Alyssa N. Cary, LVT, RVT 
Updated January 2025

Licensing and Certifications 
 
•    Maryland RVT License #VT-01010 
•    Virginia LVT License #0302002564 
•    Elite Fear Free Certified Professional (Veterinary), 2016 
•    Low Stress Handling Certified Silver, 2020 
•    Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional, 2021 
•    Fear Free Expert (Speakers Bureau, Practice Certification Consultant, Coach), 2021 

Formal Education 
 

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, M.S. Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare 

  • April 2022 - Present (coursework complete, research in progress) 

  • GPA: 4.0 

• Northern Virginia Community College, A.A.S. Veterinary Technology 

  • August 2012 – May 2015 

  • Magna Cum Laude 

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, B.S. Wildlife Science 

  • August 2007 – May 2011 

  • Minors in Biology, Forestry, and Natural Resources Recreation 

 

Behavior-related Continuing Education ​

 

• “Fearful vs. Fear Free,” Dr. Marty Becker, CVC (2016)

• “Behavioral treatments simplified: Essential guide for the veterinarian and technician,” Dr. Lisa Radosta, dvm360 Fetch Conference (2018) 

• Puppy Start Right Preschool for Instructors (2018)

• Aggression in Dogs Conference (2020) 

• Update on the Management of Stress-Associated Illnesses in Cats (webinar), 2021 

• The Difference a Measure Makes: Using Science to Decipher Your Animal’s Behavior, 2022 

• Clinical Animal Behavior Conference (2022, 2024) 

• Western Veterinary Conference (10 hours behavior CE), 2023 

• Animal Behavior Society Annual Meeting (2023, 2024)

• Veterinary Behavior Symposium (2024) 

Professional Memberships 
 

• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America 

• Virginia Association of Licensed Veterinary Technicians 

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior 

• Animal Behavior Society 

• Feline Veterinary Medical Association (formerly AAFP)

                             
Formal Speaking Events 
 

• Fear Free and Team Building for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers, In-person event for 4 Pets Sake, 2020 

• Fear Free 101 and Application of Concepts, Webinar presented on several occasions 

• Mindset Matters, Webinar for Vets Best Friend, 2022 

• Administering Medications to Pets Using Fear Free Strategies, Mini-course for Pet Sitters International, 2022 

• Cat Behavior Myths and Truths, Hybrid event for Wag Workshops, 2022 

• Don’t Fear The Fireworks, Webinar for Fear Free, 2023 

• Fear Free: Implementing Core Concepts and Strategic Restraint, Webinar for VALVT, 2024

• Fear Free and Low Stress Handling, Wet Lab for VALVT, 2024

• Gentle Control: The Art of Strategic Handling, Webinar for Fear Free, 2024 

Veterinary and Pet Care Experience 
 
Fear Free, LLC

February 2025 - Present
Positions Held: Certification Implementation Coordinator

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Clarendon Animal Care

April 2020 – January 2025 
Positions Held: Licensed Veterinary Technician, Inventory Manager, Treatment Manager 
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: General small animal practice duties of the typical well-utilized LVT; Ordering, receiving, tracking, organizing, and otherwise managing inventory; Leading and helping to manage the treatment team; Fear Free Champion and coordinator for Practice Certification effort; Training and mentoring LVT students, new LVTs, and veterinary assistants. Provided behavior consulting and desensitization/counterconditioning services for clients/patients. 

 

Positive Paws Pet Services

September 2018 – April 2020 
Positions Held: Sole Proprietorship 
My mission with Positive Paws was to enrich the lives of pets by providing positive experiences through personalized care, exercise, and training. I primarily provided mid-day dog walks and pet sitting services, but also offered behavior consulting, basic grooming, and assistance with subcutaneous fluids and other at-home medical care clients needed assistance providing for their pets under the direction of a veterinarian. 

Fort Hunt Animal Hospital

September 2011 – July 2019 
Positions Held: Veterinary Assistant, LVT Student, LVT, Practice Manager 
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: General small animal practice duties of the typical LVT; Hiring and managing a team of approximately 20; Managing online presence and marketing; Preparing weekly, monthly, yearly, and custom reports; Equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and quality control; grooming (nail trims, wing trims, bathing, clipping/shaving). Also coordinated and managed a major hospital and boarding facility expansion/renovation project. 

 

Wildlife Technician Field Work Experience (Seasonal Positions) 
 
Cornell University

Summer 2011, 2012 
Team Leader for graduate study of black bear movement and genetics in New York. Primary duties and responsibilities included setting and checking snares and culvert traps, chemically immobilizing trapped animals, collecting hair, fat, blood, and tooth samples, monitoring vitals, and training and supervising technicians in trapping, sample collection and monitoring techniques. Also responsible for controlled drugs and appropriate logs and paperwork. 
                             
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Summer 2010 
Team Leader for brown bear population study on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Primary duties and responsibilities included using topographic maps, GPS, and general knowledge of brown bear behavior and movement to determine locations for hair snare sites, setting up and breaking down barbed wire hair snare sites, collecting and preparing samples for submission to DNA analysis lab, assisting with navigation to sites (all travel was by helicopter), co-managing interns with one other team leader, and preparing reports for the supervisory biologist. 

Virginia Tech

Summer 2009 
Black bear technician for black bear movement study in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. Primary duties and responsibilities included setting and checking culvert traps, chemically immobilizing trapped animals, collecting hair, fat, blood, and tooth samples, and monitoring vitals. Trained for position as volunteer for on-campus studies of captive black bears, 2007-8 and 2008-9. Also completed 16-hour course titled Chemical Immobilization of Animals in February 2009.