Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital continually seeks to improve your pet’s experience at our hospital, which is why we are proud to be certified as a Fear Free and Cat Friendly Practice. These certifications elevate the high quality of care you’ve come to expect from our team. We are equipped to offer your pets a Fear Free experience, and have taken extra steps to meet the unique needs of your feline companion by becoming a Cat Friendly Practice.
Our Fear Free Certification
The team at Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital cares about your pet’s emotional well-being, and as part of our dedication to providing the best possible care for your companion, our veterinarians and staff have undergone special training to make our practice a more relaxing, pet-friendly environment. Being Fear Free Certified means our team uses specific techniques to create a non-stressful experience and works with each patient individually to better understand their needs. Our goal is to make your pet as excited to see us as we are to see them!
Our Fear Free Certified techniques include:
- Reduced Wait Times: We strive to minimize wait times in the lobby to reduce stress for pets.
- Gentle Handling: Our staff is trained in gentle handling techniques to avoid force and minimize fear.
- Personalized Approach: We adjust care based on an individual pet's fear, anxiety, and stress levels.
- Quiet Environment: Efforts are made to keep our hospital as quiet as possible to avoid startling the animals.
- Stress-Reducing Medications: If necessary, pre-visit pharmaceuticals or supplements may be recommended to ease anxiety.
- Education: We provide pet owners with resources on how to reduce stress before and after visits.
What Does It Mean to Be a Cat Friendly Certified Practice?
We love cats, and we know how stressful a trip to the vet can be for them. That’s why we’ve gone the extra mile to make those trips as comfortable as possible with our certification as a Cat Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Our team is trained to handle cats in a more gentle, compassionate manner, and is equipped to ensure our hospital is a non-stressful environment for your feline friend.
We implement the following Cat Friendly methods:
- Cat-Only Areas: We have separate exam rooms for cats to reduce stress from the presence of dogs.
- Stress-Reducing Strategies for Visits: Your veterinarian might suggest owners bring their cat in a carrier that is familiar to them, covered with a blanket or towel to help hide them from the view of other animals.
- Feline-Friendly Handling: Staff members use handling techniques that are specifically designed to be gentle and minimize stress for cats.
- Use of Feline Pheromones: Synthetic feline facial pheromones are used in our hospital to create a sense of familiarity and calm for the cats.
- Cat-Specific Knowledge: Our team is trained to understand and interpret feline behavior and medical needs effectively.
- Education: Staff members are trained to educate and communicate effectively with cat owners, offering advice on how to reduce stress before and after the visit and how to provide the best care for their cats at home.
