The Free-free movement is taking veterinary medicine by storm. The mission statement of the movement is “to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.”
The average veterinary visit is quite stressful for the average pet (and pet owner!) Frightening sounds, smells and painful procedures are responsible for this response. Here are some tips to improve your pet’s veterinary experience
1. Arrive with a calm pet. Make sure your dog is crate-trained and is used to riding in the car. Use pheromones such as Adaptil and Feliway prior to and during the ride to the vet.
2. Play calm music in the car.
3. Limit food before the exam. Fear-fear vets use yummy treats to distract pets during the exam. Bring some of your pet’s favorites treats along.
4. Limit time spent in the waiting area of the office. Fear-free practices direct their patients directly into the exam room, where calming colors and soft music are often featured.
5. Choose a practice with species-specific exam rooms. Comforting smells such as species-specific pheromones, wall coverings and temperature setting make the visit less frightening.
6. Your Fear-free vet may do some of the
following:
8. Sedate with oral medicines before the visit or use reversible drugs to prevent fear and pain.
Better living through chemistry! Wellspring Animal Hospital will use these Fear-free concepts!
Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
The company of a pet relaxes and entertains people, but the benefits of pet ownership go beyond simple joy. Studies have shown that keeping a pet improves the health and well-being of the people in the household. During stressful times, the comfort of a pet protects against depression and loneliness. Animal companions ward off depression and loneliness among people with AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease. Stressful situations have less of an impact on elderly pet owners and visit their physician less frequently.
Pets allow their owners to feel needed as nurturers, while also nurturing their owner. An animal’s unconditional affection often increases the owner’s ability to cope with personal setbacks and depression and can reduce loneliness. Individuals who live “alone” with a pet are actually part of a family; they can look forward to being greeted and recognized when they walk in the door. Caring for a pet can make its owner feel needed and provide reasons for living and staying healthy.
Pets motivate people to be more active and social. Pets are conversation-starters, help to make new acquaintances. Walking the dog provides not only physical exercise but also an opportunity to interact with humans living and more vulnerable to depression. Dog-walking and being outdoors where social contact is possible are healthful effects of dog ownership.
The comfort, social interaction, and motivation provided by pets improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Physical and verbal interaction can lower blood pressure. One study of hypertensive patients showed those who were given pets handled stressful tasks better than those who relied on blood pressure medication alone. Research shows people are more likely to survive the year after a heart attack if they have both a companion dog and a human social support network. Animal companionship is commonly linked to lower death rates and better long-term health.