OkcPets Magazine January 2022

26 OKC Pets • January/February 2022 Spreading the Word Tulsa does not yet have a certified Fear Free facility, but VCA Woodland Central Animal Hospital and VCA Woodland South Animal Hospital have doctors and staff members who are certified as individuals. Dr. Allison Tarvin of VCA Woodland Central has been certified since 2018. Fear Free paid the costs for part of her veterinary schooling, Tarvin explains, and VCA offers continuing education to technicians who apply for Fear Free certification. The goal is to have more people certified by Fear Free, Tarvin says, but even now, the entire staff applies Fear Free concepts throughout the practice, including receptionists, groomers, and the boarding crew. Techniques to lower stress for animals have been around for years, Tarvin says, but “Fear Free has the potential to grow. Clients might increase the demand for it. Social media and word of mouth are spreading the word about it.” VCA Woodland Central has separate waiting rooms for cats only and separate areas in the hospital. “Fear Free starts at home,” Tarvin explains. She refers clients to the Fear Free Happy Homes website for tips on how to lower an animal’s stress in the carrier and car and how to cut down on noise and separation anxiety and provide more enrichment. Tarvin says she sees patients that need more time because they are very slow at building trust with humans. Fear Free methods won’t work with some dogs, and those will still need sedation for some procedures, she says, but most of them will make progress eventually. Appointments take more time for some pets, such as 60 min- utes instead of 30. There is no extra charge, and eventually the animal might need only 30 minutes. Shorter wait times before appointment are important too, Tarvin says. In some cases, an animal has a certain trigger that sparks anxiety, Tarvin says. For example, “We discovered that one dog doesn’t like white coats, so we don’t wear white.” So if your Cornelius howls piteously and poops in the carrier on the way to the vet, look into some Fear Free ideas for your- self. For more information on Fear Free and a directory of Fear Free professionals and practices in your area, go to https://fearfreepets.com. Call today! 405-999-5822 902 Pendergraft Road, Blanchard, OK 73010 info@rubysk9corral.com www.rubysk9corral.com • Owners live on site • Licensed and insured • 15 minutes from downtown OKC • On a two-lane country road • Luxurious indoor/outdoor runs • Scheduled exercise time • Climate controlled kennels • Fully trained and certified staff • Storm shelter on site • Certified groomer • Training services available • Pickup and dropoff in our “Corgi Cab” Boarding & Daycare In The Clean, Country Air! “Fear Free starts at home,” Tarvin explains. She refers clients to the Fear Free Happy Homes website for tips on how to lower an animal’s stress in the carrier and car and how to cut down on noise and separation anxiety and provide more enrichment. Dr. Allison Tarvin works on touch gradient and positive reinforcement with Chase prior to performing a blood draw. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Allison Tarvin.