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Fear Free Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Veterinarian Part Time

Davis, CA · On-site

$75 - $125/hr

All about the cat HAB Certified Fear Free Certified AAFP Cat Friendly In addition to providing exceptional care to our feline patients and building supportive relationships with their families, we ...

Associate Veterinarian

Oakland, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

AAHA, working on Fear Free for practice * Compensation $130K - $170K based on experience * PTO - 120 hours (12 days) * Non-compete not required * Support staff ratio typically 4 to 1 ABOUT THE ...

Associate Veterinarian

Oakland, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

AAHA, working on Fear Free for practice * Compensation $130K - $170K based on experience * PTO - 120 hours (12 days) * Non-compete not required * Support staff ratio typically 4 to 1 ABOUT THE ...

Associate Veterinarian

Oakland, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

AAHA, working on Fear Free for practice * Compensation $130K - $170K based on experience * PTO - 120 hours (12 days) * Non-compete not required * Support staff ratio typically 4 to 1 ABOUT THE ...

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Fear Free information

See California salary details

$7

$26

$66

How much do fear free jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for fear free in California is $27.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Fear Free professional?

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 skills and qualifications are needed to be a Fear Free Certified Professional?

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 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.

What job categories do people searching Fear Free jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Fear Free jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Fear Free job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,158 per year, or $27 per hour.

Customer Service Representative with VCA Country Oaks

VCA Animal Hospitals

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


VCA Animal Hospitals rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 660 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 53 rated veterinary


Job description

Join The VCA Country Oaks Animal Hospital Team!

Location:

VCA Country Oaks Animal Hospital

4636 Fair Oaks Blvd,

Sacramento, CA 95864

VCA Country Oaks is seeking a customer service representative to join our 4 doctor AAFP and Fear Free Certified Practice! We have a unique culture in our hospital that values each person's individual skill and personality. There's something special about you and we are excited to learn more!

Pay: $18-$20

A Little Bit More About Our Practice

As mentioned before, we are a Fear Free Certified practice and maintaining this certification is very important to our team.As veterinary professionals, we understand the emotional demand of the veterinary field, and we know the impact that stress and anxiety can have on our patients, our team, and our practices.Fear Free veterinary visits have been studied and proven to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress and create an experience that is more enjoyable and safer for all involved, including patients, clients, and associates.From how our beautiful lobby is designed with separate cat & dog entrances to our treat bar catered with whipped cream and hot dogs, our hospital isdedicatedto the Fear Free initiative and it shows. We are seeking like-minded staff members who care just as deeply about Fear Free as we do to help shape the future of veterinary medicine.

  • A Fear Free certificationisnotrequired to apply, but one must be willing to become certified once hired. VCA will pay fees for the training and certification process.

Why We Need You

As the face of VCA, the Client Service Representative sets the tone for the practice as we build and maintain each customer's trust and confidence in our abilities.The CSR is the pivot around which the hospital operates and is responsible for:

Customer service functions, including: greeting visitors, answering telephones, and guiding clients and their pets to exam rooms.

Scheduling and confirming appointments.

Placing outbound calls for follow-ups and reaching out to prospective clients.

Presenting and explaining fees, including processing payments.

Recommending, selecting, and obtaining products and services, including prescriptions.

Answering questions regarding products and services, including educating clients on general animal husbandry and non-medical pet care (i.e., heartworm prevention, housebreaking, and flea & tick control).

Managing medical records, charts, reports and correspondence.

Hospital maintenance (including removal of animal waste) and ensuring that facility is neat and clean at all times-both inside and outside.

Why Join the VCA Family?

We are passionate about supporting our staff and committed to your continuing education and personal career development. VCA is a community of dedicated professionals that will encourage you to explore everything your career has to offer. At VCA we are committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity, and strive to be a place where a talented mix of people want to come, stay, and do their best work. We support a work environment where you can focus on your career, your happiness, and the patients you serve. Below are some of the many benefits of joining the VCA team!

  • Access to the people and financial resources of a large veterinary community
  • Fear Free Certification at no cost
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Career development programs
  • Opportunities to give back through strong Shelter partnerships and VCA Charities
  • Free mental health and wellness subscriptions
  • Competitive wage
  • Generous pet care discounts
  • Life, long and short term disability insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid sick time
  • Benefits

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career pageatvcacareers.com

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

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