Fear Free: An urgent obligation (not to mention, unprecedented opportunity)

“I realized I always had the pet's physical well-being in mind, as almost all veterinarians do,” Marty Becker, DVM, says. But what about emotional well-being? In fact, patients' fear may remain unrecognized or tolerated until it becomes a problem for the veterinary staff.

Are you open to testing strategies that could reduce pets' fear or anxiety during visits to your hospital? 

97% of dvm360 survery respondents say yes!

"I'm in favor of improving the overall experience for clients and their pets. Reducing fear and anxiety would benefit everyone involved, including veterinary staff."

"Anytime you can reduce a pet's fear, it's worth it."

"My personal case load has increased because I'm the 'vet who sits on the floor' with my patients."

-Fear Free survey respondents

A big part of the Fear Free movement is veterinarians and team members helping clients come to a better understanding of fear in pets-and its implications over a lifetime. If you're just starting to dip your toe in the water, or if you're the only one in the practice who is really fired up-and you're not the boss-know that Fear Free strategies are practically free and shouldn't take much time to implement. Between 40 percent and 70 percent of respondents to our Fear-Free study are using these strategies regularly now. If you're in that group, one key step is to make sure you're telling clients you're taking these great steps to make their pets' visits go more smoothly. 

"The truth is, once a pet has been frightened, it never forgets that experience."

-Dr. Marty Becker

So if you think treating a pet for medical conditions while overlooking signs of fear and anxiety is counterintuitive, you're not alone. In the roundtable conversation below, Drs. Marty Becker, Lisa Radosta, and Gary Landsberg discuss the tactics of Fear-Free veterinary visits that forge positive relationships with patients and clients as well as make a safer environment for your entire team.

Want to get started? Click here to learn how you (and your team) can become certified Fear Free.

Don't forget! Use coupon code FFDVM360 for 10% off of your sign up costs.