Fear Free Certified Practice
Pre Visit Questionnaire (PVQ) All dogs & cats should have a current PVQ on file, updated annually. This information allows us to be better prepared to make special accommodations for your pet to allow their veterinary visit to be as Fear Free as possible.
On August 26th, 2019, we obtained the coveted Fear Free Practice Certification, making us the first in the Dakotas to achieve this! We’ve always worked hard to provide the best care for your pets. Now we know that there are ways to make your pet’s healthcare even better. We’re proud that our team members are evolving with veterinary medicine and are committed to looking after both your pet’s physical AND emotional well-being. We’d like you to know how we meet that goal. Check out this story as featured in InForum!
Is your pet showing signs of stress and anxiety before arriving at the veterinary office? Ask us if pre-visit antianxiety meds or supplements might take the edge off and keep your pet happy and relaxed.
Would your pet be more comfortable waiting in the car rather than the waiting room? Just let us know, and we’ll be glad to accommodate you.
You’ll be brought into the exam room a few minutes before your pet will be seen because we’d like the two of you to spend some calm time together. This will allow your pet to explore the room and relax a little first.
Special calming signals, known as pheromones, are provided to your pet at check-in. Also, they are infused throughout the exam rooms. Only dogs and cats can smell them, and they find them relaxing. The music in the room is also specially created for canine and feline stress reduction.
We promise to keep our voices low and calm, and to never use force to examine, test, or treat your pet. We’ll use gentle control techniques, innovative tools, and medication when necessary to ensure your pet’s emotional health isn’t sacrificed for the sake of medical care.
Unless it’s medically inappropriate, we’ll be giving your pet lots of treats during the visit. This is so he or she starts associating a trip to the veterinarian with good things! That will keep stress levels low. Bringing your pet into the appointment hungry can help this process along!
Some pets prefer to be examined up high, on the table, in your lap, in their carrier, or on the floor. We’ll go where we need to go to make your pet comfortable during the exam. We’ll also use specialized distraction techniques to keep your pet focused on good experiences while we perform procedures such as injections that might cause brief stress or pain.
What can you do to increase your pet’s emotional well-being at home? Check out Fear Free Happy Homes to sign up for a FREE membership!
Questions? Just ask! We want you to be happy, too!
Helpful Links:
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