Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Whether a pet comes in for shots, a check up, health concerns, or surgery, they and their owners should be shown the utmost respect. The family and animal both should be confident that the vet will be honest and do whatever is necessary to keep the animal healthy.

On a daily basis, dozens of families make appointments at the vet clinic for various reasons. This can range from mild things like yearly rabies shots or a nail trim to more intense things like the animal throwing up consistently or a growing tumor.

Animals hate the vet. This is a pretty well known fact. A dog will get so excited that they get to go for a ride in the car. However, as soon as they walk through the doors of the vet clinic past the other animals, their ears immediately pull back and their hair stands on end. The vet is not an enjoyable place for animals; it usually consists of getting poked by a needle, getting fingers shoved into their mouth, etc. I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy going to the doctor if you got stabbed by a needle every time you went there. Animals need to be reassured that they are safe at the clinic and the vet isn’t trying to harm them. When an animal trusts the vet, they won’t be as nervous and won’t spaz. This can be done by comforting the animals and petting them while they are being examined or treated. Dr. Brown always comforts the animals by giving them treats after an injection, getting nails trimmed, etc. Treats are also a good distraction from what is happening to them. When an owner knows that their pet is comfortable with a vet, they know that they can trust the vet.

Two chihuahuas were brought in one day with nails so long that they curled around in little spirals. They were so scared that they biting Kassi, my coworker, and I. We put muzzles on them and brought out little treats for them to snack on. When they couldn’t snap at our fingers, they weren’t as squirmy in our arms. They knew there was nothing that could be done ,so they settled down, especially when their focus was on the treats.

Compassion, friendliness, and respect are some of the biggest skills that veterinarians need to possess. These skills are requirements to building relationships between the patient, the patient’s family, and the vet. This profession is more than just the medical aspect. A family chooses which vet they take their animal(s) to. If a family does not trust or feel comfortable with a certain vet, they can switch vets or vet clinics. Dr. Brown’s schedule is always booked full. He never has a free moment at work. This is how you know that so many people trust him with their pets.

Every time I go to an appointment with Dr. Brown, he is always asking questions to get to know the family and build a relationship with them. He gets to know all of his clients by their name. When his clients smile at him when he walks in the exam room and engage themselves in the situation, you know that he is well trusted by them.

There was a rescue puppy brought in that had been abused. He was terrified of everyone around him because fear was the only thing that he knew. Kassi and I managed to get him to relax enough that we could hold him. I massaged his little head. He felt so safe with us that not only did he calm down, but he fell asleep in my hand.

The ability to gain the trust and respect of a pet can be truly magical.