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Natalie Marks

Natalie Marks

DVM, CVJ

About the Author

Fearless columnist Natalie L. Marks is an educator, consultant and practicing Chicago veterinarian. Dr. Marks is a leader within the Fear Free movement, was a member of the original Fear Free advisory board and is Fear Free Certified Elite. She passionately believes that all veterinarians should be committed to the physical and emotional health of their patients.

Written By This Author

Client Communication

Rebounding From an Honest Mistake

After panic sets in following a medical error in veterinary practice, honesty and corrective measures go a long way in preventing another mistake down the line.

Personal/Professional Development

The Daring Release of Perfectionism

Our colleagues, clients and patients are better served when we simply strive for excellence.

Patient Care

Before and After the Anesthesia Wears Off

The road to recovery is much smoother when we pay greater attention to our patients’ emotional health.

Patient Care

Smitten With Kittens

Help new cat owners fall in love with your clinic by promoting your practice’s feline features and filling clients with practical advice.

Client Communication

Streamlining the Checkout Process

Reduce anxiety on both sides of the reception desk by adjusting workflows, communicating better with clients and adopting new technology.

Patient Care

A Bird’s-Eye View of Ocular Exams

Failing to put patients at ease is a missed opportunity for clinicians trying to diagnose conditions such as KCS and uveitis.

Client Communication

The Endangered Hospital Landline

Amid a staffing shortage and heightened stress levels, your practice has modern-day options for improving the client experience.

Patient Care

Fearless Feeding

Consider these five tips to enhance nutritional recommendations and the client and human-animal bonds.

Client Communication

Take a Bite Out of Inappetence

Don’t try to solve a dietary issue over the phone. Instead, get the patient into the clinic and diagnose the underlying problem.

Patient Care

Technically Speaking, They’re Invaluable

Behind every successful veterinarian is a phenomenal and usually humble veterinary technician.

Innovation/Technology

First Impressions

Use the latest digital technology to get new pet owners to your curb or through your door and then coming back for more.

Patient Care

New Tricks for Old Dogs (and Cats)

Educate clients about metabolism changes in senior pets, especially the animal’s possible struggle to regulate body temperature.

Patient Care

Take the Fear Out of Injections

Take the extra few seconds and extra cents and use a fresh needle each time.

Patient Care

The Orthopedic Patient

An idyllic state allows for the most accurate diagnosing and treating of orthopedic patients.

Practice Management

Bond With a Pet Trainer

An outside expert can meticulously answer many of the questions your clients pose and prepare pets to be willing participants in veterinary care.

Innovation/Technology

Assisting From Afar

Telemedicine allows veterinarians to communicate with homebound clients, observe patients in a relaxed state and even suggest alterations to the pet’s environment.

Patient Care

Take the Fear Out of Dermatology

You need to get the patient into the clinic, perform diagnostic tests in a nonthreatening manner, set client expectations and schedule follow-ups.

Patient Care

Made to Order

Maximize your home-delivery platform and online pharmacy to get clients the pet behavior products you trust and sell.

Patient Care

Plan B

In the midst of crisis, turn fear and anxiety into clinic opportunities.

Patient Care

Team Up to Tackle Pain

Too many dogs and cats don’t receive needed relief. Hospital staff should use the power of observation and diagnostics to do what is best for the patient and to build client trust.

Personal/Professional Development

7 Strategies for a Fearless Start to 2020

From sedation to communication, much can be done to make a veterinary visit less stressful for pets and their owners. Don’t forget the towels.

Patient Care

The fearless journey of a homeless pet

Veterinary practices should partner with shelter and rescue organizations to ensure that animals are ready for adoption and get the lifelong medical care they deserve. A new Fear Free program can help.

Patient Care

Happy visit, happy business

Client-led, no-charge tours familiarize anxious pets with the hospital environment. Don’t forget the treats.

Personal Wellness

Trust the Process

Reducing fear and stress in patients might require changing the workplace culture. Once you have the team’s attention and buy-in, your clients will take notice.

Client Communication

Take the fear out of diagnostics

If your procedures leave pets petrified, isn’t it time to try something else?

Patient Care

Find the root cause

Fearful and anxious body language is not always behavioral in origin. In some cases, disease is the culprit.

Patient Care

Fearless Through the End

Learning to reduce anxiety and stress during hospice or euthanasia will elevate your hospital’s service and care and bring extra comfort to the patient and client.

Practice Management

Goodbye fear, hello referrals

When a cat or dog shows signs of anxiety or fear, the owner might demonstrate myriad emotions herself — from shame, embarrassment or confusion to nervousness, anxiety or even fear.

Patient Care

Lost in translation

Failure to accurately assess a patient’s body language can lead to a petrified animal, an unproductive exam and poor owner compliance.

Patient Care

The road to fearlessness

Many restraints, customized to the size of the pet and the car, are available for dogs and cats.

Patient Care

The changing face of dentistry

If the patient’s mouth is painful at meal time, the animal can develop an aversion to the food or to eating in general.

Patient Care

The fearless exam room

Newer philosophies call for avoiding high-pitched baby talk when working with a canine patient and adding a soft, lower frequency music source inside the exam room.

Patient Care

The war on feline wellness

You can start to recapture feline clients if you embrace strategies designed to reduce fear, anxiety and stress at home, in the lobby and in the exam room.

Social Media

Don’t Fear the Unknown

Market your stress-free clinical approach by capitalizing on social media options and optimizing your practice website.

Client Communication

Eliminate Fear in Pets — and in Your Clients

Simple solutions start in the veterinary clinic with the initial phone call and extend to the products offered at checkout.

Patient Care

Less Pet Stress and Anxiety Leads to Better Medicine

Satisfying a patient’s emotional needs requires buy-in from most or all of the veterinary team.

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