Open Mon-Sat: 8:00AM-5:30PM

Sunriver Veterinary Clinic Make an Appointment 541-593-8128

Fear Free Certification

We know that bringing your pet to the vet for a visit can be a stressful time for them. Our goal is to make your pet feel less stressed during these visits which is why many of our staff have become Fear Free® Certified Veterinary Professionals and we are working towards becoming a Fear Free® Certified practice.

What does it mean to have staff with Fear Free® certifications?

Having staff with Fear Free® certifications means that our team has had specialized training that aims to alleviate stress, anxiety, and fear while your pet is at our clinic. Our Fear Free® certified staff may use multiple techniques during your visit to help calm your pet:

Giving treats to help distract. Did you notice we give out treats like candy? This is done purposefully to help distract your pet from what scares them. A great example is when a pet is afraid of the scale. Our receptionist team often uses treats to distract from the fear of the scale and redirects their attention to a delicious snack!

Getting down to your pets level. It’s not unusual to see our staff get on the floor to examine, treat or even pet your furry friend. Some pets become intimidated, more fearful or stressed when a stranger stands over them so we make an effort to get on their level when possible to help alleviate these feelings.

Pheromone diffusers, for both cats and dogs, are used in our lobby and exam rooms. These emit calming scents to pets to help them relax. Interested in using a pheromone diffuser in your home? Ask our staff about recommended pheromone diffusers or purchase one for your pet at our clinic.

Want to learn more about Fear Free® or learn how to use Fear Free tactics in your home? Visit https://fearfreehappyhomes.com/ or download the Fear Free® resources below.


Complete Our Fear Free Pre-Visit Questionnaire

Before bringing your pet in for visit, please take a moment to complete our Fear Free® Pre-Visit Questionnaire so that we may better understand how to make your pet’s visit as stress-free as possible.


Downloadable Fear Free® Resources

10 Things That Makes Fear Free Visits Different

Preparing for the Veterinary Visit

How to Pill Your Pet With Kindness

Fear, Stress, Anxiety Scale (FAS Scale)

Fear, Stress, Anxiety Signs

Make an Appointment