You pull the carrier out, thinking this time you'll be stealthy enough and make it to the vet appointment on time. But suddenly Fluffy is nowhere to be found. Or, you arrive at the vet only to have your furry friend so upset that the vet is unable to examine them.
Almost every pet owner has been there, but these are experiences Dr. Kathryn Primm intends to change.
As the owner and lead veterinarian for Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Primm took it upon herself to become the first-ever vet to be certified by Fear Free Vet, a training program which recently launched nationwide to alleviate pets' fears when visiting the vet.
For some pets, Primm said basic vet training of positive reinforcement and treats is enough. For others, a detailed emotional history, such as whether a nervous cat prefers a room with or without a window, can make a big impact in the success, quality and emotional response to a trip to the vet.
"I think we can all agree that we are here because we love animals," Primm said of her staff's reasoning for their professions. "And it stresses me and the staff to see these animals hide and not want to see us. [This program] is really about circumventing that animal's fear."
Since implementing the training she learned through the program, Primm said she has already begun to see a difference in previously fearful pet patients.
"It's pretty amazing," she said. "I always believed in the program, and have since I first heard about it. But in implementing it, it has exceeded all my expectations."
Once options for certifying entire practices are available, Primm said, each staff member in her facility will be certified. For dogs or cats who have an existing fear response when visiting the vet, Primm adds that additional initial measures such as calming medications or herbal remedies prior to the next vet visit can also be beneficial.
For more information about Primm's practice, located at 9504 Lee Highway, call 238-7387.
For more about the Fear Free certification, visit fearfreepets.com.