Handling every patient ethically

Handling and restraint are parts of our daily lives as veterinary nurses. We think nothing of bringing a dog into the treatment area on a leash, or removing a cat from its carrier; but, have we really considered what effect our handling is having on that particular animal? Will the animal associate the car and the carrier with its experience? How will its experience affect its behaviour the next time it enters the clinical environment?

If you talked to any practicing veterinary nurse around the world, you would likely hear that they commonly see patients with challenging behaviours. It may be the dog who won't hold still for a nail trim, or it may be the cat that refuses to come out of its cage. We all have seen these patients, and they are arguably one of the factors that make our job less enjoyable. How we deal with these patients defines our success in what we are trying to accomplish, but more importantly, it shapes the patient's behaviour and sets the stage for continued undesirable behaviour within the veterinary practice, and potentially at home as well.