Independent & Family Owned

Find Fear-Free Certified® Professionals at Dupont Veterinary Clinic

Does your dog or cat get nervous when it’s time for a visit to the vet? Or is the anxiety even more serious? Complete with physical symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea? Or aggression toward other animals? We have a solution, and it’s called Fear-Free® Care.

What is a Fear-Free Certified® Professional?

The Fear-Free® certification was founded in 2016 by a veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker, and developed by experts in behavior, medicine, and handling. The Fear Free® model was created to improve and transform the veterinary visit experience for all pets and humans involved by implementing techniques that reduce stress, fear, and anxiety. 

Veterinary professionals must successfully complete the certification program to become Fear-Free® Certified and are required to undergo annual Fear-Free®-specific continuing education.

At Dupont Veterinary Clinic, we are dedicated to being a positive presence in our patients’ lives. We aim to maximize the meeting of their healthcare needs—and that’s why we have adopted Fear-Free® methods into our practice.

A vet is examining the dog's heart

The Fear-Free® Visit 

We understand that a visit to our clinic can be stressful for some patients. During a Fear-Free® visit, we provide a stress-free environment for your pet to ease their anxiety. Our goal is that our patients are happy to see us.

Some of the Fear-Free® techniques we use include: 

  • Less Waiting Room Time
  • Limited Interactions by Staff 
  • Calming Pheromones 
  • Gentle Restraint with Fear-Free® Handling 
  • Treats and Toys (for distraction and positive reinforcement) 
  • White Noise 
  • Calming Tools (such as Thundershirts®, caps, towels)
  • Treatments with the Owner Present 
  • Relaxation Medications

How You Can Help Make a Visit Fear-Free®

For some animals, vet-visit anxiety starts when heading out to their appointment. Here are some tips to help:

Prepare for the Vet Visit:

Make the Trip Fear-Free:

Learn to Recognize the Signs of Fear, Anxiety, and Stress

You can help your pet navigate and manage fear when you know how to spot the signs:

Dogs

Cats

Have Questions About Fear-Free® Care?

Our staff would be happy to speak to you about our fear-free philosophies and how we implement them to make your pet’s visit a better experience. Contact us today!