FREE Lunch and Learn: Implementing Cooperative Care in Veterinary Practice

Event Overview

Join Canine Principles and BSAVA PetSavers for a free CPD Lunch & Learn webinar exploring the foundations of Cooperative Care. This session will introduce practical, welfare-focused techniques that support low-stress handling, improve patient experiences, and enhance safety across your veterinary team.

What Is Cooperative Care?

Cooperative care is the practice of training and handling dogs in ways that allow them to actively participate in their own care. By encouraging clear communication between the dog and the professional, we can help canine patients feel safe, respected, and in control, even during challenging procedures.

This approach acknowledges the emotional and behavioural needs of each dog, transforming routine care from something they simply endure into something they understand and willingly engage in.

Why Does It Matter?

Implementing cooperative care in veterinary practice leads to meaningful improvements for everyone:

• Less fear, anxiety, and stress for canine patients
• Reduction in unwanted behaviours during handling
• A safer, calmer environment for staff
• More positive experiences for dogs, owners, and the whole team

Cooperative care represents more than a set of techniques. When embraced practice-wide, from reception to consult room, kennels to prep, it creates consistently low-stress experiences for patients.

It’s Not Just for Behaviourists

While behaviour professionals play an important role in training cooperative care techniques, every member of the veterinary team can learn and apply these methods. Small, thoughtful changes make a substantial difference.

Cooperative care can help your practice:

• Improve patient compliance
• Build team confidence and cohesion
• Reduce sedation requirements
• Embed a clinic-wide low-stress ethos

Who Should Attend?

• Veterinary surgeons
• Veterinary nurses & technicians
• Support and reception teams
• Students
• Anyone involved in caring for or handling dogs in a veterinary setting