This live, in-person continuing education program is available through private booking and can be delivered directly at veterinary clinics, hospitals, shelters, or training facilities throughout Ontario. Designed as a mobile training program, the course allows veterinary teams to participate within their own working environment, promoting practical application and team-based learning specific to their clinical setting. The program is instructed by Julie Speyer, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SDC, Founder and Director of Canine Foundations and Provincial Court Recognized Expert Witness in Dog Assessment, Behaviour, and Training, alongside Victoria Blondin, BVM&S, MSc., BSc., Cert. SAPT, a Pet Behaviour Consultant, with over 25 years of experience in animal training, welfare, and behaviour science.

The program combines lecture-based education with guided hands-on practice, providing participants with real-world handling strategies that can be immediately integrated into daily veterinary care. The course is tailored specifically for veterinary professionals seeking to improve patient safety, reduce handling-related stress, and strengthen confidence when working with fearful, anxious, or emotionally reactive dogs in clinical environments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Building Trust, Reading Body Language, and Safely Handling Emotionally Reactive Dogs in Clinical Settings

This comprehensive 4-hour course is designed specifically for veterinary teams seeking to strengthen their skills in low-stress, safety-focused canine handling. Participants will learn how to interpret canine body language, establish rapport, and apply practical handling techniques that promote trust and cooperation, even when working with fearful, anxious, or reactive dogs.

The course emphasizes a collaborative, behaviour-based approach that supports both patient and staff safety. Through lecture and hands-on practice, attendees will develop strategies to assess a dog’s emotional state, choose the most appropriate level of restraint, and adapt standard restraint methods to suit each individual dog’s needs. This includes learning to recognize subtle signs of stress, modify body positioning to reduce tension, and employ handling strategies that prevent escalation while maintaining control.

The practical portion of the program provides guided, real-time experience working with a variety of canine temperaments. Participants will practice restraint techniques that minimize fear and frustration, as well as handling approaches tailored to dogs who are resistant to medication or who present significant handling challenges during veterinary care.

By the end of the course, participants will have the confidence and skill set to safely manage complex canine patients while fostering positive, trust-based interactions that enhance the overall veterinary experience for both animal and handler.

Topics to be covered include:

• Contributing factors influencing behaviour in veterinary settings
• Reading canine body language and early stress signals
• De-escalation and disengagement strategies for rising patient stress
• Clinical decision-making: when to proceed, modify, or postpone care
• Applying a structured clinical handling continuum for challenging patients

Cost – $155.00