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American Association of Feline Practitioners

Veterinary professionals passionate about the care of cats

Cat Friendly Certificate Program

At the AAFP, we strive to provide you with tools to support the care you provide to cats. Building on the philosophy of our Cat Friendly Practice® Program, we now offer the Cat Friendly Certificate Program for individuals within the veterinary community. By completing the certificate program, you will gain the knowledge you need to enhance your understanding of cats and increase feline standards of care. Whether you are a practicing veterinarian looking to grow your skill set, or a front office manager who would like to create a more feline-friendly atmosphere, the program offers the guidance you need to provide better feline-focused care to clients and patients. This information can be utilized throughout your career and is transferrable to future positions.

About the Certificate

Cat Friendly Certificate Program was designed based on the need for specific feline-focused care and continuing education. The program aims to build your knowledge, skills, and best in-clinic practices for feline medicine based on your individual role within a practice. Broken into three certificate categories, the program consists of uniquely designed certificates for a Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV), Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP), and Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA).

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program explores a variety of feline-specific topics across nine unique modules. Professionals will go through a series of online modules based on their role in the veterinary practice. The benefits of completing this program will allow you to:

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  • Enhance your ability to fulfill client and patient needs.
  • Build confidence in working with cats.
  • Demonstrate a personal commitment to feline health.
  • Help clinics develop talent and understanding of cats.
  • Reinforce the important role feline knowledge and understanding plays in the practice.
  • Increase ability to showcase feline expertise while contributing to professional development efforts.
  • Offer transferable tools and knowledge.

You do not need to be a Cat Friendly Practice® to enroll in the certificate program. Obtaining the certificate will help you learn more about being cat friendly and how to start implementing strategies right away. For our current Cat Friendly Practices®, the certificate will contribute to your continued learning and offer a new way to on-board staff, offer enhanced training, and provide well-rounded cat friendly information.

Certificate Programs

The Cat Friendly Veterinarian Certificate Program is a one-time enrollment fee and does not need to be renewed. All certificate courses must be completed within 90 days of enrollment.

CFV

Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV)

    • Members: $119
    • Non-Members: $229
    • Intended only for veterinarians 
    • 9 Modules and 5 CE hours

>> Learn More <<

 

CFVP

Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP)

    • Members: $79
    • Non-Members $129
    • Intended for technicians/nurses and others that work directly with cats
    • 7 Modules and 3.5 CE hours

>> Learn More <<

 

CFVA

Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA)

    • Members: $39
    • Non-Members $69
    • Intended for practice team members including front office, assistants, managers, and others in the veterinary industry
    • 4 Modules and 2 CE hours

>> Learn More <<

 

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FAQ

The Cat Friendly Certificate is for anyone in the veterinary profession who sees cats in practice or has an interest in feline behavior, medicine, and welfare. The program is offered as an individual certificate to AAFP members and non-members. The certificate helps you stand out, stay current, and make an impression on clients that lasts.

Yes! There are multi-individual discounts available starting at three individuals. The individuals may enroll in any one of the three Certificate levels. The discount tiers are:
  • 3-4 individuals: 10% off each
  • 5-7 individuals: 15% off each
  • 8-12 individuals: 20% off each
  • 13-19 individuals: 25% off each
If you would like to take advantage of a discount, please have only ONE person complete the Cat Friendly Certificate Program Multi-Individual Discount form found HERE. After you submit the form, it will then be submitted to AAFP headquarters for review. Once approved, the appropriate discount code will be emailed to the individual designated on the form. Please disseminate the discount code to the individuals that are part of your multi-individual discount. They will apply the code upon check out of their certificate program. Only one discount may apply.

Yes! We invite all students and faculty to sign up for 50% off enrollment rates using one of the two discount codes below.

  • Student promo code: CertStudent
  • Faculty promo code: FacultyCert

You will have 90 days to complete the modules, which includes watching each module, taking a quiz, and earning a passing score of 80% or greater, in order to earn your certificate. Reduced rate of enrollment is valid for students with .edu email addresses ONLY. Validation is required.

We recommend students that have direct experience in working with cats in a practice setting to take the Veterinary Professional Certificate level, and all others take the Advocate level.

All three programs share the same content in modules 1-4. The Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional program delivers 3 additional modules that delve into Cat Care at Home, Life Care for the Cat, and Feline Medicine. The Cat Friendly Veterinarian Program goes even further adding 2 more modules that tackle advanced disease specific topics.

Since these programs were built modularly, there is no need to take more than one. Choose the one that best suits your role in the practice. The Cat Friendly Advocate is intended for practice team members, including front office, assistants, and managers. The Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional program should be taken by technicians and nurses. The Cat Friendly Veterinarian program is designed for veterinarians.

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program is a one-time course that focuses on feline-specific skills and knowledge and offers practical tools for each veterinary staff member. It reinforces your commitment to feline medicine and practice while showcasing your confidence to feline owners. It gives you the tools to properly educate your clients and display your commitment to feline medicine.

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program can make an immediate impact in the way in which you interact with cats and owners! Whether you are a Cat Friendly Practice®, in the process to become one, or are not sure if you qualify for the Cat Friendly Practice Program, you can obtain the certificate and learn more about how to become cat friendly and start implementing strategies right away. Front office staff will be able to use their CFVA certificate and take a fresh look at the administrative, waiting room, and client/patient experience. Technicians and nurses can use the tools gained in their CFVP certificate to refine their skills in handling and interacting with their cats and clients. Veterinarians will be able to showcase their in-depth feline knowledge and skills on feline health care.

This Certificate Program is ALL about cats and thus the content is able to go into more depth for feline-specific care and considerations. Many feline experts have contributed to the Program which encompasses a comprehensive collection of the cat friendly tools, resources, and education the AAFP has built over the years. The Cat Friendly Certificate program was created with both professional education and flexibility in mind. The certificate does not expire and will remain with you throughout your career to help you stand out, showcase your interest in feline care, and make an impression. Additionally, more content may be added over time which will be shared with you.

The program has been approved for 5 credits for CFV, 3.5 credits for CFVP, and 2 for CFVA.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) RACE committee has approved this program as meeting the Standards adopted by the AAVSB. This program will be included on the AAVSB’s Website as program number 249-44194. Please contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org should you have any comments/concerns regarding this program’s validity or relevancy to the veterinary profession OR contact the AAFP Headquarters for further information at info@catvets.com.

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program consists of nine core modules. Participants will engage in a number of these modules based on their role in the veterinary practice:
  • Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV) – Modules 1-9
  • Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP) – Modules 1-7
  • Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA) – Modules 1-4
Each module will include a video presentation, followed by a quiz. Supplemental resources are also available for reference. With a passing score of 80% or greater you complete the module and may move on. You may take the quiz as often as you wish. Once all modules are completed, you will earn your certificate which will be available along with your badge and additional resources by logging in at catvets.com/certificateprogram.

Over the years, the Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP) program has furnished veterinary professionals with the resources to elevate the standard of care provided to cats, and more specifically, to reduce the stress of veterinary visits for cats, their caregivers, and the entire veterinary team. CFPs receive feline-focused education and other benefits, such as continuing education and marketing support. The CFP program enhances other veterinary programs because the content can be more in-depth because it is feline-specific – just about cats! In launching the new Cat Friendly Certificate programs, the AAFP will broaden the Cat Friendly program to all staff and expand its reach in order to greatly enhance feline healthcare.

Acknowledgements

The AAFP gratefully acknowledges the tireless efforts and contributions provided by Kelly St. Denis, DVM, DABVP (Feline) to help make this program come to fruition. We also deeply appreciate the assistance, review, and contribution of specific modules by Ilona Rodan, DVM, DABVP (Feline) and Apryl Steele, DVM.

We thank the following for their help in reviewing and providing input for portions of the program (listed alphabetically):

  • Ms. Alicia Artman
  • Dr. Hazel Carney
  • Dr. Audrey Cook
  • Dr. Lauren Demos
  • Dr. Robin Downing
  • Ms. Alison Gottlieb
  • Dr. Ed Kanara
  • Dr. Diana Lafer
  • Dr. Michael Lappin
  • Dr. Susan Little
  • Dr. Cathy Lund
  • Dr. Michelle Meyer
  • Dr. Kathleen Neumann
  • Dr. Jessica Quimby
  • Dr. Michael Ray
  • Dr. Renee Rucinsky
  • Dr. Patricia Shea
  • Dr. Andrew Sparkes
  • Dr. Eliza Sundahl
  • Dr. Dana Tatman-Lilly
  • Dr. Cynthia Ward
  • Dr. Mark Westman
 Photo credits are contained within the slides of the modules.