Fear Free Certification for Penn Foster Vet Tech Students
Fear Free certification can be a helpful credential on any vet tech resume. In this blog, learn more about what Fear Free certification is and how to get it as a student.
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Besides getting your credentials as a vet tech, another helpful certification to add to your resume is the Fear Free certification. As a current Penn Foster vet tech student, you’ll have access to Fear Free membership and training at a discounted rate. In this blog, we’ll talk more about what Fear Free certification is, why it’s helpful, and how to get it!
What is Fear Free certification?
Fear Free is a way to approach vet visits and exams in a way that can help reduce fear and anxiety for pets, making it a better experience for animals, their humans, and veterinary professionals. Becoming Fear Free certified as a veterinary technician can add an additional and valued skill to your resume, while also helping you learn techniques that can make working with scared and anxious animals an easier process.
Through the Fear Free program, you’ll learn how to recognize and reduce or remove things that may trigger anxiety for pets, how to ensure pets remain calm when owners transport them to the veterinary office and during exams, and special handling techniques that can help pets feel more comfortable during their veterinary visits.
Read more: 6 Things No One Tells You About Being a Vet Tech
How long does Fear Free certification take?
Fear Free training is completed entirely online and can take as few as a handful of hours to complete. It involves completing 8 modules that cover the different aspects of Fear Free procedures. At the end of each module, you’ll take a quiz reviewing what you learned, and you’ll need to get an 80% or better on each quiz to move forward.
Once you register for the online certification, you’ll have a full year to complete all the modules if you need that time. This allows you to go through the training at your own pace – just like your Penn Foster program!
Read more: Becoming a Vet Tech: Why Vet Tech Certification and Title Protection Matter
Why should I get Fear Free certified as a vet tech?
Vet techs should consider getting Fear Free certified for several reasons, including improved patient care and potential career advantages.
- Improved safety for patients and staff
Fear Free training can help technicians recognize early signs of stress and anxiety in animals. By intervening before fear escalates, technicians can reduce the risk of bites, scratches, and other injuries, while minimizing the need for forceful restraint. - Better patient outcomes
Stress can interfere with accurate diagnostics and treatment. Animals experiencing fear may have elevated vital signs or resist exams, making care more difficult. A calmer patient allows for more precise assessments and more effective treatment. - More efficient workflows
Although Fear Free techniques may seem like additional steps, they often lead to smoother appointments. With less time spent managing distressed animals, veterinary teams can work more efficiently in a low-stress environment. - Stronger client relationships
Pet owners are more likely to trust clinics that prioritize their animal’s comfort. Fear Free practices can improve client satisfaction, encourage return visits, and increase compliance with treatment recommendations. - Enhanced career opportunities
As more veterinary practices adopt low-stress handling methods, Fear Free certification can help technicians stand out to employers. It demonstrates a commitment to patient-centered care and continued professional development. - Increased job satisfaction
Working with calmer animals can make daily tasks less stressful and more rewarding. Many veterinary technicians find that Fear Free principles lead to more positive interactions and a more fulfilling work experience overall.
Read more: Vet Assistant to Vet Tech: Advancing Your Career as a Working Parent
Is Fear Free certification worth it?
Fear Free certification is definitely worth it! Earning Fear Free certification isn’t a requirement to work as a veterinary professional, but it’s a great skill to add to your resume to help you stand out when you’re applying for vet tech jobs. Even better, you’ll know that you’re looking after a patient’s physical and emotional well-being when you use your Fear Free skills.
The benefits of signing up for the Fear Free Academia Membership include:
- Access to Fear Free for Humans and Alone in the Wilderness courses
- Digital educational resources like client communication handouts, fear, anxiety and stress assets, questionnaires, and more
- Access to an exclusive, members-only Facebook group to share advice and connect with other Fear Free professionals
- Discounts on services and products that align with Fear Free values
In order to keep your certification active once you’ve earned it, you’ll have to renew your certification every 3 years. This can involve a yearly renewal fee and completing 4 hours of Fear Free continuing education each year. You can take additional Fear Free courses online, attend a Fear Free workshop, or complete a Fear Free track at any of the annual veterinary conferences.
Read more: How to Become Certified as a Vet Tech
How to sign up for Fear Free as a Penn Foster student
As a Penn Foster student, you can qualify for the Academia Membership, which offers access to Fear Free courses and other resources at a discounted price. This membership is only available to students and faculty of veterinary schools, veterinary technician/nurse schools, veterinary assistant schools, vocational high schools focused on veterinary care, and veterinary teaching hospitals.
As of May 2026, it costs $49 for a 1-year membership. As part of the process to purchase the membership and get started, you’ll need to show proof of your enrollment in Penn Foster’s Vet Tech Program. This could be a screenshot of your classes, your enrollment agreement, or a copy of your student ID.
This membership is only available for one year, so you won’t be able to renew it at this level once your year is up. However, you’ll be able to maintain a membership through something like the Veterinary Professional Membership, which is $149.
Read more: How Online Vet Tech School Helped Madison Take Control of Her Future
Connect with other Penn Foster Veterinary Technician students
To learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified as a Penn Foster vet tech student, or to just join a network of people who are passionate about being a vet tech and dedicated to the well-being of pets, you can connect with other vet tech students, alumni, and faculty through our Vet Tech Facebook Group!
Interested in enrolling in the online Veterinary Technician Degree? You can enroll online or work with our Admissions Specialists to get started – just call us at 1-800-275-4410.
