American Association of Feline Practitioners
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 all individuals within the veterinary community.
About the Certificate
The Cat Friendly Certificate Program aims to build your knowledge, skills, and best in-clinic practices for feline medicine based on your individual role within a practice. The program is broken into three certificate categories for a Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV), Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP), and Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA).
It consists of up to nine modules that explore a variety of feline-specific topics uniquely designed around your role in the veterinary practice. Completing this program will allow you to:
- 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.
The Cat Friendly Certificate Program is the winner of both the 2021 ASAE Gold Circle Award and the 2021 Best in Business Award from Veterinary Medical Association Executives.
Certificate Programs (Available in English and Spanish)
The Cat Friendly 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.
+ Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV)
- Intended only for veterinarians
- 9 Modules and 5 CE hours
- Members: $119
- Non-Members: $229
- Students/Faculty: $59.50
- Discount code required. Please reference FAQs
- Please reference FAQs
+ Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP)
- Intended for technicians/nurses and others that work directly with cats
- 7 Modules and 3.5 CE hours
- Members: $79
- Non-Members $129
- Students/Faculty: $39.50
- Discount code required. Please reference FAQs
- Please reference FAQs
+ Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA)
- Intended for practice team members including front office, assistants, managers, and others in the veterinary industry
- 4 Modules and 2 CE hours
- Members: $39
- Non-Members $69
- Students/Faculty: $19.50
- Discount code required. Please reference FAQs
- Please reference FAQs
Join your peers who have helped improve the welfare of cats by participating in the Cat Friendly Certificate Program!
Ready to Get Started?
+ Who are these certificates for?
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.
+ Do you have to be a Cat Friendly Practice® to enroll in the Certificate Program?
No. You do not have to be a Cat Friendly Practice® to enroll. 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 onboard staff, offer enhanced training, and provide well-rounded Cat Friendly information.
+ Are there discounts for multiple individuals of a practice that wish to sign up for a certificate program?
- 3-4 individuals: 10% off each
- 5-7 individuals: 15% off each
- 8-12 individuals: 20% off each
- 13-19 individuals: 25% off each
- 20-34 individuals: 30% off each
- 35-49 individuals: 35% off each
- 50 or more individuals: email [email protected] for special pricing
+ Are there discounts available for students and faculty?
Yes! Veterinary students and faculty can receive a 50% discount off of the price of the Certificate program by using one of the discount codes below. Please apply the appropriate coupon for the Certificate Program you are registering for during checkout.
- Cat Friendly Veterinarian promo code: CFV50M
- Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional promo code: CFVP50M
- Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate promo code: CFVA50M
We recommend veterinary students who will be working with cats in a practice setting take the Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional certificate level, and all others take the Cat Friendly Advocate certificate.
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 rates are only valid for current veterinary students and faculty with school/university email addresses. Validation is required.
+ Which course should I take?
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.
+ Why should I get this certificate?
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.
+ How can I put my certificate to use right away?
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.
+ How is this certificate different?
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.
+ How many credits can I earn?
The program has been approved for 5 credits for CFV, 3.5 credits for CFVP, and 2 for CFVA.
+ Is this program RACE approved?
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
+ What is the process to obtain certificate?
- Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV) – Modules 1-9
- Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional (CFVP) – Modules 1-7
- Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA) – Modules 1-4
+ Is there an annual fee or renewal fee?
No. The Cat Friendly 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.
+ What is the Cat Friendly connection?
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):