Fear Free
Our goal is to make your family feel at ease in our hospital, where we’ve been demonstrating excellence in animal medicine since 2014.
Viking Veterinary Care and each member of our team are Fear Free Certified, which means we’ve all completed in-depth training to recognize signs of fear, anxiety, and stress and respond with gentle calming techniques. Our entire team has also taken the Fear Free Pledge to show our commitment to these best practices. We want every appointment to feel as relaxed as a visit with old friends.
To provide comprehensive care for our patients and their families, we offer integrative and regenerative options to complement our progressive, cutting-edge medicine, including laser therapy, supplements, acupuncture, stem cell treatment, Chinese herbs, and platelet-rich plasma
How is a Fear Free visit different?
Take a full online tour of our hospital with Bart!
Your visit starts in our quiet, calm lobby with a separate area for cats.
We use Sophia Yin’s low-stress handling techniques with every patient.
We examine your fur baby with you and where they are most comfortable ― often on the floor ― with padded, non-slip surfaces, calming music, and pheromones to reduce stress.
Your pet gets treats when they visit to maintain a positive emotional state and gets to raid the “Booty Box” for a new toy after their annual physical.
Our Emotional Medical Record for each patient helps us prepare their favorite treats, handling techniques, and even staff members for successful, stress-free visits.
We provide ThunderShirts if your pet needs the extra reassurance of gentle, consistent pressure during exams.
Fear, Anxiety and Stress (FAS) Scale
-
Low FAS
GO
• Readily accepts treats, toys, and/or attention
• Relaxed or subtle signs of FAS
• Nutraceutical PVP
Level 1
Displays 1 or 2 subtle signs of FAS, such as lip licking, avoids eye contact, turns head away without moving away, lifts paw, or partially dilated pupils, and/or panting but commissures of lips are relaxed, occurring less than 4 times a minute. Interested in reinforcers (treats, play, attention) and choses to interact with the team members.
Level 0
No signs of FAS. Pet displays relaxed body language and solicits social interactions with team members.
-
Moderate FAS
CAUTION
• Moderate interest/disinterest in treats, toys, and/or attention
• Fidgeting, difficulty settling
• Pharmaceutical/Nutraceutical PVP
Level 3
Displays more than 2 moderate signs of FAS occurring more than 4 times in a minute. May refuse reinforcements for brief moments. Might take treats roughly at times. May also be hesitant to interact with team members but not actively avoiding team members.
Level 2
Displays 1 to 2 moderate signs of FAS, such as ears slightly back or to the side, tail down, furrowed brow, slow movements or overly attention seeking, and/or panting with a tighter mouth (dog), occurring 4 or less times a minute. Readily accepts reinforcement (treats, toys, and attention). Still soliciting social interactions with team members.
-
High FAS
STOP
• Little to no interest in treats, toys, and/or attention
• Fight, Freeze, or Flight Response
• Sedation + Pharmaceutical Nutraceutical PVP
Level 5
Significant signs of FAS with aggression such as growling, lunging, barking, hissing, snarling, and/or snapping. Intolerant of procedures.
Level 4
Significant signs of FAS without aggression, such as immobility, fidgeting, escape behavior, dilated pupils, excessive panting (dog); increased respiratory rate, trembling, tense closed mouth, ears back, tail tucked or thrashing (cat). May or may not be accepting any types of reinforcers. Not interested in interacting with team members and may be showing active avoidance (moving away).
Fear Free Felines
Your feline friend’s needs and responses to clinical settings are different from those of other animals. From your kitten’s first checkup to senior care, we put your cat’s comfort and safety first.
We set you up for a low-stress visit in our feline-only exam room.
We use calming pheromones and "Through a Cat's Ear" music to make your cat's experience more pleasant.
Your vet and technicians are trained to understand cat-specific needs, including facial and behavioral cues, to recognize early signs of anxiety and adapt appropriately.
Our team uses feline-friendly handling techniques to help your cat feel safe and secure.
We provide treats during each exam, but feel free to bring your cat's favorite from home!
Your kitty gets to pick a prize from the "Booty Box" after their first visit to Viking Veterinary Care and after their annual physical exams.
Once your cat is an established patient, we can dispense anxiety medication to help decrease your cat's stress for future appointments.
Fear Free starts at home!
Check out official guides for a Fear Free Happy Homes.