Fear-Free Care

Do vet visits send your pet into a tizzy? Are you tired of having to battle with your four-legged family member just to ensure he or she stays healthy?

If you answered yes to these questions, you’re not alone. In fact, according to one recent study, 37% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners say their pets absolutely hate going to the vet. At Westside Animal Hospital, it’s our mission to make visits to the vet a positive, fear-free experience for everyone.

We begin by consciously reducing and/or eliminating many of the triggers that can make an animal feel uneasy. This includes everything from making sure our facility smells more pleasant to limiting the among of time pets must wait in the reception area. Our staff also practices gentle handling techniques, which help to calm nervous animals so we can eventually win their trust.

We’ll also work with you to help reduce the feelings of fear and anxiety often associated with vet visits that may be triggered at home. For instance, we can provide recommendations on things like getting your cat used to the carrier and making car rides a more positive experience.

We always encourage bringing your companion into clinic from time to time, just to say ‘hello’. This allows us the opportunity to create positive, happy interactions that can replace past negative experiences.

At Westside Animal Hospital, our goal is to make visits to the vet something that your pet not only tolerates, but actually looks forward to. If you’ve had bad experiences in the past or have a pet that struggles with vet visit anxiety, we encourage you to get in touch today. We can develop a customized strategy to help you and your pet overcome those feelings of fear once and for all.