Not registered with us yet?
If you are not yet registered with us, please head to register your pet where you will also be able to complete the fear free questionnaire as part of your registration.
Here at Harrison Family Vets, we really do believe that Pets are family. We know all too well that some pets find the trip to the vets incredibly stressful and fear inducing, with some of our own pets feeling that way too! We also know how upsetting and stressful it is for you as their pet parent to put them through these visits, so we are committed to finding a way in which this fear, stress and anxiety can be reduced for all involved!
Fear Free is an international organisation that provides education and inspiration for veterinary professionals, pet professionals and pet owners. It was founded in 2016 by Dr Marty Becker, a famous vet in who resides in the USA, and is extremely passionate about how we treat pets in veterinary practice. Their aim is to educate on areas such as emotional wellbeing of our pets, enrichment and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS).
At Harrison Family Vets, we strongly believe that this is the way to practice veterinary medicine, so all our team members (including the non-clinical team) have undergone training to become qualified as Certified Fear Free Practitioners to help you and your pets. We are passionate in our mission to protect our patient’s emotional wellbeing, which means that they are healthier, and much happier to visit our teams! It also means that as a pet owner you will have a more enjoyable visit to the vets and as a veterinary team we see real gains, we really do not enjoy seeing pets stressed either!
We truly believe in the Fear Free mission to “take the pet out of petrified” and it is a fundamental part of our culture. We will be developing this mission over the coming months and will aim to share our success stories with you along with a series of helpful videos with hints and tips as to how you can help your pet to have a Fear Free visit to our veterinary practice. We will also keep you updated on the changes we make to our clinics and our approach to treating your pets to reduce the FAS.
…my dog’s visit to the vets less stressful?
There are many things you can do to make your dog’s visit to the vets less stressful for all involved. To start, we need to think about your dog’s safety, so a well fitted collar and lead is essential when visiting the practice. This not only keeps your pet safe but enables our team members to handle and hold your pet in ways that are less stressful and more comfortable.
If your dog does become worried and anxious at the vets, you could place a bandana on them, sprayed with pheromones or Pet Remedy to help ease their anxiety (which we can supply). When traveling to the vets ensure your pet is safely and securely restrained in the car. You could try playing classical music to help create a more calming atmosphere; staying calm yourself will also be a huge help. If your pet is still unhappy about the visit, then please chat to us about various dietary or herbal remedies and even prescription medicines that we can offer to reduce anxiety.
Remember to pack your dog’s favourite treats to encourage a positive association to their trip to the vets. Unless your pet is undergoing an anaesthetic or possibly blood test, then the general rule is that treats are great!
…my cat’s visit to the vets less stressful?
There are lots of things we can do at home to make our feline friends feel less stressed when visiting the vets.
Let us talk about cat carriers: we need to make the cat carrier a less scary place. We recommend a sturdy plastic or metal wire carrier with more than one opening. Ensure this carrier has nice soft bedding in it or an item of your own clothing with a familiar smell. Introduce the cat carrier into your home by placing it in your cat’s favourite spot with the door open and treats or toys inside. If we make the carrier an area of familiar comfort this will reduce their levels of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) when visiting the vets.
You can always introduce feline pheromone sprays or Pet Remedy into your home and onto the bedding of your cat carrier which will also help. You can always bring along your cat’s favourite treats, toys or if they enjoy being groomed, their brush.
Strangely enough it is best to avoid holding the carrier by the handle, which tends to cause the carrier to rock. Ideally holding the basket in your arms allows for a smoother journey for your cat which they will really appreciate.