Reduced Fear Vet Visits

A Comprehensive Approach to Ensure Your Pet’s Peace of Mind

Reduced-Fear Vet Visits in Harrisonburg, VA

A pet’s fear and anxiety can have significant effects on their health and overall well-being while making it difficult to bring them to a veterinarian for necessary care. At Heartland Veterinary Clinic, we have launched a reduced-fear initiative to minimize the stress and fear your pets feel when visiting the vet. This initiative has resulted in some changes to our clinic, as noted below. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with our fear prevention tips before your pet’s appointment!

New to Heartland Veterinary Clinic? Make sure to fill out a New Client Form before your first appointment.

Call (540) 434-3903 to learn more about our reduced-fear initiative. We accept clients from throughout Rockingham County and the surrounding areas.

At-Home Preparation

A fear-free vet visit starts at home. By taking certain stress-prevention steps before you bring your cat into our office, you can reduce their anxiety and help the appointment proceed smoothly. 

We recommend that you:

  • Use your cat's carrier as a daily part of their routine
  • Practice trips for dogs or cats to acclimate to the car
  • "Treat visits" to your vet, especially for dogs
  • Use of appeasing pheromones or other supplements if needed for trips
  • "Fasting" before a vet visit, then feeding during the visit
  • Stress can be contagious to pets, do not be nervous "for" your pet

Changes to Our Clinic

As part of our reduced-fear initiative, we have taken steps to improve our patients’ experience within our facilities. This includes some physical changes to our clinic and some changes to our workflow/protocol.

We have:

  • ​Created a separate waiting area, exam rooms, treatment room, and ward for cats and dogs
  • Separated these spaces to minimize noise and prevent smells from spreading
  • Changed the pattern of appointments to minimize stress before the exam
  • Employing special handling techniques with patients who show signs of stress
  • Introduced the use of appeasing pheromones and warm towels to minimize stress when needed
  • Started taking rectal temperatures or fecal loop samples only when necessary

Changes for Clients When Visiting

In addition to physical and workflow changes, we have also implemented some changes that affect clients when visiting us for an appointment.

Please note that:

  • After checking in at the main lobby, clients will go over to the "Cat Lobby" to await the technician (for cat-only visits)
  • After the doctor and technician are done, a receptionist will come to the exam room for check-out and invoicing (for cat-only visits)
  • For those pets it may help, clients can elect to wait in their cars after checking in
  • If your dog is overly excited or nervous, we will have you wait in an exam room when possible

At Heartland Veterinary Clinic in Harrisonburg, we are committed to ensuring that your pet enjoys a fear-free visit every time.

Call (540) 434-3903 now to book an appointment.