When 64-year-old Dr. Marty Becker was a child, he recalls being taken against his will to the doctor’s office, where he was manhandled and manipulated as he endured his required shots, he says. Becker, now a veterinarian and national pet advocate, refers to these visits as “human hell care,” and says the negative emotions and associations they caused in him are very close to what many pets experience at the vet’s office.
He hopes to change that with Fear Free, an educational certification program he began in 2016 to train veterinarians and pet professionals to ease the fear, anxiety and stress of the pets in their care.
In 2016, Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, became the first in the nation to become Fear Free certified after meeting Becker on “Good Morning America,” for which he served as resident vet for 17 years.
Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free certification program, best-selling author of 25 books and resident vet on “The Dr. Oz Show,” will be at Applebrook Animal Hospital Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-4 p.m.
Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free certification program and the best-selling author of 25 books, will be at Applebrook Animal Hospital signing copies of his latest book on Saturday, Sept. 22.“I really thought it would restore a lot of my joy in my career if my patients weren’t afraid of me,” said Primm, as to why she wanted to become Fear Free certified. And she’s found that to be the case. “A lot people tell me their pet loves coming to the vet more than anything.”
She is hosting a book signing by Becker – who is the resident veterinarian on “The Doctor Oz Show” and a New York Times Bestselling author – in conjunction with her 20th anniversary celebration and open house. Becker will be signing copies of his latest book, “From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias.”