Fear Free

Does going to the vet send your pet into a tizzy? Are you tired of having to battle with your animal family member just to ensure he or she stays healthy?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a recent study, 37 percent of dog owners and 58 percent of cat owners say their pets absolutely hate going to the vet. What’s more, 26 percent of dog owners and 38 percent of cat owners report that just thinking about visiting the vet induces feelings of stress and anxiety.

At Animal Hospital of Richmond, we’ve made it our mission to make going to the vet a positive, fear-free experience for everyone.

We begin by consciously reducing and/or eliminating many of the factors that can make a companion animal feel uneasy. This includes everything from making our facility smell more pleasant to limiting the time pets have to wait in the reception area. Our staff also practices stress-free handling techniques, which help to calm nervous animals so we can eventually win their trust.

We’ll also work with you to help reduce the feelings of fear that may be triggered at home and are often associated with vet visits. For instance, we can provide recommendations on things like getting your cat used to the carrier and making car rides a positive experience. We always encourage bringing your companion in just to say ‘hello’ so he or she can become more comfortable in our presence. This allows us the opportunity to create positive, happy interactions that can replace past negative experiences.

At Animal Hospital of Richmond, our goal is to make visits to the vet something that your pet not only tolerates, but actually looks forward to. If you’ve had bad experiences in the past or have a pet that struggles with vet visit anxiety, we encourage you to contact us today. Let’s discuss how we can develop a customized strategy to help you and your pet overcome those feelings of fear once and for all.