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Fear Free quick tip: Pot holders good for more than just the kitchen
Katie James is an Associate Content Specialist for UBM Animal Care. She produces and edits content for dvm360.com and its associated print publications, dvm360 magazine, Vetted and Firstline. She has a passion for creating highly-engaging content through the use of new technology and storytelling platforms. In 2018, she was named a Folio: Rising Star Award Honoree, an award given to individuals who are making their mark and disrupting the status quo of magazine media, even in the early stages of their careers. She was also named an American Society of Business Publication Editors Young Leader Scholar in 2015. Katie grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism. Outside of the office her sidekick is an energetic Australian cattle dog mix named Blitz.
Veterinary teams can use a few inexpensive silicone pot holders to distract canine patients, says Dr. Julie Reck.
Frequent treat administration-or high-value, long-lasting treats-are a hallmark of the Fear Free experience in the veterinary exam room, and Julie Reck, DVM, shared a new idea for distributing peanut butter or other soft treats at a recent Fetch dvm360 conference.
Inexpensive silicone pot holders, or trivets, can be found online and often have a texture that's great for smearing soft treats on. You can drop it on the floor for the pet and then wash it after the appointment is finished. Often the pot holders come in multipacks, meaning they can be deployed during concurrent appointments for a minimal investment.
Bonus tip: Dr. Reck recommends using single-serving containers of peanut butter during exams. They may be a bit more expensive, but they're beneficial for three reasons:
1. They're quick and easy to open and administer, while being less messy-no sticking your hand down into the bottom of the jar and coming out with peanut butter on your hands.
2. You won't lose your client's attention if you accidentally double-dip into a standard multi-use container. Some clients are grossed out by a popsicle stick being licked by a pet and then put directly back into the peanut butter jar, Dr. Reck says. Then the client loses focus on what you're trying to tell them.
3. If you don't use the whole single-serving package during the appointment, you can send it home with the client as a bonus treat-something that will play a part in bonding them to your practice.
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