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Fear Free Care

What is Fear Free care and why is it beneficial?

The foundations of Fear Free were laid by American veterinarian Marty Becker in 2016, with the goal of reducing stress, fear, and anxiety in animals during veterinary care. In addition to veterinary professionals, the training is also available for trainers, dog groomers, and dog sitters.

The Fear Free approach was developed by veterinarians, behavior specialists, and trainers. Its core principle is that an animal's emotional state and needs are just as important as its physical health. During care, methods are used to help calm the animal and turn the veterinary visit into a positive experience.

I was among the first veterinarians in Hungary to become Fear Free certified, and I am pleased to see that in recent years an increasing number of specialists trained in various types of Fear Free care have become available in my country


What does Fear Free care look like?

  • Preparations at home – Before your visit, there is an opportunity to discuss how to prepare your pet for the appointment. Various pheromones, calming music, and stress-relief supplements can make travel and the visit easier. In many cases, I also recommend a stress-relief product that can be given before the visit, which is available at most veterinary clinics.

  • Calm environment – During the examination, I provide the least stressful environment possible. Cats are examined on a soft towel on the table or in the bottom of their carrier. Most dogs can be examined on the floor, so it is not always necessary to place them on the examination table, which can be intimidating for many canine patients.

  • Positive reinforcement – Whenever not contraindicated, I often use treats, toys, or brushing to reward the animal or distract its attention. If your pet has a favorite treat, ball, rope, blanket, or any other item it loves, feel free to bring it along!

  • Gentle examination methods – My goal is to ensure that the procedure is not a traumatic experience for your pet. There are many Fear Free techniques available, such as considerate approach, touch gradient, distraction, and gentle control.

  • Owner involvement – Since the presence of the owner is calming for the animal in most cases, I arrange the examination so that you can remain with your pet throughout. Procedures that need to be performed at home are explained in detail, and whenever possible, I demonstrate them (e.g., ear cleaning) so that you can handle your pet as stress-free as possible at home.


IMPORTANT!

I do not provide behavioral therapy; for me, Fear Free is an approach or mindset. If your pet has behavioral issues, I can assist by recommending a specialized trainer or a veterinary behaviorist, and, if necessary, we can collaborate with them to create a treatment plan for your animal.