Tails from a Vet Tech
Update
Life has been a bit chaotic lately, so I have had to hit pause on new episodes. But don’t worry—Nicholas (awesome producer) and I are planning to return with exciting new content in March! Thanks for sticking with us, and we can't wait to bring you more helpful and inspiring discussions soon!
Tails from a Vet Tech is a podcast dedicated to highlighting, educating, and advocating for veterinary, shelter, and behavior animal professionals. Our mission is to provide education, information, and dialogue that will create a supportive environment that empowers animal professionals to take care of themselves and the animals they work with. Tabitha and her amazing guests share reflections and experiences from their lives in shelter and vet med. We will have thought-provoking conversations about the ugly and beautiful moments and share success stories with the goal of supporting and inspiring others.
TFAVT is hosted by Tabitha Kucera (Elite Fear Free and Low Stress Handling RVT, VTS (Behavior), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) In addition to doing this podcast Tabitha also owns her own business, Chirrups and Chatter, and loves doing speaking engagements all around the world!
Tails from a Vet Tech
The Fear Free Movement and Why It Matters featuring Marissa Martino (CDBC)
This episode is a collab with fellow podcaster, Marissa Martino of the Paws & Reward Podcast.
I was grateful to chat with Marissa about the Fear Free movement, and the benefits and importance of assessing and scoring body language. We discuss why keeping data about our animals and the animal’s we work with emotional experience is important for their well-being and how we can do it accurately. I also share how keeping data helped me address and improve my mental health.
Marissa Martino (CDBC) began her career working with canine companions after attending the Academy for Dog Trainers in 2007. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Since then, Marissa has had the pleasure of working for three different animal shelters directing their behavior departments in Colorado and California. Her latest role included offering animal shelters and rural CO communities the education and resources needed to expand their animal welfare impact.
Currently, Marissa offers behavior consulting for animal shelters by helping them implement evidence-based, positive reinforcement best practices to reduce the stress and behavior concerns of the animals in their care. In addition to her animal welfare career, Marissa operates her private practice, Paws & Reward, in Boulder, CO. She offers in-person behavior consulting and online programs. She is the author of Human-Canine Behavior Connection: Building Better Relationships Through Dog Training and hosts the Paws & Reward Podcast.
Paws & Reward:
https://pawsandreward.com/
Check out the Paws & Reward Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paws-reward-podcast/id1527938147
Resources:
If you are interested in implementing body language scores at your organization. I (Chirrups and Chatter) offer consulting and education services for animal welfare and veterinary organizations including veterinary hospitals and animal shelters.
Consulting would include body language education, implementation of body language scores in your organization, and assessing the needs of the org, working collaboratively to create an action plan, and provide training and support throughout implementation.
- Chirrupsandchatter.com
- Fearfreepets.com
- Fearfreehappyhomes.com
- FAS Scale https://sunrivervet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fas_scale.pdf
Support Tabitha's work via social media:
- TikTok: @behaviorvettech
- Facebook and Instagram
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