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Fear Free Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Many hospitals are Fear Free Certified -- but at PetVet365, Fear Free isn't a badge, it's our foundation . From the way our hospitals are designed, to how we train and handle every patient ...

Many hospitals are Fear Free Certified -- but at PetVet365, Fear Free isn't a badge, it's our foundation . From the way our hospitals are designed, to how we train and handle every patient ...

Many hospitals are Fear Free Certified -- but at PetVet365, Fear Free isn't a badge, it's our foundation . From the way our hospitals are designed, to how we train and handle every patient ...

At PetVet365, Fear Free isn't a check-the-box certification -- it's who we are. Think of it as Fear Free on steroids : From hospital design to daily protocols, every detail is built around lowering ...

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Fear Free information

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$7

$27

$67

How much do fear free jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for fear free in the United States is $27.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fear Free Certified Professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fear Free Certified Professional, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, stress signals, and low-stress handling techniques, typically supported by completion of the Fear Free certification program. Familiarity with animal restraint tools, calming aids, and practice management software is important. Strong observational skills, patience, and excellent communication with both animals and their owners help set you apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for reducing animal stress, improving patient outcomes, and creating a positive veterinary experience.

How does a Fear Free Certified Professional collaborate with veterinary teams to reduce patient stress during visits?

Fear Free Certified Professionals work closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff to implement strategies that minimize anxiety and stress in animal patients. This often includes pre-visit planning, modifying handling techniques, and creating a calming environment in the clinic. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as all staff members must be aligned on protocols to ensure a consistent Fear Free experience. By sharing observations and adapting approaches, the team can better support both the pets and their owners, leading to more positive outcomes and smoother appointments.

What are Fear Free professionals?

Fear Free professionals are individuals in the veterinary and pet care industry who are certified in methods designed to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in animals during veterinary visits and other interactions. They use specific techniques and approaches to create a more positive and comfortable experience for pets and their owners. Fear Free certification can be earned by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pet groomers, trainers, and other pet care staff. The goal is to improve animal well-being and make veterinary care less stressful for everyone involved.

What is the difference between Fear Free vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectFear Free
Credentials/CertificationsCertification programs focus on animal behavior, handling, and reducing fear, stress, and anxiety in pets
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and pet care facilities, emphasizing low-stress handling
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by veterinary practices, pet trainers, and animal shelters to improve animal welfare
Common Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding pet care approaches, certifications, and roles in veterinary settings

Veterinary Technicians assist in medical procedures, diagnostics, and patient care in veterinary clinics. While they focus on medical tasks, Fear Free emphasizes reducing animal stress and improving welfare through specialized training. Both roles often work together in veterinary settings, but Fear Free certification enhances a technician's ability to handle animals compassionately and reduce fear during treatments.

More about Fear Free jobs
What cities are hiring for Fear Free jobs? Cities with the most Fear Free job openings:
What states have the most Fear Free jobs? States with the most job openings for Fear Free jobs include:
Infographic showing various Fear Free job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,903 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Associate DVM for Fear Free Certified Practice

The Gentle Vet

Akron, OH

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Love your career again by joining our privately owned, small animal Fear Free Certified Practice!

Do you sometimes find yourself devastated and thinking that you've made a mistake by becoming a DVM? That the joy and satisfaction of dedicating your life to helping and caring for animals has been quashed by your workplace environment, interaction with your patients, and/or clientele?

Toxicity amongst staff and traumatizing interactions with patients and clients can very understandably cause you to question your career choice.

If you chose this profession because you love animals, and have always had the ability to empathize with how they and their caregivers feel, you belong and deserve to be with like minded people!


What Fear Free Actually Is

Many people have the misconception that Fear Free techniques require cooperative care from the patients, and that risk for injury is much higher. This is VERY much not the case!

We do not expect nor require our patients to willingly present themselves for painful or scary stimuli, and the implementation of gentle controlled handling with positive distractions rather than force and restraint results in MUCH safer interactions with your patients (for both the staff and the animal!).

What Fear Free does entail is earning the trust of your patient by:

1) Simply recognizing, acknowledging, and respecting what the patient is communicating with their body language

2) Utilizing a variety of very simple, easy, and small adjustments that make a HUGE difference in their emotional and physical comfort (which equals successful treatment and immense job satisfaction)

3) Weighing wants vs needs, and providing client education as well as the safety and kindness of in-clinic sedation when necessary

What We Offer:

  • A warm, supportive, and genuinely caring environment where your compassion and talents are revered.

  • An actual work-life balance with no weekends, holidays, or on call.

  • Professional satisfaction, growth, and development

  • Comprehensive benefits, including:

-401(k) safe harbor match

-Medical, vision, and dental insurance

-Generous PTO

-CE allowance and licensure costs covered

-Employee discount

  • Negotiable salary (in consonance with experience and historical production records). Starting at $120k.

  • Freedom from traditional and traumatizing services including:

    -Rough/heavy physical restraint of the patients, and negative reinforcement techniques

    -Declawing

    -Ear Cropping

    -Dewclaw removal (unless medically warranted)

    -Tail Docking

  • Access to and implementation of multimodal analgesia

  • Practice-wide high quality medicine protocols

  • Clients that actually want, seek out, and are immensely thankful for your care

Our Facility:

  • Full GP Services: high quality vaccines & pharmacy, comprehensive in-house IDEXX laboratory (4dx & proBNP snaps with readers, Procyte Dx CBC, Catalyst One Chemistry, Sedivue Dx U/A, InVue Dx Cytology/Blood Morphology), digital radiography with radiologist review, comprehensive vitals/surgical monitors, brand new high and low speed dental unit with digital dental radiography, and survey ultrasound.

  • Surgical suite, dental suite, and euthanasia suite separate from appointments

  • Soothing and calming setting, surroundings, and environment

  • Longer appointment times and lunch break

  • Friendly and hilarious support staff


Our Area

Not from/familiar with Akron & surrounding cities?

From the beautiful outdoors to the fun and excitement of the big city, our area is actually quite the hidden gem!

  • For the outdoorsy - We have truly breathtaking nature and landscapes along with a vast array of parks that make for outstanding hiking, camping, and all kinds of outdoor activities.

  • Love Music? - Blossom Music Center is our unique pavilion style outdoor concert venue that regularly features big name bands/artists

  • Social Butterfly? - Cleveland's big city life and all it has to offer is not far away - just a 30-45 minute drive

Plus: Great school districts, affordable housing, and genuinely caring communities!

For more about our wonderful township, go to the website: Bath Township

Requirements:

  • A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary school

  • A valid veterinary license to practice in the state of Ohio

  • A patient, understanding, and kind approach to animals (regardless of their behavior)

  • Ability to accurately and correctly interpret body language in dogs and cats, as well as act and adjust accordingly

  • Comfortable with using warranted pharmaceuticals for both in-clinic sedation and pre-visit preparation

  • Comfortable performing appropriate treatments/procedures in the presence of clients

  • General willingness to adapt to positive changes

  • Ability to participate in, and maintain a toxic free workplace

  • Fear Free Professional Certification is preferred, but not required. If selected, certification will be provided and mandatory.

Why Chose Us?

After years of service at a variety of locations, we learned a lot about areas of the profession that have room for improvement.

Here at The Gentle Vet, we believe that mental health comes first. For everyone.

As we all have experienced, the emotional impact that veterinary medicine has for those who have dedicated their lives to it is immense. We believe that all veterinary professionals should be kind and supportive of one another.

Our toxicity free policy applies to all staff, AND clients. No more dreading going to work, or catering to toxic clients in order to maintain their business.

The emotional and physical comfort of our patients, staff, and clients is our priority. We are able to provide this with our calming environment, as well as our universal and consistent Fear Free mentality and approach.

If you feel the same way, please apply! We'd love to meet you!