Patient bites and near bites can cause stress for staff. Now, a survey wants to identify that stress, in part to offer some solutions. And you and your staff can be part of it.

Sally J. Foote, DVM, CABC-IAABC, Low Stress Handling™ Certified and Fear Free℠ Certified, is conducting a survey, which runs from June 8 to Sept. 8, to understand the impact of patient bites and near bites on staff.

Any veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and shelter care workers who have been bitten or experienced a near bite, that is, a bite that was avoided through quick action, are being sought to complete the short survey.

Foote will present the survey results as part of a Continuing Education program, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” in Tuscola, Ill. On Sept. 11. Future plans include publication of the survey results.

Foote is the Executive Director of Cattledog Publishing, the legacy of Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, and owner of Okaw Veterinary Clinic in Tuscola, Ill.

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