This episode is a collab with fellow podcaster, Marissa Martino of the Paws & Reward Podcast. I was grateful to chat with Marissa about the Fear Free movement, and the benefits and importance of assessing and scoring body language. We discuss why keeping data about our animals and the animal’s we work with emotional experience is important for their well-being and how we can do it accurately. I also share how keeping data helped me address and improve my mental health. Marissa Martino (CDBC) began her career working with canine companions after attending the Academy for Dog Trainers in 2007. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Since then, Marissa has had the pleasure of working for three different animal shelters directing their behavior departments in Colorado and California. Her latest role included offering animal shelters and rural CO communities the education and resources needed to expand their animal welfare impact. Currently, Marissa offers behavior consulting for animal shelters by helping them implement evidence-based, positive reinforcement best practices to reduce the stress and behavior concerns of the animals in their care. In addition to her animal welfare career, Marissa operates her private practice, Paws & Reward, in Boulder, CO. She offers in-person behavior consulting and online programs. She is the author of Human-Canine Behavior Connection: Building Better Relationships Through Dog Training and hosts the Paws & Reward Podcast. Paws & Reward:https://pawsandreward.com/Check out the Paws & Reward Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paws-reward-podcast/id1527938147Resources:If you are interested in implementing body language scores at your organization. I (Chirrups and Chatter) offer consulting and education services for animal welfare and veterinary organizations including veterinary hospitals and animal shelters. Consulting would include body language education, implementation of body language scores in your organization, and assessing the needs of the org, working collaboratively to create an action plan, and provide training and support throughout implementation.Chirrupsandchatter.comFearfreepets.comFearfreehappyhomes.com FAS Scale https://sunrivervet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fas_scale.pdfSupport the show via social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TailsFromRVT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TailsFromAVetTechPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailsfromavettech