By Jennifer Merlo, DVM, CVBMC, Elite FFCP-V

I remember the exact day in my clinical career when I realized something had to change. I was twelve years out of school, working in a busy, independently owned companion animal general practice. By then, I had experienced the full range of veterinary medicine—corporate and independent clinics, general and emergency care. I had lived through the whirlwind days where time vanished in a blur, and others where each minute felt like an hour. My love for the animals and the people who cared for them was still strong, but something had shifted. I found myself wondering: Was this really what I had envisioned when I dreamed of being a veterinarian at five years old?

Appointments had become more stressful. The emotional toll was growing heavier. And worse, patients seemed increasingly reluctant to walk through our doors.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

As I walked through the treatment area one day, I saw four veterinary assistants restraining a chocolate Labrador for what was supposed to be a routine nail trim. The dog flailed in fear—eyes wide, limbs thrashing—and it struck me: he genuinely thought he was fighting for his life. I stood frozen. In that instant, a thought burned itself into my mind: There has to be a better way.

That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career.

In 2016, Dr. Marty Becker and his team launched Fear Free®, an innovative education platform with a clear mission: to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by educating and inspiring the people who care for them. In less than a decade, Fear Free has transformed the pet care industry—and reignited a sense of purpose in professionals like me. No longer are we driven by a "just get it done" mentality. Instead, we’re learning to move slower, think deeper, and prioritize the emotional wellbeing of the animals in our care.

A recent study from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences found that over 99% of dogs in the U.S. exhibit behaviors their owners find problematic—and nearly half of those (49.9%) are rooted in fear and anxiety. Fear Free’s certification programs are helping fill a long-standing gap in our industry. By addressing both physical and emotional health, we can prevent the kind of fear that leads to delayed care, behavioral issues, relinquishment—or worse.

Fear Free’s introductory programs focus on four key concepts:

1. Considerate Approach
   From our body language to the smells, sounds, and surfaces animals encounter, every aspect of their environment affects how they feel. Fear Free teaches us to be mindful of these sensory experiences and to enrich them wherever possible.

2. Gentle Control
   Instead of using harsh restraint, we learn to offer animals choice—giving them the space to say "no." With the right approach, stabilization doesn’t have to mean force.

3. Touch Gradient
   Fear Free emphasizes the importance of continuous, predictable touch. By working from least to most invasive areas during procedures, we reduce startle responses and build trust.

4. Communication
   We are taught to read fear cues, interpret body language, and—crucially—communicate what we see to pet owners. When everyone understands an animal’s emotional state, care becomes safer and more compassionate.

Fear Free continues to grow and evolve, setting a new standard for animal care worldwide. If you’re searching for a new way to approach your patients—one that nurtures not just their bodies, but their minds and hearts—I encourage you to learn more.

Visit fearfree.com or email [email protected] to start your Fear Free journey.

a.            https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/most-dogs-have-a-behavior-problem/