Fear Free

Does going to the vet send your pet into a tizzy? Are you tired of having to battle with your animal family member just to ensure he or she stays healthy?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a recent study , 37 percent of dog owners and 58 percent of cat owners say their pets absolutely hate going to the vet. What’s more, 26 percent of dog owners and 38 percent of cat owners report that just thinking about visiting the vet induces feelings of stress and anxiety.

At Knoll Animal Hospital, we’ve made it our mission to make going to the vet a positive, fear-free experience for everyone.

We begin by consciously reducing and/or eliminating many of the factors that can make a companion animal feel uneasy. This includes everything from making our facility smell more pleasant to limiting the time pets have to wait in the reception area. Our staff also practices stress-free 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 that may be triggered at home and are often associated with vet visits. For instance, we can provide recommendations on things like getting your cat used to the carrier and making car rides a positive experience. We always encourage bringing your companion in just to say ‘hello’ so he or she can become more comfortable in our presence. This allows us the opportunity to create positive, happy interactions that can replace past negative experiences.

At Knoll 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 contact us today. Let’s discuss how we can develop a customized strategy to help you and your pet overcome those feelings of fear once and for all.

For more information on how our Fear Free techniques can benefit your pet, please read below:

Puppy/New Adult Dog Socialization

• Dog Socialization 

Kitten Socialization

• Kitten Care
• Controlling Rough Play
• Playing With Your Kitten 

Puppy/New Adult Dog Housetraining

• Housetraining Problem Solving
• Housetraining Tips for Success
• Housetraining Basics

Litterbox Training and Care

• Litterbox Basics

Feline Scratching

• Alternatives to Declawing
• Tips for Scratching
• Using Feliscratch

Meeting the Environmental Needs of Indoor Cats

• Enrichment 
• Fun Games for Your Cat 
• Agility Training
• Stimulate Your Cat’s Prey Drive
• Games for Mental and Physical Stimulation 
• Bonding Through Enrichment
• Meeting the Energy Needs for Young Cats
• Top 5 Cat Toys for Enrichment
• Understanding Environmental Needs for Cats
• Constructing a Cat Patio

Canine Crate Training

• Crate Training Basics
• Why Routine is Important for Training

Feline Carrier Acclimation Training

• Carrier Training Basics

Muzzle Training

• Keep Calm and Muzzle On

Nail Trims and Grooming

• Nail Anatomy 101
• Nail Trim Training for Puppies
• Feline Nail Trims
• Brushing Basics for Cats
• Brushing Long-Haired Cats
• Bonding Through Brushing
• Grooming Tips for Senior Dogs

Ear Care

• Ear Care Basics

Senior/Geriatric Patient Care

• Tips to Keep Your Senior Cat Comfy
• Tips to Keep Your Senior Dog Comfy
• Games for Your Senior Dog
• Helping Senior Cats Adapt to a New Home
• Helping Senior Dogs Adapt to a New Home
• Helping Pets Adapt to Vision Loss
• How to Help Your Dog with Arthritis

Palliative/Hospice Care and/or Euthanasia

• Understanding Quality of Life
• Hospice Care for Dogs
• Hospice Case for Cats
• Final Vet Visit: Keeping Your Pet Comfortable