Fear Free Vet Visit
Making Veterinary Visits Less Stressful for Pets
Feline veterinary visits have declined in recent years. Why? Stress – for cats and their owners. But cats and their owners aren't the only scaredy-cats. Veterinary visits can cause stress for dogs and other types of pets (and their people), too!
The good news is that you don't have to sacrifice your pet's care by skipping out on regular veterinary visits because of stress. Learn how you can help Make Your Pet's Next Vet Visit Fear Free.
Our Fear Free Certified Team Members Can Help
Dr. Emily Frey, Dr. Charis Thompson, Dr. Alyssa Bolton, Dr. Connie Carbonell, Dr. Vicky Dye plus most staff members have successfully completed Fear Free Certification.
With this program, we continually learn new ways to make your pet’s healthcare even better.
During a typical Fear Free veterinary visit, you will see our practice team using some of these techniques:
- Offering tasty treats to distract your pet and make them happy
- Providing comfortable, non-slip surfaces for your pet to stand on thus improving balance
- Encouraging pets with a happy voice, smile and treats - We never handle them roughly to get them on a table or into a cage
- Our exam tables for dog patients lift smoothly from the ground and weigh your pet. Most of our dog patients are happy to jump on them and go for a ride!
- We are considerate about your pet’s comfort when holding them or performing procedures, such as nail trims, and we don't struggle with them.
- Feeding birds right outside the cat exam room window to give kitties something interesting to watch.
- Creating a calming environment with pheromone diffusers and sprays
- Playing calming music to ease tension, promote relaxation, and reduce stressful noises
- Prescribing anti-anxiety and calming medications to give prior to their visit
- If your pet is showing excessive signs of fear, anxiety, or stress, the team may postpone the exam/procedure until a time when the pet is more relaxed - often sending home medication to give prior to the next visit.
- Sedating a patient for a scary or painful procedure.
Fear Free Forms
We see the benefits of a kind and considerate approach to pets when they are happy to come visit us and become calmer patients.
Please call us at (434) 973-9699 for more information on the Fear Free environment we provide pets.
