Veterinary visits cause significant fear and stress in many dogs, but the Fear Free movement is demonstrating that this suffering is largely preventable with appropriate handling.
Veterinary fear causes real suffering that accumulates across a lifetime of visits. Highly anxious dogs experience each visit as a threatening event, resulting in physiological and psychological stress. This fear can be prevented by early positive conditioning to handling, the use of pheromone products, low-stress handling techniques, and adjustments to clinic environment. The Fear Free movement has demonstrated that anxious dogs can be seen safely and comfortably with appropriate modifications.