What is Fear Free®?
The mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.
Founded by “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker in 2016, and developed by hundreds of experts in behavior, medicine, and handling, Fear Free® has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice.
Fear Free® provides online education to veterinary professionals, pet professionals, animal welfare communities, and pet owners. Our courses are developed and written by the most respected veterinary and pet experts in the world, including boarded veterinary behaviorists, boarded veterinary anesthesiologists, pain experts, boarded veterinary internists, veterinary technicians (behavior), experts in shelter medicine, animal training, grooming, boarding, and more.
With all the false (and harmful!) pet information on the internet, Fear Free® aims to keep veterinary healthcare teams and pet professionals at the forefront as the true pet health experts. By closely listening to the needs of the profession and those of the new generation of pet owners, Fear Free® has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved.
Fear Free® Research: Grounded in Science
While clinical experience and observations play an important role in veterinary decision-making and growing our knowledge, they must be grounded in sound science. Therefore, Fear Free® training, continuing education, resources, and certification are built on a foundation of evidence-based research.
Although there is already extensive research related to the effects of fear, anxiety, and stress on the emotional and physical health of pets and how they are recognized, assessed, diagnosed, and treated, there is a continued and ongoing need for new research to validate current methods and practices, foster new learning, and advance the science of Fear Free® in support of our mission to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people that care for them.
Linda Ross is a Fear Free® Elite Certified Veterinary Professional with additional studies in Fear Free® Equine, Avian, Trainer, Pet Sitter, and Groomer specialties.