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Low Stress Handling Certification

Low stress certified with dog on beach

For the Companion Animal Owners:

This logo signifies that the people you are dealing with have spent a lot of time learning Dr. Sophia Yin’s methods for reducing stress in animals. They know how to hold a leash, how to offer treats and counter-condition animals to willingly accept medical treatment, and the perfect way to do a medical wrap. What does that mean to you? Simple: a more pleasant experience at the vet’s and a happier pet. It also means that they can use methods that can reduce the need for sedation first, reducing risk and pet health costs. It means you can trust that person to treat your pet like you’d want them to be treated. With skill, professionalism, and care. Whether you see this on a certificate or a nametag, it says good things about how your pet will be treated and that gives you peace of mind.

Kitten asleep on a sweater

Why is Low Stress Certification important?

Low Stress Handling skills will show clients and employers that you are knowledgeable in pet behavior, are up-to-date on new trends and skills, and are able to show compassion for your patients. In fact, knowing how to handle patients in a Low Stress way can determine whether or not you have a one-time patient or a long term client. A vet who knows how to handle their patients in a calm, gentle manner is a vet who will earn the goodwill and loyalty of their clientele.

Click here to learn more!

Learn About Stress Levels Here

What our behavior philosophy means for the patients of PHAH:

When treating your pets we will take into account the emotional well-being of the pet, not just the physical. We know that a bad experience today to “get it done” can make the next several years more stressful for this animal. Veterinary care is important, but we cannot perform adequate physical examinations or interpret diagnostics effectively if the patient is too anxious or aggressive because they are scared. Stress, anxiety and fear changes how we can and will treat your pet in order to reduce these feelings.

This means we won't hold down your pet and induce fear or pain unnecessarily. We use a combination of management techniques/handling, medication and treats to achieve our goals with your pets. All animals learn the same way and fear can be extremely detrimental.

In human medicine, there has been a huge shift in focusing on the psychological welfare of patients. There has been more and more research to show that the mind and body are connected and damage to one leads to decreased health of the other. The same is true for our furry friends.

Overall our goal is to practice veterinary medicine with compassion and empathy. All of our staff are Low Stress Handling Certified. We will always put your pet's well-being ahead of "wants" so that we can achieve the "needs" of their medical care.

Drug Resources:

Trazodone:

Trazodone Overview

Trazodone for Dogs: How Does It Work and When Is It Prescribed?

Gabapentin:

Gabapentin Overview

Clonidine:

Clonidine for Anxiety-Based Behavior Disorders in Dogs

Download this brochure to learn more about American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position on Positive Vet visit!