RACE APPROVED: 1.0 Hours for Vet Techs & Vets

Well, that came out of nowhere! Understanding Feline & Canine Body Language
 (RACE 1.0 hrs)

This presentation will cover the basics of both canine and feline body language, focusing especially on signs of fear, stress, and anxiety in both species. It will also cover how to minimize stress in the veterinary setting while handling to keep the dog/cat calm and reduce the risk of injury to the handler. 

RACE 1.0 Hours for Vet Techs & Vets
RACE Program #: 20-1311302
RACE Provider #: 50-36598
Click on the Picture to Enjoy a Brief Course Preview

Meet the Instructor

Jocelyn Strassel, CVT, MS, CDBC 

Jocelyn is an applied animal behaviorist who has the bonus of also being a CVT! Her education began with a BA from Connecticut College, where she studied zoology, laying the foundation for her career with animals.

She quickly earned her certification as a veterinary technician and spent nearly two decades working as a CVT and manager in various areas of veterinary medicine, including Critical Care, Emergency, and other specialty services. This hands-on experience provided her with invaluable insights into animal health, which would serve as a great foundation for her understanding of animal behavior from a medical perspective. Jocelyn furthered her expertise by earning a Master of Science in Companion Animal Behavior Analysis and Counseling from the American College of Applied Science in 2015. Her thesis explored the effects of Feliway on stress behaviors in shelter cats. She also earned her certification from the IAABC as a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC).

Jocelyn transitioned to a new job with her employer, the MSPCA-Angell, as a Clinical Behaviorist. In this role, Jocelyn conducted behavioral consultations, creating behavior intervention plans for both cats and dogs, taught group dog and cat training classes (including starting a kitten kindergarten!), provided private and in-home training sessions, and provided behavior support to the MSPCA shelters.

Jocelyn’s extensive education and professional experience are complemented by hands on experience she has gotten from her own adopted reactive dog, Sugar, which has shaped her approach and deepened her understanding of the difficulties involved with owning a pet with behavior concerns. Jocelyn is an experienced lecturer who enjoys teaching people about the science of behavior, and how to improve the behavior of our pets using an ethical and scientifically sound approach. She has presented various behavior topics at numerous national and regional conferences, both in person and virtually.

She has also served as a VIP Mentor for Michael Shikashio’s Aggressive Dog Master Class in 2024, and as a volunteer advisory board member for the veterinary technology program at Massasoit Community College. Jocelyn recently moved from Boston to the Maine coast with her husband and her senior pit bull Sugar (who is enjoying a slower paced retirement!). Jocelyn loves to cook, explore new restaurants, spend time outdoors, and hike anytime she can!

Contact Jocelyn:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-strassel
Email: jocelynstrassel@gmail.com
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