Fear Free Certification

Fear Free Techniques

Our Fear Free techniques help us accomplish our goal of keeping both you and your pet feeling comfortable and at ease from the moment you walk through our doors. 

We are dedicated to decreasing stress, anxiety and fear in patients while offering the best medical care possible.

By offering treats, KONGS, mats and hiding spaces, allowing cats to stay in their carriers or dogs in their owners' laps, pre-visit medications when needed, and modifying our handling techniques, we strive to make your pet's time at our hospital positive.

Larger Fear-Free principles that have been incorporated into the design of our animal hospital include separate cat and dog areas to reduce stress and excitement.

We feel that adhering to both big and small Fear-Free principles makes how we deliver our veterinary care a more gentle and positive experience for our patients and their owners.

How We Implement Fear Free

Fear Free principles extend throughout our hospital and we prioritize them second only to the medical care of our patients.

We work with our patients and their owners to undertake the following steps before and during each appointment:

• Good Communication Between Pets & People

  We start by understanding and identifying how pets communicate signs of stress to us.

  These signs can include a number of subtle signals, from a tense expression or dilated pupils, to more obvious signs like growling or hissing.

  We also discuss the pet's known stressors with the owner, which can include sounds, scents, discomfort, unfamiliar people, or complications tied to any pre-existing conditions.

  Getting to know our canine and feline clients and understanding what stresses them out, and how they communicate that stress, helps us better manage it during their visits.

  We ask the family to speak up if there is something that causes fear, anxiety, or stress. We can help!

• Planning Ahead

  An anxiety-free veterinary appointment starts at home. Let us know if your pet gets stressed going to the vet. We can offer suggestions for things to do at home before the visit, such as supplements or medication for the pet to take before the visit.

  If your pet gets stressed coming into the lobby, or meeting new people or other animals, we can have you wait in the car or in our outside waiting area, and then come directly into the exam room.

  Let us know in advanced if your pet will do better with a male or female vet.

  Cats and small- to medium-sized dogs should be acclimated to their carriers ahead of the visit. This can be accomplished by leaving the carrier out in an area of the home where the pet likes to be. ​Place a towel over the top of the carrier to help create a safe place with familiar scents.

  The carrier should be outfitted with toys, and comfortable bedding or a non-slip mat. Carriers that have a top-off option are ideal because they are more accessible.

  You can also spray cat or dog pheromones in the carrier or, for larger dogs, onto a bandana.

  If transporting a medium to large dog, be sure to use an approved restraint device in the car. The drive to the vet can be kept low-stress with calm music or silence and by avoiding hard stops or starts. 

  You can also bring your pet's favourite treats or toys to the visit.

• A Calm, Quiet Environment

  At our Sault Ste. Marie office, we do our best to keep the atmosphere calm, quiet, and positive.

  To help reduce your pet's stress in the waiting area, keep cats and dogs separate as much as possible. Cat carriers should be kept off of the floor and instead placed on a sturdy table or chair. Keep your dog leashed and close to your side to minimize their interaction with other waiting pets.

  When you arrive, you and your pet will receive a warm and friendly welcome. We want you to know that you are important to us.

  As dogs and cats are often sensitive to loud noises and quick movements, during the appointment, our veterinary team will remain calm, speak in quiet voices and approach your pet in a slow, careful manner.

• Treats & Toys

  To encourage a positive experience and decrease fear, stress, and anxiety during the visit, rewards such as treats, toys, or petting/brushing can be used during an exam or when performing diagnostic testing as long as it is not contraindicated based on why the pet is at the hospital.

  We have treats throughout the hospital, but if your cat or dog is on a special diet or has a favourite, we encourage you to bring their treats or food with you to the visit.

• Pet Owner Involvement

  Families are allowed to be with their pets during procedures (excluding sedation, anesthesia, X-rays and while the hospital is closed). The staff will direct families on how they can play a part in their pet's treatment to ensure lower stress for the animal and to keep staff and family safe during the procedure.

• Sedation & Restraint Options

  If restraint is required during a procedure, our trained staff may use a towel wrap, a muzzle or an Elizabethan collar to ensure the patient is safe and comfortable during the process. A mild sedative may be recommended to make sure that the procedure can be performed safely and is less stressful for the patient.

  If you already know that your pet experiences anxiety or stress when visiting the vet, it may be beneficial for the veterinarian to provide you with a mild sedative to give to your pet at home prior to an appointment.

  In some cases, we will reschedule a procedure if the pet is too stressed. This allows us to send home medications to be used prior to the next visit before the procedure is performed.

• Fear-Free Overnight Stays

  Our veterinary team has guidelines in place to minimize stress during overnight stays.

  We work to minimize smells and loud noises, and we place calming pheromone diffusers around the hospital.

  We also sometimes use soft music or white noise machines to interfere with any sudden noises. Lights are kept low and pets are given soft bedding and places to hide to make them more comfortable.

  If we need to move your pet around in the hospital — for an exam, a procedure, or a walk outside — it is done slowly and calmly, avoiding interactions with other patients. Mild sedatives or anti-anxiety medications may be used in the hospital to reduce stress during the stay.