Why Fear Free starts before the exam room

A new VETgirl podcast is putting a familiar Fear Free message in sharper clinical terms: sedation and pre-visit pharmaceuticals shouldn't be framed as a last resort, but as part of compassionate care that starts before the patient reaches the exam room. In the episode, Dr. Erica Thiel of IndyVets speaks with Dr. Jennifer Merlo, vice president of veterinary affairs at Fear Free, about emotional safety, pre-visit sedation, and the idea that reducing fear, anxiety, and stress is part of good medicine, not a concession. That message aligns with broader Fear Free education, which emphasizes science-based, behavior-led strategies to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress, and with feline handling guidance from the American Association of Feline Practitioners that says pharmacologic support can lessen distress and should be used alongside gentle handling and a cat-friendly environment. (fearfreepets.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the takeaway is practical as much as philosophical. Fear Free materials note that pre-visit medications such as trazodone, gabapentin, and benzodiazepines may be part of care planning, and recommend trial dosing before the appointment because individual response varies. Evidence in cats and dogs also supports that approach: published studies have found single preappointment doses of gabapentin can reduce stress and improve compliance during veterinary visits. For clinics trying to improve safety, workflow, and client trust, the bigger shift is treating emotional wellbeing as part of the medical plan from the first phone call onward. (fearfreepets.com)

What to watch: Expect continued emphasis on standardized pre-visit protocols, staff training, and clearer communication with pet parents that sedation is a welfare tool, not a failure. (practicecertification.fearfreepets.com)