Fear Free Resources

At Red Rock Veterinary Health, we are committed to creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for pets, clients, and our team. Our "Fear Free" approach is grounded in science-based practices aimed at reducing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) during veterinary visits. Inspired by methodologies like Fear Free® Veterinary Care, Low-Stress Handling® techniques developed by Dr. Sophia Yin, and the Feline-Friendly Certification from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), we prioritize your pet’s emotional and physical well-being.

Philosophy of Fear-Free Care

Animals often associate veterinary visits with stress, leading to heightened fear and discomfort. This can result in difficulty during examinations and procedures, which can affect health outcomes, the ability to provide care, and the safety of the veterinary team. By focusing on minimizing FAS through gentle handling, environmental modifications, and the use of positive reinforcement & cooperative care, our goal is to foster trust and cooperation to make veterinary care more accessible and less scary. Examples include pre-visit pharmaceuticals, stress-reducing pheromones, and personalized handling plans, which ensure a smoother experience for all involved.

Practical Implementation in Day-to-Day Workflow

In our hospital, every interaction is designed to prioritize your pet’s comfort:

  • Environmental Adjustments: The lobby & exam rooms are equipped with soft, non-slip & sound reductive surfaces, calming pheromones, and noise cancellation to create a safe and gentle environment. Moreover, our reception and nurse team will help coordinate appointments, entries, and exits, to help minimize interactions between patients. Even our scale set up in our lobby has been explicitly designed to reduce FAS to obtain weights prior to appointments.

  • Gentle Handling: Staff are trained to read animal body language and adjust their approach to minimize stress. For example, scruffing cats and forced lateral recumbency for canine restraint are prohibited; instead, we use towel wraps for cats, treats for distraction, and calming caps during procedures.

  • Tailored Experiences: Each pet’s emotional needs are assessed, and individual handling plans are documented in their medical records to guide future visits. Moreover, pushing an animal past its comfort threshold (FAS scores 4 & 5) are explicitly prohibited. This means we “call it a day” if we feel we cannot provide care without causing severe FAS.

  • Proactive Measures: Pain relief, anxiety medications, sedation, and other interventions are utilized when necessary to ensure that your pet feels secure throughout their visit and we consider the long-term plan of their healthcare, which means not causing a traumatic experience.

Client Resources

This section of our website offers tools to help you prepare for stress-free veterinary visits:

  1. Pre-Visit Tips: Guides on acclimating pets to carriers, reducing car ride anxiety, and preparing them for a calm experience.

  2. Educational Materials: Learn to recognize your pet’s body language and understand how low-stress handling improves their health, longevity, and veterinary experience

  3. At-Home Support: Recommendations for creating a fear-free environment at home, including products like calming sprays or stress-reducing gear.

  4. Benefits for All: Information on how this approach enhances the experience for pets, clients, and staff by building trust and cooperation.

By embracing these philosophies and tools, we aim to redefine veterinary care as a positive experience for your pet, fostering a lifelong partnership between you, your beloved pet, and our team. Together, we can create a healthier, happier future for your pet.

For more information, explore the resources provided here (as we add them) and feel free to contact us with any questions.