FEAR FREE® VET VISITS

Mac Animal Clinic is proud to be Oakville’s FIRST Fear Free Certified® Practice
If you’ve ever
…held your trembling pet while waiting for the vet
…struggled to get your pet in or out of their carrier
…watched your anxious pet hide from the veterinary team
… you’ve probably wished for a better way.

So did we.

“Whether your pet is here for a nail trim, a full exam, or just a treat, we’re dedicated to making every visit a positive experience. From our approach to patient care to the design and layout of our clinic, every effort we make is built on our dedication to the Fear Free guidelines and caring for your pet’s physical and emotional well-being.”

Welcome to Fear Free Veterinary Care.
Caring for your pet should be a positive experience that deepens the pet-owner bond. But for many pets, a trip to the veterinary clinic is scary and stressful. As a Fear Free Certified Practice, Mac Animal Clinic incorporates modern gentle care techniques to help pets feel comfortable and safe throughout their visit.

Mac Animal Clinic is proud to be part of a new transformative initiative sweeping veterinary medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience surrounding their visits.

The Fear Free Certified Difference

As part of our commitment to providing a better experience for your pet, Dr. Mac and her team of Fear Free Certified Professionals have completed extensive training in Fear Free handling and care techniques. In addition, Mac Animal Clinic has earned the prestigious Fear Free Certified Practice designation, showcasing our commitment to integrating Fear Free techniques and strategies into every aspect of our care—including culture and leadership, client education, staff training, our facility, and patient visits.

To achieve the Fear Free Certified Practice distinction, Mac Animal Clinic was required to:

  • Reach 100% individual Fear Free certification for each staff member
  • Meet 27 mandatory standards (some with as many as 9 action items)
  • Earn a minimum of 1,070 points out of a possible 2,060 from an additional 28 standards
  • Pass an on-site practice inspection

Worth The Effort

Every ounce of our effort is justified in every tail wag, every happy purr, and every pet parent who tells us they’ve never seen their pet more comfortable, cooperative, and relaxed at the vet. We’re proud to be Fear Free, but we’re even more proud of the positive physical and emotional impact we make, every day, for pets like yours.

Better Visits Lead To Better Care

Fear Free doesn’t just help your pet feel better about visiting the vet, it provides powerful health benefits for your pet—and you!

  • Better exams — When your pet is comfortable, we can gain a more accurate picture of their health, which aids in diagnosis and treatment.
  • Better consent — By considering your pet’s emotional well-being, we can provide a higher level of care without triggering stress or requiring sedation.
  • Better life — We’ll show you how to incorporate Fear Free techniques at home so your pet is more comfortable with medication, travel, grooming, and general care—leading to better overall health!

Discover the difference Fear Free veterinary care can make for your pet. Request an appointment at Mac Animal Clinic!

Fill Out Your Pet’s Pre Visit Questionnaire

As Fear Free® Certified Professionals, we want to make sure your pet’s veterinary experience is as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. Tell us about your pet’s likes and dislikes to allow us to adjust our care to better serve and comfort your pet.

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What To Expect From Your Pet’s Visit

The Fear Free experience reimagines every aspect of veterinary care—before, during, and after your visit—to make the entire process easier for you and your pet. Here’s what you can expect:

Booking Your Appointment

From your very first call, the Mac Animal Clinic team prioritizes your pet’s unique needs to ensure a seamless and personalized experience. This includes:

  • Asking about your pet’s health —  If your pet is a new patient, our team will ask questions about their health history and request any previous medical records. This information helps us create your pet’s medical chart and anticipate their needs.
  • Learning your pet’s preferences — We’ll send you a pre-visit questionnaire about your pet’s likes and dislikes, preferences, and past vet experiences. Your answers and insights allow us to customize your pet’s visit, prepare the room and clinic for their arrival, and ensure we address all your concerns.
  • Easing travel-related stress — We’ll provide personalized travel tips so that your pet arrives in a calm state of mind.
  • Offering tailored scheduling to suit each pet — When possible, we strive to accommodate your pet’s needs and preferences by strategically scheduling their visit. This may include booking your pet’s appointment during quieter hours, minimizing reactivity by preventing appointment overlap, and granting a longer appointment so your pet can relax and decompress in the room before their exam begins.

Your Arrival At Mac Animal Clinic

Every step of your and your pet’s journey through our clinic is carefully planned to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress. This includes:

  • Providing efficient check-in — Whenever possible, you and your pet will be brought straight to a private exam room, prepared specifically for your pet.
  • Having species-specific exam rooms — Dedicated cat and dog exam rooms reduce feline stress by protecting cats from the sight or smell of unfamiliar dogs. Each room is outfitted with species-appropriate toys, treats, and calming pheromones to help your pet feel at ease.
  • Offering species-specific waiting areas — If you must wait for a room, settle into our dedicated cat and dog-only waiting areas. These cozy spaces provide a visual barrier and kitty parking (safe elevated surfaces to place your carrier) to help cats feel secure.
  • Providing your pet with a bandana or blanket — These items have been treated with safe, soothing pet pheromones to promote calmness and alleviate stress.
  • Modifying our approach to suit your pet’s needs — If your pet is uncomfortable waiting, that’s OK! Our team will work with you to find a suitable alternative that is less stressful for your pet.

During Your Pet’s Visit

We utilize Fear Free techniques to create a safe and positive atmosphere for your pet. This includes:

  • Playing soothing music — This muffles other clinic sounds and helps your pet feel calm.
  • Meeting your pet where they’re comfortable — Your pet’s preferences guide our care. This means if your pet is happier in your lap, on the floor, or in a bed, that’s where we’ll perform their exam. Large dogs can enjoy the safety and comfort of non-slip floor mats, which alleviate the fear of falling or sliding during the exam.
  • Using Fear Free handling techniques — Every aspect of our physical interactions—including how we approach, touch, and restrain your pet is guided by Fear Free techniques and your pet’s preferences.
  • Rewarding your pet with tasty treats — When medically appropriate, treats allow us to build a positive relationship with your pet, provide a necessary distraction, and create a positive emotional response to veterinary care.
  • Continuously evaluating and adjusting our care — Your pet’s emotional needs are as dynamic as their health—and deserve equal care and attention. Our team of Elite Fear Free Certified Professionals will listen closely to you and your pet to ensure they are as comfortable as possible at all times. We’ll also use an emotional medical record to track your pet’s behavior, comfort, and responses and use this information to further personalize their future care.

Before You Leave

Every visit is an opportunity to provide better, more personalized care and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress. Before you leave Mac Animal Clinic, our team will take the time to:

  • Reflect on your pet’s experience — We’ll make note of your pet’s responses and behavior, including what worked and what didn’t (and what treats they liked best).
  • Make recommendations for your next visit — If your pet was uncomfortable with any aspect of their visit, we’ll provide tips and ideas on how to make their next appointment more enjoyable.
  • Provide advice on a stress-free homecoming — Returning home can bring on additional anxiety for some pets. We’ll provide guidance on how to ensure a smooth transition.

Ready to schedule your pet’s Fear Free visit?

Our Fear Free Promise

To Our Patients

We are committed to reducing fear, anxiety, and stress at every visit, beginning with travel to the practice.

We listen closely to our patients and observe their body language to inform our care and minimize stress.

We recognize the role that emotions play in pet health. Our efforts are focused on supporting the complete pet, addressing both their physical and emotional well-being.

To Our Clients

We are committed to providing an enjoyable visit where you feel supported and understood.

We will communicate with you before, during, and after your visit to ensure your experience is completely Fear Free.

You will be a partner in your pet’s care, learning the benefits of Fear Free and how you can apply the same principles at home.

To Our Team

We encourage and support each other to make every interaction Fear Free.

We can provide greater patient care without unnecessary restraint or force.

We implement strategies to reduce workplace injuries.

We can enjoy the emotional rewards of caring for happier, healthier pets.

The Fear Free Mission

“To prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.”

Founded by “America’s veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear Free training program was developed by board-certified veterinary behaviorists, veterinary technician behavior specialists, board-certified veterinary anesthetists, well-known veterinary practice management experts, and board-certified veterinary practitioners experienced in Fear Free methods.

The Fear Free initiative aims to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” by promoting a considerate approach and gentle control techniques used in calming environments. Utilization of Fear Free methods and protocols leads to the reduction or removal of anxiety triggers, which creates an experience that is rewarding and safer for all involved, including pets, their owners, and veterinary healthcare teams. Learn more at www.fearfreepets.com.

Join the Mac Animal Clinic Family and Experience the Fear Free Difference

To genuinely care for our pets like family involves equally understanding their physical health and emotional well-being, and recognizing both as crucial for their quality of life. As a Fear Free Certified Practice, Dr. Mac and her team of Fear Free Certified Professionals take pride in providing thoughtful, thorough, and compassionate veterinary care for your furry family members.