Veterinarians and technicians: Team up to treat behavior issues
You don't have to know everything! When you play to each other's strengths, you can ease pets' fears more effectively.
Veterinarians, are you hesitant to suggest desensitizing and counterconditioning measures in pets who have, for example, an extreme fear of storms? And are you hesitant because you simply don't know the methods?
If so, Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB, has a suggestion for you: Recognize the disorder, assess it and diagnose it, then hand the case off to a technician trained in these methodologies.
More storm resources
Canine noise aversion: The sound and the worry.
Noise reactivities and phobias in dogs: Behavior modification strategies.
Client handout: Pet scares in summer time.
"The veterinarian doesn't have to actually know the procedure of desensitization and counterconditioning, which is what scares the life out of vets," she says.
Whew. Now that that's off your plate, where do interested technicians get that training? Dr. Radosta has three suggestions:
- The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. "Hang out with like-minded people," she says.
- The Fear Free Toolbox. This resource offers loads of ideas and information.
- From Fearful to Fear Free. That's the book Dr. Radosta co-authored with Mikkel Becker, Dr. Wailani Sung and Fear Free pioneer Dr. Marty Becker.
Watch the video to hear more.
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