A calmer vet visit for your pet.
At VetDERM Clinic we use a Fear Free approach with every pet, caring for their emotional wellbeing as well as their skin and ears.
Care for body and mind
Nervous behaviour is not always obvious.
Fear Free is a certification program for veterinary professionals that uses methods and tools to minimize fear, anxiety and stress in pets.
The disruption to your pet’s normal routine, strange smells, the noises of other animals and handling by veterinary staff can all contribute to fearful, anxious or stressed behaviour. Even behaviour we think of as excitement — jumping, barking or impatiently munching on treats — can be a sign of nervousness.
The goal of Fear Free, and of everyone who practices it, is to give your pet a veterinary experience that is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Signs your pet may be nervous
- Jumping or restlessness
- Barking or vocalizing
- Impatiently munching on treats
- Pulling away from handling
Where stress can build up
- Ear examinations and sampling
- Skin sampling and testing
- Repeat follow-up visits
- Daily treatment at home
Skin and ear care needs a lot of trust.
Fear Free practices are especially important in dermatology. Many skin and ear conditions are irritating or even painful, and many need long-term or lifelong care at home. During the examination, sensitive areas such as the ears are examined and sampled to assess your pet’s condition — which can cause discomfort and add to fear, anxiety and stress.
Over time, that stress can make vet visits and treatment at home increasingly difficult for pets and their families. Fear Free practices help prevent those difficulties, and where treatment is already a struggle, we can use training techniques such as counter-conditioning and desensitization to help your pet become more comfortable.
A Fear Free visit may take a little longer.
A Fear Free visit may run at a slower pace than an average vet visit. This gives your pet time to settle into the clinic and get to know the VetDERM team — and gives us time to assess your pet and decide on the handling that will work best for them.
- Time to settle in before the examination
- Handling adapted to your pet
- Pre-visit calming support or sedation, if your pet needs it
- Appointments split into more than one visit where helpful
Using Fear Free at home.
Fear Free practices can be used at home with your pet, too. Training, desensitization and positive reinforcement strengthen the bond you share with your pet and help treatment at home go more smoothly.
Ask the VetDERM team how we can help you use Fear Free techniques with your pet.
Fear Free Happy Homes
Free resources for pet owners from the Fear Free organization, covering training, handling and low-stress care at home.
A little preparation helps, too.
Fasting, bathing and a full history all make the first consultation calmer and more useful.
Worried about how your pet will cope?
Let us know when you book and we will plan the visit around your pet.