Sparky getting a Fear Free nail trim.
At Town ‘N’ Country Animal Hospital, we integrate Fear Free practices into everything we do. We want to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets who visit us. Your pet will notice the Fear Free difference from the moment you walk in our doors onto floors designed to enhance comfort and safety of dogs and cats.
As you go through your visit, you’ll start to notice how every member of our staff embraces Fear Free. The Client Service Representatives are the first Fear Free face that pets see. They are masters at communication and empathy, and the custodians of a big bowl of treats. The kennel staff is all about helping pets in having fun, but they’re also integral in making sure the pets stay healthy and Fear Free while staying with us, thoroughly monitoring each pet.
Our veterinary assistants don’t just take blood, they love on pets, and they work hand in hand with the exam room nurses and the kennel staff to optimize prompt care for your pet. You’ll find that one of the ways our exam room nurses provide unparalleled medicine is that they are experts on alleviating your pet’s fear, anxiety, and stress. They have amazing tools to combat it, including a delicious can of cheese wheeze.
Our veterinarians will take off lab coats when a patient has “white coat syndrome” (yes, that exists in our pet population too!), fill their pockets with the most delicious treats, and sometimes prescribe just the right cocktail to allow a patient to be comfortable for that dreaded ear cleaning.
Here’s an example of how TNC is Fear Free. A very good dog named Sparky recently needed a nail trim. We already knew that the sound of nail trimmers made Sparky nervous and fearful because we keep meticulous records of each pet’s FAS (Fear, Anxiety, & Stress) triggers and aids). The team at Town ‘N’ Country knew they needed to take a different approach for Sparky.
Bry and Lexi, our veterinary assistants, decided to take their time and provide a safe space for Sparky while Hannah prepared to find a way to go about the nail trim in the least fearful way possible. Since Sparky did not like his feet being lifted off of the ground, Hannah got down to feet level (you know – on the floor), and made him feel more comfortable without having to fully elevate his foot.
Sparky still wasn’t sure about things, and he kept scooting backwards every chance he got. So Bry held his head, Hannah wrapped her legs around the dog, and Lexi brought up the rear – Sparky’s that is. Slowly but surely, Sparky found comfort instead of fear and anxiety. After a couple of minutes, the nail trim was done and Sparky got praised for being such a good boy!
That’s Fear Free. Our Fear Free team shows up in the regular checkups, the happy visits, and daycare activities. It’s evident in your very first kitten visit. It’s there in your very last good-bye.
Fear Free is what keeps Town N Country from being just another vet in the yellow pages. (Ask Sparky!) Without it, we couldn’t exceed expectations. We wouldn’t see terrified patients transformed into pets who love vet visits. We couldn’t give back like we love to do.
Day after day, pet after pet, family after family, Fear Free defines us. TNC is Fear Free.
