HAPPY VET VISITS
Original Post Jan 11, 2023
By Juliana Wintrob
You may have heard the terms “happy vet visits” or “fun vet visits” floating around recently but don’t know what they are or how they can help you and your dog. I am here to break it down for you.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A HAPPY VISIT?
The reason dog guardians will schedule happy visits is because they want to help their dogs create a positive association with the clinic and the vet staff. It takes more than one happy visit for dogs to create a positive association so it is always best to plan for a few visits.
HOW ARE HAPPY VISITS BENEFICIAL?
Helping dogs create positive associations both with the environment in the clinic and the staff will help reduce the fear, stress, and anxiety around medical exams and protocols during actual vet appointments. Happy visits allow dogs to learn that fun things happen at clinics, not just scary and painful things. Happy visits also allow the staff to build a relationship with the dogs in a fun and positive way.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HAPPY VISIT?
Since the purpose of happy visits is to help dogs create a positive association then that means fun and happy things should happen during the visit. Before you leave your home to go to the vet’s office make sure to bring your dog’s favorite treats with you and enough to share with the vet staff. Do not expect them to have your dog’s favorite treats on hand. If your dog also loves toys, it may come in handy to bring a toy or two as well.
At the clinic, a vet tech or staff member may invite you to an exam room and let your dog explore while tossing food or playing their favorite game. This is a time for your dog to learn more about the environment and staff.
Depending on how your vet clinic is set up the staff may also let your dog wander and explore the waiting area as well.
HOW TO SCHEDULE A HAPPY VISIT?
Happy visits are scheduled through a vet’s office and happen inside the vet clinic. Some vet clinics list happy visits as a service they provide and some clinics are willing to do them if you ask for the service. Other clinics may not be able to do happy visits due to full schedules or lack of extra space.
Most clinics will ask you to call in advance to schedule a happy visit and will ask you to come in on a slow day or near the end of their work hours when things are slowing down.
WHO ARE HAPPY VISITS FOR?
Happy visits are great for dogs of any age. You can also do happy visits for other species of animals as well.
If your dog needs to be sedated to go to the vet’s or cannot eat at the vet’s due to stress and anxiety then I highly recommend you connect with a science-based positive reinforcement trainer to help you and your dog work towards happy visits.
It is never too early or too late to start helping your pet feel better about vet care and handling.
