If you’ve been around the clinic over the last year or so, you may have noted that we at Upper Canada Animal Hospital have all become Fear Free Professionals. But what does this mean exactly and why is it so important? Fear Free Pets is an organization that started in the United States with the aim of caring for the emotional wellbeing of pets in the clinic, in the training facility and at home. Certified Fear Free professionals include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, office managers, client care representatives and trainers. The organization provides online and in person education, knowledge and tools to help us all understand our pet’s behaviour and work with it to achieve the best interactions and outcomes for our furry family members. What does this mean in practice? First, we need to understand that all pets undergo Fear, Anxiety or Stress (FAS) at some point in their lives. For some pets, this occurs only at the vet clinic, or with unfamiliar situations. For others it may be the presence of other animals or children. For still others, fear and anxiety are daily struggles, much as they are for some people. FAS does not look the same for all creatures. For some, it may be growling, hissing or barking, seemingly aggressively. For others it may be cowering in a corner with tucked tail, looking away from the perceived threat. For others, it may manifest as hyperactivity. It could be as subtle as showing the whites of the eyes or lip licking and yawning or as obvious as an attempt to bite. These are all manifestations of stress! How do we address FAS ? By changing the way we interact with our pets and patients! This may involve differences in the way we approach your pet, offering lots of yummy treats, breaking up one appointment into smaller appointments and sometimes, by prescribing medications that reduce anxiety. This latter option is one that makes some pet parents nervous. But the benefits are astronomical for a pet that suffers from severe anxiety in the vet clinic (or in other situations as well). When we are severely afraid, we lose our ability to learn. I am afraid of spiders and if I have a spider crawling up my arm, I am sure not going to stop and eat delicious food and stand still for you. This is how some dogs and cats feel when they are experiencing FAS in the vet clinic. But when given a medication to reduce anxiety, a dog or cat may have enough fear reduction to stay still and accept an exam. They may even be able to enjoy treats or gentle petting. Over time, this can change their negative fear response to a positive one. This means better vet visits, better, more thorough exams, more accurate diagnoses and happier pets and pet parents! How can you help? Call us and ask us what you can do at home to prepare your pet for a visit. When you come to the clinic, bring your pet hungry so food will be more enticing. If your pet has allergies, feel free to bring tasty high value food treats from home, but we also have lots of options here. Leave prong and shock collars at home; they INCREASE fear and anxiety and can worsen a veterinary visit or training experience. Ask us for medication if you feel it may help, even before we offer it. Fear Free practice takes time, patience and ongoing work but the benefits for your pet are amazing. We are proud to implement Fear Free strategies in our hospital. Please feel free to call and ask us about Fear Free Practice or check out fearfreepets.com for more information. Hope to see you soon! Angela Granacki, DVM July 20, 2019