Denver, Colo. – Thanks to a partnership with Ceva Animal Health, Fear Free^SM practice certification will be offered to qualifying veterinary hospitals starting in April 2018.

The growth of the Fear Free training and certification program has been explosive since it launched in 2016. More than 20,000 professionals have enrolled so far, and interest in practice certification has been equally high.

“Fear Free is excited to leverage Ceva’s existing talent of highly-qualified, educated, and passionate veterinarians for practice certification,” said Dr. Marty Becker, founder and CEO of Fear Free. “This collaboration will allow Fear Free to offer a larger number of certification visits, with a highly trained team, at affordable rates to hospitals.”

"Ceva is proud to be an inaugural sponsor of Fear Free and believes strongly in the program and its mission," said Craig Wallace, CEO and NAPAC Zone Director at Ceva Animal Health. “Our veterinary services team and territory managers know firsthand how adoption of Fear Free protocols improves the experience of the pet, the pet owner, and even hospital staff leading to more frequent and more in-depth appointments. We look forward to helping veterinary hospitals become certified by embracing the Fear Free approach, which benefits all involved.”

The Fear Free certification program was based on the input of its 160-member advisory panel, comprised of board-certified veterinary behaviorists, well-known veterinary practice management experts, and other leaders in the field.  

While individual training and certification provides professionals with the tools they need to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in patients, Fear Free Practice Certification takes this effort to the next level. These practices will have successfully implemented Fear Free into all aspects of their business, from culture and leadership to client education, staff training, and facility and patient experience, which will be evaluated during an on-site visit.

Practice certification will be conducted by Ceva veterinarians, who in their capacity as Fear Free consultants are committed to visiting the practices as representatives of

Fear Free, and to conduct thorough and impartial certifications. Products will not to be mentioned unless they are part of an established Fear Free Practice standard.

“The Ceva veterinarians are committed to becoming fully immersed in Fear Free, and will receive extensive training prior to practice certification launching,” said Becker. “All certifying veterinarians will be Level 1 and Level 2 certified, and will have taken all of Fear Free’s available CE.”

"Practice certification is the next transformative step in veterinary medicine," said Dr. Julie Reck, owner of the Veterinary Medical Center of Fort Mill and member of the Fear Free Executive Council. "This partnership will create an opportunity for veterinary practices to demonstrate a united commitment to providing kind and compassionate care for animals, which is a refreshing reminder of what inspired us to pursue veterinary medicine in the first place!”

Veterinary professionals can visit fearfreepets.com to sign up and begin Fear Free Certification.

###

About Fear Free

Developed by “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear Free initiative aims to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” and get pets back for veterinary visits by promoting considerate approach and gentle control techniques used in calming environments. Utilization of Fear Free methods and protocols leads to reduction or removal of anxiety triggers, which creates an experience that is rewarding and safer for all involved, including pets, their owners, and veterinary health care teams. The end result? Calmer, more accepting patients, more compliant clients, and better veterinary care. For more information, visit www.fearfreepets.com.