- https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/dog-behavior-conference/. More on our special guest, Victoria Stilwell: Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV series and social media sensation It's Me or the Dog as well as The Dog Academy (Channel 4), Greatest American Dog (CBS), Dogs Might Fly (Sky TV), Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs (Smithsonian Channel), Help My Dog is Out of Control (BBC One), and various featured web series including Arson Dogs, Guardians of the Night and Unsung Heroes. Having filmed over 150 episodes of It's Me or the Dog since 2005, Stilwell reaches TV audiences with her philosophy of positive training methods in over 135 countries, while the show's popular YouTube, Facebook and TikTok channels inspire new generations of dog lovers. A best-selling author of 5 books including her latest, The Ultimate Guide to Raising A Puppy, Stilwell appears frequently in the media and is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior. A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world's premier global network of positive dog trainers. Stilwell is the recipient of multiple awards and is committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved with organizations around the world to increase awareness of puppy mills, dogfighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention and other animal-related causes, but she is best known as a champion for humane positive reinforcement dog training methods. She is an Ambassador for the RSPCA, International Ambassador for the Soi Dog Foundation and serves on the Advisory Boards of RedRover, The Georgia Pet Coalition, The Grey Muzzle Foundation, DogTV and Canine Assistants.

Since the onset of canine parvovirus in the 1970s, we've made great strides with vaccination. That being said, unfortunately, we still see canine parvovirus cases. Join Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, to learn about an exciting treatment option that is available! Brought to you by our friends at Elanco: https://www.elanco.com/en-us

Feline diabetes is becoming much more prevalent in today's world. Dr. Cindi Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM SAIM, FFCP, joins Dr. Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, Elite FFCP, for a deeper dive into the world of feline diabetes to discuss case selection, monitoring, and how communication can remove fear, anxiety, and stress from treatment. Brought to you by our friends at Elanco: https://www.elanco.com/en-us

Dietary supplements have shown promise in treating a wide variety of canine and feline conditions such as diarrhea, dehydration, age-related cognitive decline, and anxiety, particularly when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Join Dr. Julia Albright MA DVM DACVB, to discuss the underlying actions of several supplements and how their use can improve clinical signs, compliance, and the human-animal bond. Brought to you by our friends at Purina: https://www.purinaforprofessionals.com

Join Dr. Jessica Pritchard to discuss what's new in feline infectious disease and prevention strategies. She will go into details about feline leukemia, feline calicivirus, vaccination strategies for prevention and how they align with Fear Free principles.

Come join Dr. Pritchard and learn more about the bacterial infection leptospirosis including risk factors to both animals and people, prevention strategies and ways to make the vaccination visit safe and fear free for our pets.

Veterinary Isolation Protocols through the Fear Free Lens, we had the honor of speaking with Dr. Colleen Fisher, DVM MSc. In this episode we dive into the impact of isolation on the emotional development of pediatric patients, the importance of the first fear impact period, and isolation through a Fear Free lens. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Virox https://virox.com

Parrots can make wonderful companions but we need to make sure we're meeting their needs and giving them the opportunity to express their natural behaviors. Animal Trainer and Behavior Consultant Cassie Malina joins Steve Dale to discuss her lengthy career working with birds and her top tips for keeping parrots engaged, fulfilled, and Fear Free.

Our pets view and interact with their world primarily through scent, and pheromones play a key function in the creation or diminishment of the FAS response. Debbie Martin, RVT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior), joins Steve Dale to talk about how we can utilize proper cleaning protocols and products to eliminate negative-associative pheromones and how we can use positive-associative pheromones to create a Fear Free environment. Brought to you by our friends at Virox.

Dr. Meadows, an expert in immunology talks to us about the importance of keeping your pets updated in immunology, when to do it, what to watch out for, and how you can give them in a Fear Free way. Brought to you by our friends at Elanco

Dr. Jan Bellows, world-renowned expert of veterinary dentistry joins us to talk about how new technologies, including an oral micro-biome testing for dental disease from Basepaws can help you take your dental practice to the next level. The results can help veterinarians with an improved picture of what risks may be hiding in the mouth without presenting any visual clues. These results can help pet parents adhere to veterinary recommendation and encourage them to maintain their pet's oral health.

Everyone knows about burnout, and most have experienced it themselves. However, it can be hard to know where to even begin tackling this insidious part of veterinary medicine. Philip Richmond, DVM, Chief Medical & Wellbeing Officer of Veterinary United, shares what he's learned about burnout and ways to help you and your team work through it and manage it.

Stress colitis is a condition that veterinarians and many pet parents are unfortunately familiar with. Dr. Leighann Daristotle joins us to discuss new research on the causes and treatments of stress colitis as well as ways you can help your clients calm their pet's colitis.

Dr. Julie Liu and Dr. Cindy Trice join us to discuss how Fear Free can work for the busy life and practice of relief vet work.

Avian patients present a multitude of challenges and requirements that typical companion animals don't have. This doesn't mean they deserve any less of a Fear Free experience than our other pets. Barbara Heidenreich and Dr. Alicia McLaughlin, co-authors of Fear Free's Avian Certification Program join Steve Dale to talk about the new course and how Fear Free avian practice works.

Talking to your clients about Fear Free can often seem like you're speaking a different language. Dr. Sarah Wolff, Fear Free Certified Veterinarian and expert in client communication joins us to discuss ways to get your clients to commit to a Fear Free approach, how to educate clients with limited time, and communication tools to help you make Fear Free happen.

Cats are masters at hiding pain, and pet owners are not aware that changes in behavior can be indicative of pain. This podcast will focus on the specific behaviors that cats with osteoarthritis exhibit, discuss how pain impacts the entire body, and what veterinary professionals can do to manage their feline patients' OA pain, as well as how cat owners can provide history videos that will aid in the diagnosis. Brought to you by our friends at Zoetis.

Join Mikkel Becker, Lead Animal Trainer for Fear Free, to discuss her newest course, Next Level Nail Trims. Mikkel shares stories from the trenches on dealing with difficult nail trims and gives her top tips for creating a Fear Free nail trim experience.

Nutrition is the foundation of a pet's health and longevity, but having adequate time to discuss nutrition for healthy pets during the course of an often-hectic veterinary visit is a real challenge. Vickie Carmella, DVM, and Bretaigne Jones, DVM, MS, share some great tips to help veterinary practitioners make these important discussions as productive and efficient as possible. Brought to you by Blue Buffalo.

Dr. Ken Martin and Debbie Martin, RVT, a dynamic duo in the veterinary and behavior world join our host Steve Dale to discuss the part the idea of the Treat Ladder and how this powerful tool can help you to eliminate fear, anxiety, and stress in your patient.

Join Amy Newfield MS, CVT, VTS (ECC) & Alison Gottlieb BS, CVT, VTS(ECC)as they talk about the importance of osteoarthritis screening with pet owners; creating a checklist, taking videos to show Vets during the exam, pain teaching tools(canine/feline) and how to connect with pet owners about osteoarthritis and gain compliance. Sponsored by Zoetis.

Join Dr. Amy Shirley and her husband Michael Shirley to talk about their journey through veterinary medicine and Fear Free, how it helped replenish their love for the profession and how it improved both their clients lives and their business. Brought to you by Vetoquinol, makers of Zylkene.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought telehealth to the forefront of both human and animal healthcare. Listen to Bruce Truman, Chief Commercial Officer of Fear Free and founding board member of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association, as he discusses the ins and outs of veterinary telehealth and how it supports the tenets of Fear Free.

Mikkel Becker, Lead Animal Trainer for Fear Free Pets, CBCC-KA, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CTC, chats about the new Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification Program and how pet sitters and dog walkers play an integral role in both the physical and emotional wellbeing of pets.

Stacie Boswell, DVM, DACVS-LA, co-author of the Fear Free Veterinary Certification Program – Equine, discusses the importance of Fear Free care for equine patients and their veterinary teams.

Join Michael Hargrove, DVM, MBA, CVA, as he discusses the positive impact of Fear Free on client relations, patient interactions, staff satisfaction, and overall practice operations.

Beginning with Halloween and lasting until the New Year, the holiday season can be one of the most stressful times of year for pets and their people owners. If the pet already has any anxiety or fear-related behaviors, the holidays pose additional threats to their emotional well-being. Geriatric pets may find holidays more stressful than when the pet was younger, while new puppies and kittens still in their socialization period are particularly sensitive to frightening events. In this podcast, Nora Grant, DVM, will cover the issues involved in identifying and preventing holiday season stress as well as how to address it when it occurs. Brought to you by Ceva Animal Health.

With the current pandemic, disinfection has become as important as ever. In this podcast, Nicole Kenny, vice president of professional and technical services at Virox Technologies Inc, discusses new disinfection standards, common disinfection mistakes, and more. Brought to you by Virox Animal Health.

Bad breath can be a sign of something much more serious. Board-certified veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows and Fear Free founder Dr. Marty Becker explore the underrated importance of at-home dental care to keep your dogs’ mouth healthy and their kisses fresh. Brought to you by BARK.

Osteoarthritis insidiously, quietly, and progressively robs dogs of their quality of life. Think about it: People with OA don't go to their doctor complaining of "lameness" - they complain that they're in pain. Worst of all, the Labrador lifespan study found OA was the most common cause of death when it prompted an end of life decision. In this podcast, Ross H. Palmer, DVM, MS, DACVS, explains that early diagnosis and an exam that "tells you where it hurts" are the keys to successful treatment. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Thunder, fireworks, and many everyday sounds can be triggers for dogs with noise aversion. In this podcast, Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, Fear Free Certified, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, shares tips on how veterinarians can help their clients and patients deal with this difficult problem. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Veterinarian Mary Ann Vande Linde, DVM, and technician Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC), discuss working as a team with feline osteoarthritis patients. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Dr. Fiona Bateman, BVSc, DACVD, discusses Fear Free techniques to make long-term, at-home management of dermatology an enjoyable experience for all involved! Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

In this podcast, Michele Rosenbaum, VMD, DACVD, Medical Lead - Dermatology for Zoetis Petcare, highlights how each member of the veterinary team can use Fear Free principles to have the best results with allergic itchy dogs. She describes how to modify common exam room dermatology diagnostic techniques by using Fear Free techniques and shares resources on how to get your practice ready for Itchy Pet Awareness Month in August. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Valerie A. Fadok, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVD, joins us to discuss how to use Fear Free techniques to get a good examination of the skin and ears. She reviews two case studies where these techniques led to success. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Dogs with allergic itch may have increased stress. In this podcast, Dana Liska, DVM, DACVD, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and Fear Free Certified Professional, will outline how to incorporate Fear Free approaches that will reduce the pet's stress and help clients understand and accept that these cases will be lifelong, requiring repeated clinic visits. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Veterinarian Mary Ann Vande Linde, DVM, and technician Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC), discuss working as a team with canine osteoarthritis patients. They cover how to incorporate the Zoetis canine checklist and Fear Free key attributes in the process. Brought to you by Zoetis Petcare.

Fear Free founder Dr. Marty Becker discusses tips and tricks for best communicating to pet owners about the importance of Fear Free veterinary care for their pets. Brought to you by Elanco.

Listen to Dr. Edward Wakem, manager of companion animal veterinary services at Ceva Animal Health, as he debunks common myths and misperceptions about Fear Free Practice Certification.

Fear Free's Head of Research Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM (CA), discusses the current research behind Fear Free techniques.

Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, discusses how pain presents itself and its adverse effects on a pet's quality of life.

Board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Denis Philibert explains the benefits of using Fear Free techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and pain in surgery and recovery.

Dr. Sara Pizano, animal welfare strategist at Team Shelter USA and author of The Best Practice Playbook for Animal Shelters, discusses the link between a Fear Free shelter environment and implementing best practices in shelters. Sponsored by Virox.

The holiday season can be difficult for pets. Join Sharon L. Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Zoetis Petcare Medical Lead for Analgesia, Sedation, and Anesthesia; Joyce A. Login, DVM, Zoetis Petcare Medical Lead for Pain, Oncology, and Specialty Products; and host Steve Dale to get expert Fear Free tips on helping them enjoy the season along with their owners. Sponsored by Zoetis Petcare.

Dana Liska, DVM, DACVD, Senior Veterinary Specialist, Dermatology at Zoetis Petcare, and Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB of Veterinary Behavior Consultations, share top tips for treating itchy dogs and the fear, anxiety, and stress associated with dermatologic issues. Sponsored by Zoetis Petcare.

Dr. Graham Bilbrough, associate director of medical affairs at IDEXX, and Dr. Marty Becker, founder and CEO of Fear Free, discuss the importance of preventive care in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Addie McBane from VCA Central Kitsap Animal Hospital, a Fear Free Certified Practice, discusses easy ways to implement Fear Free techniques in an emergency and critical care setting.