Visiting the vet for many people can be a daunting task, let alone spending a night alone while your family is away. However, this was not the case for Brescia. Allow us to share what set apart Brescia’s time with us and how we are making a difference in Brescia’s life with our Fear Free approach.
In 2017, Fear Free began at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. It started with each staff member earning their individual Fear Free certifications. In 2018, we became the first Fear Free Certified Practice in Columbia. This means that we take your pet’s emotional well-being just as seriously as their physical well-being. Every staff member on the team goes through the certification and training so they can learn the signs of fear and anxiety your pets display and the best way to address it so that they are more comfortable. As a Fear-Free Certified Practice, we incorporate fear-free methodologies in every process of our hospital from the environment, customer education, ongoing staff training, boarding facilities, and patient visits.
Now let’s meet Brescia!
Brescia is a beloved Siberian Husky mix, who was rescued by Mya from a hostile environment in February 2020. Within hours of caring for Brescia, Mya felt an instant unbreakable bond with her. Despite Brescia’s destructive tendencies, Mya says Brescia’s loving nature brings light and warmth into their home. Brescia loves chasing squirrels and rabbits during their long hikes, and she embraces all opportunities to explore and experience nature.
When Brescia first came into the hospital to stay in our boarding facility she was reasonably nervous, since Brescia already had a negative experience at a young age, we immediately began implementing strategies to alleviate her anxiety. This starts by referencing our FAS scale, the Fear, Anxiety, and Stress Scale which helps us understand what an animal’s body language is telling us. We began by letting Brescia come to us at her own pace; liver treats soon became a quick way to win Brescia’s trust. We repeated the treat-giving process until Brescia was excited to follow us.
Once settled in our boarding facility, we created a calming environment. Soft, soothing music is played in the background to provide a sense of tranquility. Additionally, we utilized odorless pheromones dispersed by Adaptil diffusers. These pheromones mimic the calming messages that mother dogs give to their puppies. We also sprayed Brescia’s blankets with Adaptil spray to further enhance her feeling of security.
As Brescia began to feel more comfortable, she revealed her unique personality and formed a positive, trusting relationship with our team. She introduced us to her favorite stuffed beaver, which she loved to snuggle with every day. We enjoyed playing Tug-O-War, offering plenty of cuddles, and taking her on exploratory walks around the facility.
Over time, Brescia’s confidence grew, and she transformed from a nervous girl into a confident one. Mya and her companion Brescia continue to board with us; Brescia eagerly awaits to make new memories during her stays with us.