Fear Free Requires More Time, But It's Worth It

Fear Free does require more time, says Janet McConnell, CVT, director of education and professional development at Compassion-First Pet Hospitals — there's no doubt. But taking that extra time is part of the process of having successful visits.

Usually, veterinarians have appointments quickly, but they don't take the emotional wellbeing of that patient into account when doing so. Overall, the extra time is well worth having a positive experience for each pet. You can build those additional, extended exam times into your daily practice. When your client knows why you've extended their pet's visit, most of them will do whatever it takes to have their pet comfortable and their appointment less stressful.