Fear of veterinary visits causes significant welfare harm to millions of dogs and prevents adequate healthcare. Fear-free veterinary practices dramatically improve welfare outcomes.
Veterinary fear represents a welfare problem that compounds itself: fearful dogs have more stressful veterinary experiences, which reinforces their fear, which makes owners reluctant to seek care, which means welfare problems go undetected. The welfare stakes are high because fearful dogs who don't receive adequate veterinary care experience preventable illness and untreated pain throughout their lives. Fear-free practices represent a genuine welfare advance that simultaneously improves animal welfare during visits and improves access to care by reducing owner avoidance. Pre-visit medication for severely fearful dogs is not weakness or excessive - it is appropriate compassionate care that enables veterinary access.