Hyde Park Veterinary Clinic is a Certified Low Stress Handling Veterinary Practice. Our staff is dedicated to this philosophy developed with the idea that creating an enjoyable and stress free environment can cultivate a positive emotional response in animals during visits to the veterinary clinic.

What is Low Stress Handling?

Low Stress Handling is a certification program designed to educate and train veterinary medical professionals on techniques that are used to reduce fear, anxiety, and aggression in animals receiving veterinary care. These techniques include specific handling methods, treatment approaches, and supplemental items that encourage a positive reaction from our patients. Some examples of these methods include the appropriate way to approach a fearful animal, the safest way to pick up a pet, recognizing how sight, sound, smell, and touch can increase stress in our patients, and safe and force free ways to restrain that will decrease anxiety during exams and treatments.

Why is Low Stress Handling Important?

Often times, when a pet has had a negative experience during a veterinary visit, it is likely that future appointments will be filled with stress and fear. A heightened sense of anxiety in an animal can pose serious risks to that pet, the owner, and the veterinary staff. Low Stress Handling helps to alleviate strong negative feelings a pet may experience while receiving veterinary care. Pets become more confident and calm during exams, the owners gain a sense of comfort in the treatments their pets are receiving, and the staff feels fulfilled knowing they have improved the physical and emotional well being of the patient.