Mikkel Becker discusses the challenges of avoiding scratches, bites and wrestling with animals needing veterinary care. She references the Fear Free approaches that use multimodal practices. They address fear, anxiety and stress in ways that reduce distress while keeping pets and veterinary teams safer.
Source: Firstline, April 10, 2018. (Link)
When you use tools to offer care, pay attention to the animal’s emotional state. Certain tools may have a negative association for the animal: for example, the dog or cat that panics, flees or goes into fight mode at the mere sight of a muzzle or towel. For these pets, consider other techniques.
Also see: (Don’t) use the force for scale stress and handling hang-ups, April 9, 2018. (Link)
Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” —Yoda
INSIGHTS: Becker references Low Stress Veterinary Visit Resources center as a site to research other fear free handling practices.