The way Four Lakes Vet starts their appointments is quite different from that of other clinics. We found during Covid that dogs and cats were a little less anxious when escorted directly into exam rooms rather than waiting in a reception area. The reception area can be scary — other dogs or cats with different smells, sounds, and personalities, people who might reach out to pet them (terrifying for more shy pets), and unexpected movement by people and other animals.
Since we are Fear-Free, we are always looking for ways to decrease anxiety in our patients. By eliminating a waiting area, the pet is placed in a quiet room with only the owner and a team member. They have time to sniff and explore the exam room, play with some toys, and maybe get a treat or two before their exam begins.
But this means that when you arrive in our parking lot for your scheduled appointment, you’ll call the front desk (don’t worry, there are signs in front of each parking spot with our phone number and the parking space number!). The receptionist then alerts the assistant assigned to the appointment, who comes out to escort you and your pet into the building. The cat hallway is the first hall on the right. The dog hallway is next, so your dog can walk onto the in-floor scale, get a treat, and then head into an exam room. We also have a dog room near the entrance, so if your dog is more nervous and not ready to walk on the scale, we can put them in the closer room.
If your dog really doesn’t like to stay in the car, we can bring you into the behavior side of the building, where there is a bench where you can sit and wait until your room is ready. There shouldn’t be any other animals there, so there are no distractions for your dog. Just call and ask to be let in there until your exam. We also have a bench in the front where you could wait or, if you are really early for your appointment, there is some green space with picnic tables behind the refuse corral in the back of the building. If you don’t have a cell phone, there is a doorbell by the front door, which will be answered as soon as possible.
We hope you appreciate this fear-free approach as much as we do!
Dr. Scarlett
