Photo: Bethany Kratochvil
Bethany Kratochvil adopted Pete, an energetic Australian shepherd mix, from the Animal Humane Society in 2021. But trips to the vet brought out a different side to this happy-go-lucky pup: his anxiety. Pete seemed tense, scared and overwhelmed. “He would hide behind me in the exam room, just trying to get away from the staff,” Kratochvil says. “It was so discouraging to see him so uncomfortable.”
Things changed for the pair when Kratochvil discovered Plymouth’s PetVet365, a practice that follows the Fear Free approach. The philosophy focuses on minimizing stress for pets through collaborative care that is taken at their pace in an environment that welcomes them. Exams are all performed with the pet and owner together, providing as many treats as necessary and as many breaks as needed.
Kratochvil says that the staff at PetVet365 take a holistic approach to both health and behavior, adapting their approach to fit the pet’s personality. Pete’s results were immediate. “He actually yanks me to go inside,” Kratochvil says of subsequent visits. “He thinks everyone on staff is his best friend.”
