Laurie's Blogs.

Do you remember back in January when I did the blog entitled "No-one's going to hurt you"?  Well this blog, I wanted to tag onto that one and provide a reader comment that pertained to the original blog.  I hope you enjoy this thread of thought!

Hi Laurie

I can not agree more with everyone's comments!

Our clients and their pet's have a very special bond by the time they start a rehabilitation program. The owners are worried about their pet, the cost, new facility and often times the pet reads the body language of their owner to decide how to act or react in a new situation.

My goal when I meet a new pet is to come out to the waiting area and gush over the pet and the owner before they come into a room with strange equipment and maybe smells.  I am often know as the treat lady.  I prefer that the pet eat a treat from me before they get into the exam/treatment area and the owner give me at least one smile.

Once in the exam room, I will get a history from the owner but using the pet as the subject.  "So, Scruffy, Tell me about your activity level, before your surgery and all the Oscar Award Movies you have been watching lately!"

I like to constantly touch, scratch and give treats to the pet during our history taking.  An eating pet is a relaxed pet.  They quickly learn where my treat pocket is located.  

Explaining the process of what comes next is very important.  The owner can be very helpful if they know what they can do to help.  I will explain the equipment and what each item does and what the pet may think of it and how it might react.  Like one of your members noted before, it is important that the pet have a sniff, lick of the equipment.  

At the end of the appt I praise the pet for a great work out and I praise the owner for the work that they have done at home or encourage them for the work that they will be doing at home.  Owners and pets should leave with a good feeling of participation and the excitement about the progress to come for the next visit.

I love what I do and showing with a smile and encouraging words, pets and clients will believe and trust in you!

L.G