Fear Free Practice
At Anza Animal Clinic, your pet’s comfort and well-being have always been our top priority. Our medical director is Fear Free® certified and our entire team uses Fear Free practices — a distinction that helps us make every visit less stressful, more positive, and better for your pet’s health.
What is Fear Free?
Fear Free is a nationally recognized program designed by veterinarians and animal behavior experts. It trains veterinary teams to use proven techniques that reduce fear, anxiety, and stress during exams, treatments, and procedures. This includes everything from gentle handling methods to creating a calm environment with soothing sounds, scents, and treats.
Why it matters for your pet:
- Calmer visits mean better care. When pets feel safe and relaxed, our team can perform more thorough exams and procedures — without the need for heavy restraint.
- Less stress today, better health tomorrow. Pets that have positive vet experiences are less likely to fear future visits, helping them get the preventive care they need.
- Tailored to each pet’s personality. We adapt our approach based on your pet’s body language and comfort level — from using tasty rewards to adjusting how we examine them.
Helping Pets Stay Calm — Even With Medication if Needed
For pets who become especially nervous or fearful, we may recommend gentle oral calming medications or, in some cases, light sedation for their visit.
This approach isn’t about making your pet groggy — it’s about helping them feel secure and relaxed, keeping everyone safe, and ensuring their experience is as calm and positive as possible.
Our Low-Stress Care Commitment
Because we believe every pet deserves compassionate, fear-free care, we do not use forceful restraint or cause unnecessary stress to complete procedures. If a pet arrives very anxious and calming medications that were recommended have not been given, there may be times when we cannot safely provide the care they need that day.
For example, if a patient is extremely fearful about having their nails trimmed and becomes panicked, we may pause and recommend rescheduling with calming medication or mild sedation. This protects your pet from a frightening experience and helps ensure future visits are easier and more positive.
We know this approach may feel different from some other clinics, but it’s a core part of who we are. By putting your pet’s emotional well-being first, we can provide better, safer, and more positive experiences — now and for every visit to come.
What you can expect at your next visit:
- A warm, welcoming environment with calming music and pheromones.
- Gentle, low-stress handling that respects your pet’s comfort zone.
- Plenty of treats, praise, and patience to help your pet feel at ease.
- Tips for preparing your pet at home
We know your pets are family, and we want them to feel safe and loved here — not just cared for. Implementing Fear Free practices is another way we’re raising the standard for compassionate, high-quality veterinary medicine.
If you have questions or would like tips to help make your pet’s next visit as stress-free as possible, call us at (805) 495-1059 or visit Anza Animal Clinic
Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members — we’re honored to care for them.
