At the vets

Today, Izzy was at the vets for her fourth Synovan injection for arthritis.

Izzy isn’t afraid of the vet, but she isn’t comfortable on the hard floor, either.   She’s used to carpet, a nice cushioning dog bed, or my bed – and because it’s winter, the hard floor can also be cold.   Physical discomfort is a form of stress.

My Fear Free solution has been to bring a cushioned mat with us to the vet for each visit and the mat has the added benefit of providing a surface that isn’t as slippery – also useful for a dog with arthritis.

Izzy can wait in comfort in the waiting room and the mat makes the exam room less stressful, too.

A soft bed in the waiting room makes waiting much more pleasant

Once in the exam room, her mat provides safety and warmth

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand