Fear Free

The waiting game is over

You can expect to have a species-specific waiting area (no dogs invading your cat’s private space), be given the option of waiting in your car with your pet until you are texted or called to come in, or be taken right into the exam room.

No more sitting on slick, cold surfaces

Your pet will have a nonslip surface to stand on, such as a yoga mat or a warm, pheromone-infused towel.

Relaxation rules

Pheromone and aromatherapy diffusers emit calming substances into the air, and pet-friendly music works its calming effect on the central nervous system. (You might benefit, too.)

Eye contact is for you, not your pet

Fear Free trained veterinary team members will initially avoid eye contact with your pet and focus on you instead. This helps your pet feel less stressed because he’s not the center of attention and gives him time to check out his environment and become accustomed to the team member’s presence.

Got treats?

Bring your dog or cat in hungry because Fear Free trained veterinary team members will be handing out many small but delicious treats throughout the visit to welcome your pet, distract him from procedures, and reward him for cooperation.

Does the vet stress your pet?

If you already know your pet doesn’t enjoy a trip to the vet, has anxiety, or is aggressive, let us know ahead of time! Be sure to fill out our Fear Free visit form (Click Here) and send it to our office. We will make sure to allow extra time for your four-legged family member, and we will give you some pre-visit tips and tricks you can use at home to help prepare your pet.

Hungry is good

If medically appropriate, reduce the amount of food your pet eats before a veterinary visit. This can help prevent nausea with car travel as well as make the treats at the veterinary visit more appealing.

Treat bonanza

Bring 50 to 100 of your pet’s favorite treats but in tiny amounts. Cut them up if necessary. Your pet likes a variety of treats? Bring an assortment! Even your cat’s canned food might do the trick. Treats should be no larger than half a pea or a single lick. You might not use all of them, but it is better to have too many than not enough.

Favorite toys and a grooming brush

Bring some familiar items your pet likes. This will help your pet relax in the veterinary hospital. The veterinary team may ask you to use these items to help distract your pet during the visit.

Towel, shirt, blanket, or bed sprayed with species-specific calming pheromones or lavender

Commercially available calming pheromones can help promote relaxation. The scent of lavender has been shown to have a calming effect on dogs during car travel. An item that smells like home, such as a blanket your pet sleeps on or a T-shirt you’ve worn, can also provide comfort for your pet. For dogs, consider spraying a bandana with a calming pheromone and placing it on your dog’s neck. When you use pheromone sprays, allow the pheromone to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before exposing your pet to the sprayed item.

Provide your pet with an opportunity to relieve himself prior to leaving your home and again before you go into the clinic

Nothing escalates stress more than having a full bladder or colon and no access to a bathroom.

Budget plenty of time to avoid being rushed

If you are stressed, your pet will be too.

If your veterinarian has prescribed any anti-nausea or anti-anxiety supplements or medications, make sure to give them as prescribed.

Talk to your veterinarian if you think anti-nausea or anti-anxiety supplements or medications would help your pet have a more pleasant veterinary experience.

Make sure your pet is acclimated to a carrier, crate, or seatbelt harness and is not stressed by travel confinement.