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The Fear Free Vet Visit

Columbine Animal Hospital proudly implements Fear Free methods into every visit!

What is Fear Free & why is it important?

A while back we introduced the concept of the Fear Free Veterinary Visit. Fear Free was founded in 2016 and provides online education to veterinary professionals, pet professionals, animal welfare communities, and pet owners. The concepts and techniques are developed and written by the most respected veterinary and pet experts in the world, including boarded veterinary behaviorists, boarded veterinary anesthesiologists, pain experts, boarded veterinary internists, veterinary technicians (behavior), experts in shelter medicine, animal training, grooming, boarding, and more.

With all the false (and harmful!) pet information on the internet, Fear Free aims to keep veterinary healthcare teams and pet professionals at the forefront as the true pet health experts. By closely listening to the needs of the profession and those of the new generation of pet owners, Fear Free has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved.

Here at Columbine, we implement these techniques into the veterinary visit to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress and create an experience that is more enjoyable and safer for all involved. including our patients, clients, and team. You might ask how we do this. Here are few ways:

  1. We educate our clients on how to reduce or remove anxiety triggers that can cause pets to become fearful at home, in transport, and at the veterinary hospital.
  2. We minimize restraint with special handling techniques that are gentle and accommodate your pet’s comfort level.
  3. We prescribe safe, effective medication designed to help your pet relax.
  4. Dog and cat pheromones diffusers are placed throughout the hospital to increase feelings of security and familiarity.

To learn more about Fear Free, visit https://fearfreepets.com/about/what-is-fear-free/.

Also, check out the following video Fear Free: How Pet Owners Can Enjoy Veterinary Visits with Their Pets – YouTube