Case study: An in-depth look at how one practice does Fear-Free

The dvm360.com took a road trip to Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, a practice founded and run entirely on Fear-Free principles. Here's what you can learn from their experience.

Practical advice

Ready to get started right away? Here are some tips, tools and strategies.

Three things you can do to be Fear-Free-fast

Kelly Searles, practice manager at Bigger Road Veterinary Center, shares quick strategies any practice can implement to lower patients' stress.

A technician explains how her team decides which Fear-Free tool to use

Emily Korber, RVT, says patients determine what Fear-Free tools team members use. “Not everything works for every pet,” Gerdes says.

Cat's in the carrier: A veterinary technician's transportation tips

Cat carriers can derail client visits before they enter your practice. Listen to Emily Korber Gerdes, RVT, of Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, share how Fear-Free tactics can keep cats calm in the carrier.

Talking sense about pheromone scents

Lindsy Jarvis, lead veterinary assistant at Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, takes us inside “Meow Manor” and discusses how the use the diffuser, including how to explain what the heck it is and what can do for some pets.

Vetcetera: Practice visits take the edge off of potentially upsetting experience

At Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, pets can pop in anytime to get used to the environment. And get a treat.

Associates: Convince your boss to try Fear-Free

While this video discusses low-stress veterinary visits, you can use this approach with your owner for any cool new idea you want to try in practice!

Fear-Free success stories

How Fear-Free is making a difference in the lives of real patients and clients.

How Oreo learned to like the vet

Once upon a time there was a shy pooch named Oreo. She didn't dig going to the vet. Then something magical happened: Her owner and the veterinary team at Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, worked together to practice lower stress handling techniques that transformed her experience. See how this gentle pup's veterinary visits changed in this video.

The treat's the trick: A pet owner's perspective on a Fear-Free tool

Oscar's owner was thrilled with his veterinary visit at Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, because of one particular measure the veterinary team took to make sure Oscar was calm and happy in the exam room.

Fear-Free in practice: The tale of Dobby's “happy visit"

Once upon a time, Dobby was terrified to go the veterinary clinic with all of its unfamiliar smells, sights, sounds and experiences. Hear all about how the veterinary team at Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic in Springboro, Ohio, is changing Dobby's perceptions with “happy visits.” Though still a work in progress, in time this will be a true story of happily ever after.

Why Fear-Free?

A look at the philosophy and motivations behind a Fear-Free approach to practice.

A veterinary technician reveals how personal frustration led her to study pet behavior

Emily Korber Gerdes, RVT, of Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, recounts the moment she realized she had the wrong approach to pet behavior. Listen to what made her say, “I didn't know better."

The top 10 objections to Fear-Free-overcome

Here are some common reasons veterinarians and team members give for not pursuing Fear-Free. Dr. John Talmadge knocks them all down.

Fear-Free underwater treadmill session for therapy and analysis

Fear-Free as a veterinary philosophy applies to nearly every facet of practice. Consider the underwater treadmill approach used at Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio: Every step from the pace of the proceedings to the physical interaction between the patient-a black Labrador retriever named Teddy-and the team is based on what's most comfortable for the pet. Listen as treadmill operator Carmen Kolz describes the therapeutic and diagnostic value of this process.

Vetcetera: Fear-Free travels up the leash into the owner

Listen to how the staff at Bigger Road Veterinary Center describes the movement in this report by Portia Stewart, editor of Firstline and Team Channel Director for dvm360.com.

Ohio veterinary practice adopts Fear-Free approach, boosts team morale

Implementing the Fear-Free approach has fostered a better work culture at Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic in Springboro, Ohio, team members say. Although Fear-Free practice aims to make visits more pleasant for patients and clients, the method has also improved this clinic's team environment.

Spooky the cat's Fear-Free veterinary visit

At Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, the team believes pets have the right to choose how they experience the veterinary visit. And not every pet enjoys the same experiences! Here's a quick look at Spooky the cat's options-and how he gets to choose.

The faces of a Fear-Free veterinary practice

From customer service representatives and pet trainers to technicians and veterinarians, the team members at Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, share their thoughts about how they're building a low-stress handling experience in their practice.