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Sophia Yin, DVM, MS was a veterinarian, applied animal behaviorist, author and lecturer. She was an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of animal behavior applied to pet training. Her behavior modification programs are based on the science of learning. She focused on the use of desensitization combined with classical and operant conditioning. Her approach stressed the combination of positive reinforcement, negative punishment (reward desired behaviors, remove rewards for unwanted behaviors) as well as the need to observe animals closely and be aware of how the trainer’s body language and movement affect the animal’s response.
About Dr. Sophia Yin

Sophia Yin

In 2014, Dr. Yin compiled her concepts into what was is now called the Low-Stress Handling® University. A few years later, in 2016, Dr. Marty Becker created Fear Free® Certification. This program built on the concepts that Dr. Sophia Yin was teaching in the Low-Stress Handling® University, but did not cover the depth of animal handling techniques that she did. Linda has been studying both and watching the scientific studies that back up these concepts. It isn’t just theory anymore, research shows that when you alleviate fear, stress, and anxiety (FAS) an animal learns better, behaves better, and physiologically tests better.