For some pet owners, going to the vet can be a stressful adventure and I’m not referring to any diagnosis that might happen in the office; what I’m referring to is the effort it takes when it comes to certain pets to get them to relax so the trip to the vet is a seamless one. Every pet is different, meaning he or she has a personality that is unique to him or her. Some are more easygoing, others are prone to being riled up. Still, it is foolish to think that our pets have a positive association with going to the vet.

Wailani Sung of Psychology Today writes, “Think of what we put our pets through when we take them to the veterinarian. The only time our pets see the veterinarian is when they need their vaccinations or when they are not feeling well. They may initially be eager to explore a new place and get attention. Then suddenly they are firmly held and poked in the rear with an intrusive object. Just as they have gotten over that insult, ouch, they get poked with one or more sharp needles. Then they are ushered out and won’t see the inside of the veterinary clinic until one year later.”

Of course, your pet might get all jittery and nervous when they think you’re taking them to a vet – just look at what they go through. We have to put ourselves in their paws for a moment. If going to the doctor was as rigorous as what our pets through, we wouldn’t be too keen on doctor day – some of us might even exhibit abnormal aggression, similar to pets. It’s all about the psychology of the matter, because really, nobody wants a stranger to poke him or her with things. Our pets are the same way. Some are hoping to remedy this problem and there is a movement going on in the veterinarian industry with the aim to make the vet experience an easier one on our pets and, by extension, us. It is being called the fear-free movement.

Sue Manning of The Columbus Dispatch writes, “The fear-free movement aims to eliminate elements in a vet’s office that bother dogs and cats – such as white lab coats; harsh lights; and slippery, cold exam tables – and to add elements they like. A fear-free clinic, for example, “will have a big treat budget,” said Dr. Marty Becker, the initiative’s main cheerleader and the vet chosen to introduce it to the country.”

Making life a little more pleasant for our pets is something we can all get behind and the fear-free movement is picking up steam across the country, with an estimated 50 practices now considered fear-free. That number is only expected to grow in the next few years.