A lot of animals hate the vet. That's not a failure of the owner or the pet. It's a reasonable response to a strange place with strange smells and strangers touching them. We can't make every animal love coming in, but we can make it less stressful, and over time, some animals genuinely do get better about it. Here's how we approach it.

What we do before the exam starts

We let the animal set the pace. When Dr. Nora Callahan or Dr. Nora Callahan walks into the room, the first few minutes are just presence. No reaching, no grabbing, no immediate stethoscope. We let the animal sniff, look around, and decide whether to approach. Treats go on the table from the start. For cats, we often do the whole exam on the floor if that's where they're most comfortable.

Low-stress handling techniques

We use minimal restraint. A lot of the stress in a vet visit comes from being held down, and for most exams, it's not necessary. We use towel wraps for cats when needed, but loosely, and we stop if the animal is escalating rather than calming. For dogs, we work from the side rather than looming from above, which is less threatening from a dog's perspective.

Pre-visit medication for very anxious animals

For animals with significant anxiety, we can prescribe a mild sedative to give at home before the visit. This isn't something we do for every anxious animal, but for dogs or cats who are genuinely distressed, it makes the visit safer and less traumatic for them. Call us before your appointment if you think your animal might benefit from this.

Building a better association over time

Some of our most anxious patients have become noticeably calmer over several visits. It takes time and consistency. If you can bring your dog in for a 'happy visit' occasionally, just to get weighed and get a treat and leave, that helps build a positive association. We're happy to do that at no charge for established patients.

If your animal has had a hard time at the vet in the past, tell us when you book. We'll plan the visit accordingly and make sure we have enough time.