The veterinary profession is continuously evolving, with a growing emphasis on pets’ physical and emotional well-being. Fear Free certification promotes an evolutionary approach to pet care designed to reduce pets’ fear, anxiety, and stress during veterinary visits. This certification, developed by Dr. Marty Becker and a team of veterinary and behavior experts, has transformed how veterinary clinics operate. Our Burlington Veterinary Center team describes our Fear Free approach to caring for your furry friend. 

Using Fear Free principles with every pet

As a Fear Free certified clinic, we are dedicated to ensuring that our interactions with your pet, from the lobby to the exam room, are as stress-free as possible. Our veterinary team’s goal is to help your four-legged friend feel safe and comfortable at our hospital by doing the following:

  • Assessing your pet’s stress level throughout the visit
  • Determining disease, illness, or pain signs, which are often masked as fear
  • Minimizing fear triggers in our clinic
  • Using Fear Free handling methods
  • Employing safe and ethical protocols when dealing with aggression
  • Improving your furry pal’s emotional and physical health

Improving emotional wellness for pets

Our Fear Free practice prioritizes pets’ emotional and psychological health, ensuring veterinary visits are comfortable for your furry pal. Our team significantly enhances overall pet comfort by using gentle handling techniques, providing a calming environment, and employing strategies to reduce anxiety. This approach can lead to:

  • Reduced anxiety and stress — Calm pets are likely to cooperate during exams, contributing to accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
  • Positive behavioral changes — Repeated positive experiences at our clinic can lead to long-term behavioral improvements, making future visits even more stress-free.

Promoting trust among pet owners

Pet owners are increasingly aware of their pets’ emotions and often seek veterinary services that align with their values. Our Fear Free certification demonstrates our clinic’s commitment to compassionate care, which can significantly boost the pet owner-veterinarian relationship. Benefits include:

  • Increased trust — To build a trusting relationship with our clients, we focus on becoming aware of their pets’ stress and taking proactive steps to calm pets’ fears, leading to strong, long-term relationships.
  • Positive feedback — When clients are happy with how we handle and care for their furry friends, we instill confidence and peace of mind for future wellness visits. 

Creating a calm environment for pets

A Fear Free environment is not only beneficial for pets and their owners but also for the veterinary staff. By implementing Fear Free techniques, clinics create a positive and safe work environment for everyone. This can result in:

  • Reduced environmental stress — Fear Free techniques, including minimizing noise and odors in the environment, can make interactions with pets pleasant. 
  • Enhanced safety — By using dedicated Fear Free protocols, we reduce pets’ fear and anxiety, which leads to fewer aggressive behaviors, such as biting or scratching, thereby decreasing veterinary team members’ injury risk.

Enhancing outcomes for pets

Fear Free practices can lead to better clinical outcomes for pets who require complex treatments. Stress and anxiety can often mask illness signs, complicate a diagnosis, and hinder recovery. By using Fear Free practices, we can achieve:

  • Accurate diagnoses — Calm and cooperative pets comply with thorough exams, allowing for precise diagnoses.
  • Effective treatments —  When a pet feels calm, their treatments are likely to be effective and they recover quickly.
  • Preventive care — Pets comfortable with veterinary visits are likely to receive regular veterinary exams and preventive care, leading to better health outcomes.

Fear Free certification offers numerous benefits for you and your furry friend by prioritizing pets’ emotional well-being. These practices represent a forward-thinking approach to holistic veterinary care, ensuring pets receive the compassionate and comprehensive care they deserve. To learn more about our Fear Free certification, contact our Burlington Veterinary Center team.