Preventing Bites in the Veterinary Hospital. Presented by Shannon Riley-Coyner

CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1, IAABC 1, KPA 1

Bites can be prevented in the hospital environment when staff is trained properly in understanding body language and when they understand force free, positive techniques. Keeping our patients under threshold while in the hospital is critical and learning alternate ways to handle a fearful animal is needed to keep the staff safe

Learning Objectives:

• How the understanding of body language staff can prevent bites
• The ability to share tips with staff and others about how to help prevent bites
• Understanding of why and how some medications can help prevent bites and how they can not only help the staff, but can help the patients too.

About Your Presenter

Shannon Riley-Coyner

An internationally sought-after speaker, Shannon has been a pet lover all her life and a dog trainer for over 20 years. She has spent her life observing, caring for and training animals of all kinds. She spoke at Pet Professional Guilds Geek Week Australia in 2021, has worked in the Bird Department at Marine World Africa USA, and worked as a handler and trainer for an African Serval Cat at Safari West, a private zoo in Santa Rosa, California. She has participated in behavior studies including observations of bald eagles and addax antelope through the San Francisco Zoo and Safari West.

Her education includes a Biology Degree, specializing in Zoology from Sonoma State. She is a Registered Veterinary Technician, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Shannon created Truly Force Free Animal Training in 2015 so that anyone, anywhere could have access to force free, positive reinforcement animal training. In 2018, Shannon published “The Evolution of Dog Training” available in audio, print and Ebook.

Shannon’s dog training philosophy revolves around force free, positive reinforcement; however, her goal is for healthy happy relationships between pets and their people. Diet, exercise, environment, and training all play a significant role in achieving this goal.

Shannon spent many years as the head dog trainer for PAWS for Healing, a pet assisted therapy organization. She performed temperament testing and assisted in the training of therapy dogs who visited hospitals, veteran groups, special educational facilities, and convalescent homes. She believes strongly in the benefits of developing the human animal bond and can assist in coaching for pets and their human companions to develop that connection.

Shannon is a past President for the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians.