Nervous or anxious pet?

Here at SVC we strive to achieve a fear free experience and protect the emotional wellbeing of every patient. We have bespoke protocols in place to enhance the patient experience during their visit to the practice. 

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Our team have undergone additional training in the 'Fear Free Approach'. Our reception area is comfortable and welcoming. We are always stocked with yummy treats at the in clinic coffee shop, pup cups to hand and of course our delicious artisan coffee, to make sure our human friends are happy too. Our clinical areas all have non slip safety flooring and we use pheromones throughout the clinic to improve the feelings of patient well being. 

 

Stress and anxiety has a detrimental affect on healing, behaviour and learning. Sometimes even a small thing like a vaccination can be very traumatic for a pet. We try to alleviate fear, anxiety and stress with methods including desensitisation and positive reinforcement. We also can discuss medications that can help reduce stress that are given pre-visit. 

 

Here at SVC we assess each patient individually based on their behaviour and needs. Our Clinical Director, Dr Layla Grimshaw, has a keen interest in behaviour and training, with over 20 years worth of knowledge and experience. We adapt each visit to the clinic based on the client and patients needs. This can include a variety of techniques and methods depending on the individual requirements. 

 

Introducing the Southside Veterinary Clinic 'fear free appointment'.

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We are now offering non medical Fear Free appointments (up to 30 mins) for clients and patients where we aim to desensitise fearful stimuli and build up the trust between our staff and patients. These are designed to strengthen a patients positive experience within the clinic, in a calm and controlled environment, full of positive reinforcement. 

 

The fear free appointment allows us to observe the patient and their interactions with the clinical staff and how they respond in the veterinary environment. We see how they respond to a clinical exam, if this is something they can tolerate, and what their individual triggers are. A patients emotional welfare can be judged largely on their body language and interactions.

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We will then discuss how to work towards addition needs such as a vaccination and what the best approach is to achieve these goals with each individual. 

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We form individual protocols and methods to best suit the patient and attach these to their records for all the team to utilise when they see your pet. Continuation of care and building a bond and trust with our staff is incredibly important to us. We will always aim to ensure patients see the same team members on each and every visit.

 

We welcome clients to bring in their pet’s favourite treats and toys and a preferred bed or mat if appropriate. 

 

Hospitalisation

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For those patients requiring hospitalisation it is very important to keep stress levels to a minimum to maximise healing. 

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We have separate wards for dogs and cats with expertly designed, heated kennels. We have classical music gently playing which has been shown to reduce stress. We aim to provide the optimum recovery space for our pets to get them back on their paws as soon as possible. Our experienced nursing team give the highest level of nursing care, taking time with each patient, treating them as if they are one of the family.

 

To book a Fear Free appointment or for more information please call us on 0141 737 1540.