Regular veterinary visits are integral to maintain good physical health and welfare; however, veterinary examinations and procedures can result in reduced mental wellbeing, leading to anxiety and fear of the veterinary practice (Döring et al, 2009; Edwards et al, 2019; Stellato et al, 2019). We would never send a dog home clinically unwell; yet, negatively impacting a dog's mental state is generally accepted as being a by-product of the veterinary consultation.
Dogs that are fearful or have negative associations with the veterinary practice are more likely to act defensively and with aggression. A common method to manage these dogs is to muzzle them and use more force. This may ease the examination for the vet; however, the dog is likely in a state of distress, and may react with heightened aggression in anticipation of another negative experience at the next visit. This may result in a breakdown of the vet–client bond. Furthermore, increased stress in the veterinary clinic will also impact physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure etc (Bragg et al, 2015), confounding the clinical examination.
Therefore, ensuring a dog has a positive experience in veterinary practice is paramount to ensure both the physical and mental wellbeing of dogs is protected.
Dog-Friendly Practice
The Dog-Friendly Practice (DFP) scheme is a new, free certification programme developed by the British Veterinary Behaviour Association. Similar to the Cat Friendly Clinic programme, practices must demonstrate certain criteria to become Dog-Friendly certified.
The DFP criteria are designed in such a way that all practices can become certified. The DFP team have taken into consideration that practices may have spatial or physical restrictions and limitations; therefore, if they have adapted their environment to enhance the dog's experience to the best of their ability, the practice can become certified.
The DFP criteria
Examples of some of the criteria practices must meet are that practice staff must be appropriately trained in reading dog body language and be able to recognise escalating signs of stress. Clinics must be able to demonstrate low stress, positive handling methods across a range of procedures, and they must provide theoretical and practical evidence of counter-conditioning and desensitisation techniques to teach dogs to accept examination and procedures.
The clinic environment must also be adapted to be dog-friendly. Reception areas should have visual and physical barriers to prevent over arousal. Kennels should not be facing each other - if they are, barriers should be used, pheromone products must be used throughout the practice, plus many other environmental factors are considered.
DFP certification
In order to become certified, practices will upload photos and short videos via the DFP website evidencing how they meet the criteria.
We are currently undertaking the second phase of pilot studies to improve and refine the DFP process. We also aim to provide practices with educational resources and support to promote high-welfare standards and make sure their patients have a positive experience in veterinary practice.
Conclusion
Safeguarding the mental wellbeing of dogs in veterinary practice through staff training in dog body language, implementation of positive handling methods and counter-conditioning/desensitisation techniques, and adaption of the environment is imperative to minimise stress in canine patients and reduce bite risk to veterinary staff and owners. The Dog-Friendly Practice scheme provides guidance to veterinary clinics on protecting dog welfare in practice, and certifies clinics that meet high-welfare standards.