Best Friends Animal Hospital
573-336-3759
hospital@bestfriendsah.com
Fear Free Veterinary Care Now Available for Pulaski
County Pets
Local veterinarian earns certification to ease pets’
fear, anxiety during visits
Saint
Robert, Missouri. – Can you imagine telling your dog, “Let’s go to the vet!”
and seeing her tail wag? How about getting out your cat’s carrier and seeing
him come running?
Local
pet owners won’t need to imagine it if they visit Dr. Jim Hackworth in Saint
Robert. That’s because he is part of a new initiative sweeping veterinary
medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience
while at the veterinarian.
Known
as Fear FreeSM, the training and certification program helps
veterinarians modify their procedures, handling, and facilities to help pets
feel safe and comfortable while receiving the medical care they need.
Dr
Hackworth said, “The Fear FreeSM training interested me greatly
after learning about it. If you’ve ever
taken a child to a pediatric dentist or a children’s hospital, you may have
seen their approach to removing fear from a child’s stressful situation. It’s made FUN! I knew there had to be some kind of training
for veterinarians, and Fear FreeSM is it!”
Founded
by 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 boarded veterinary practitioners
experienced in Fear Free methods.
“Providing veterinarians with the tools they
need to ease this burden of fear and anxiety or our patients is the pinnacle of
my 37-year veterinary career,” said Dr. Becker, who was dubbed “America’s
Veterinarian” by Dr. Oz and appeared on “Good Morning America” for 17 years.
“Veterinary professionals are hungry for this information. Animals and their
humans need and deserve it. And now it’s here!”
To
become certified, veterinarians and veterinary staff are required to complete a
comprehensive, 8-part educational course and exam. They also have to take
continuing education to remain certified.
“Anyone
visiting our hospital in the past few weeks may have noticed we take a
different approach to our patients than
other veterinary hospitals….minimal restraint, lots of treats, pain free (or
pain reduced procedures), and sometimes requesting premedication to reduce
fear, anxiety and stress. We have many
dogs RUN into the hospital – they have so much fun! Cats may sit there calmly and purr and others
like to play with us. We’re trying very
hard to make a visit as stress free as possible. One thing we are asking our clients is to
bring their pets in hungry….no breakfast.
They take our treats easier.
Sometime we’ll have folks bring in their pet’s favorite treat or toy or
bedding/blanket. Anything to help their
pet not have as much “white coat anxiety,” Dr Hackworth stated.
Pet
owners who would like their pets to experience the Fear Free difference can
schedule an appointment by calling 573-336-3759.
About Dr. Jim
Hackworth
Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Hackworth began a lifelong
love affair with pets as a child with his own family's pets. He saw how
much a pet could impact his family's personal life and how much love and
affection we can share with our pets. He became interested in veterinary
medicine in high school and began working at a hospital at the age of 16.
He even met his wife at a veterinary hospital (she was 16 and he was
17!). He graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary
Medicine and immediately entered the U.S. Army's Veterinary Corps, and served
with soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines at multiple sites throughout the
world before settling down in Pulaski County with his wife and children.
And if anyone asks, GO ARMY!
Dr Hackworth is passionate about pets being part of our
lives and wants them to be part of our lives in a happy, healthy and enriching
way. With over 30 years as a veterinarian, he still feels he has the best
job in the world.
Dr Hackworth and his wife have four daughters and
five grandchildren. His pets include two cats, one who enjoys
chewing on his toes at 2 AM. He also has three granddogs and two grandcats.
His email is drhackworth@bestfriendsah.com
Learn
more at www.bestfriendsah.com
About Fear Free
Developed
by “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear FreeSM
initiative aims to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” and get pets back for
veterinary visits by promoting considerate approach and gentle control
techniques used in calming environments. Utilization of Fear Free methods
and protocols leads to reduction or removal of anxiety triggers, which creates
an experience that is rewarding and safer for all involved including pets,
their owners, and veterinary health care teams. Learn more at www.fearfreepets.com.
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