Fear Free Happy Visits

What are Fear Free Happy Visits?

Fear Free Happy Visits are a proactive approach to preparing pets for visits to the vet. They are suitable for dogs with only mild fear, anxiety or stress surrounding the vet visit, and can be used to maintain a positive emotional connection with the veterinary clinic. Happy Visits aim to be short and sweet, focusing on positive experiences within the clinic and with our veterinary team.
There is no fee for Happy Visits, but we do ask that you please contact us to organise a suitable time to bring your dog to the clinic. This allows us to manage the space in the waiting room and to minimise stress for those dogs that might be more sensitive to other dogs or people. Dog parents are encouraged to schedule Happy Visits when their dog is hungry, to make treats given at the clinic even more desirable!

For a Happy Visit, please bring high value treats and reward your dog as they:

  • Get into your car at home
  • Get out of the car at the clinic
  • Approach the clinic
  • Approach the reception area 
  • Move through the reception area
  • Step onto the scales
  • Meet and greet our team
  • Walk through our reception area
  • More meet and greet opportunities
  • Exit the clinic
  • Get back into your car
Happy Visits don’t work for all dogs, and although they can help with positive associations in the waiting area, this doesn’t necessarily help prepare dogs that have more difficulty with examination and procedures beyond the waiting room. Happy Visits may not be suitable for some patients that require Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals or experience travel distress Therefore, more targeted preparation is advised, in the form of a Victory Visit or other behavioural interventions.
Fear Free Happy Visits can be booked online or by ringing the clinic.  Happy Visits are booked with Veterinary Nurses and no medical advice is given during these sessions.