{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-post-js","path":"/blog/fear-free-veterinary-design-a-step-forwards-for-pets-and-vets/","result":{"data":{"wordpressWpSettings":{"title":"Cyclo Group","wordpressUrl":"https://wp.cyclogroup.com.au","blogSlug":"blog","date_format":"d/m/Y"},"siteSettings":{"options":{"showAuthor":true,"customCss":"","projectFooterContent":"

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Cyclo Group has grown to be a national company with extensive experience in design and construction.

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Cyclo was established in 1988, providing commercial furniture, design and fitout services to professional firms in the Wollongong and Sydney area. Since this time, the Company has grown to be the region’s specialist in quality construction, renovation and fitout of professional firms, completing projects across a variety of private and public sector business including accountants, lawyers, engineers, universities, veterinary and medical surgeries, and in all of the Eastern States. Cyclo is a privately owned, passionate family enterprise which spans two generations of experience in the industry.

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Contact us

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Stress in the clinic isn’t just a welfare issue – it’s an operational one. When spaces reduce fear, anxiety and stress, pets accept exams and treatment more readily, owners say yes to recommendations, staff satisfaction lifts and the day runs smoother.

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Crowded waiting rooms, slippery floors and sudden noise are common triggers. Fear-Free design removes these stressors through smarter layout, species separation, acoustics, lighting, materials and air quality – making calm the default for patients, clients and teams.

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When visits feel calm, clinics typically see:

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What is the Fear Free approach

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Founded by American Vet Dr Marty Becker in 2016, the Fear Free movement has one core mission: to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in pets by educating and inspiring those who care for them. The benefits of a Fear Free approach for both pets and those caring for them are increasingly being recognised, and the philosophy is being embraced by veterinary practices and animal welfare organisations worldwide.

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Helping pets remain calm at each stage of veterinary care facilitates more effective treatment in both the short and long-term. But while the impact on veterinary patients can be substantial, the benefits of Fear-Free care aren’t limited to pets. The combination of a soothing environment and seeing their beloved pet having a calmer, more relaxed experience helps to reassure owners that their pets are in safe hands.

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More trust from owners can improve engagement with treatment recommendations and improve staff satisfaction – driving improved business performance, too.

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However, while both professionals and pet owners are increasingly keen to see Fear Free approaches incorporated into pets’ care, their efforts can be hampered by poor design.

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In the past, veterinary and animal care facilities were planned primarily with factors such as hygiene and efficient workflows in mind. While these are crucial considerations, these designs often fail to factor in the impact design choices can have on pets’ emotional state.

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So, what exactly is Fear Free veterinary design?

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Fear Free veterinary design is an approach that helps clinics, hospitals, shelters and other organisations build a Fear Free approach into the fabric of their facilities, prioritising both pets’ emotional and physical wellbeing.

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But it’s not just pets that benefit – it’s their owners and the practice’s staff, too.

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At its core, Fear Free design centres around avoiding overstimulation and reducing the potential for pets to develop negative associations with the clinic or other setting.

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Slamming doors, barking dogs and strong odours are unsettling to anyone – but to pets, these stimuli can be overwhelming. Fear Free design helps to prevent this by considering a wide range of factors, from acoustic control and layout planning to air quality.

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Considerations for Fear Free design:

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Layout planning

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Planning out a new clinic or redesigning an existing facility can seem relatively straightforward: you need a waiting area, consulting rooms, a prep area and theatres, and kennels for your patients. But put yourself in your patients’ paws for a moment, and it might be time to reassess.

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The rules for designing a clinic are less rigid than you might think, and by embracing flexibility you can embed the Fear Free approach at every stage of the patient journey. Separate waiting areas and entrances are a good start – but for some practices, it may be possible to eliminate the stressful waiting room altogether, with curb side check-in or admission directly into a consult room.

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Smaller changes can also make a big difference. Strategically placing visual barriers and designing commonly used routes to enhance the flow of pets and people at busy periods can help to keep stress levels to a minimum. 

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Acoustic control

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Crashing, slamming, beeping, howling: the noises frequently encountered in a busy clinic or shelter are enough to put most humans on edge, never mind pets. Most companion animals, from cats and dogs to rabbits and guinea pigs, have significantly better hearing than humans. They subsequently rely on it far more than we do to answer one key question: ‘am I safe?’

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In an environment where they’re bombarded by loud, hostile noises, the answer is almost certainly a resounding no.

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Fear Free design sets out to address this key issue, incorporating numerous measures ranging from establishing separate, species-specific areas to planning out insulation, sound proofing, construction of sound barriers, and choice of flooring and ceiling materials to minimise noise.

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Expert input in the design stage can make the difference between pets struggling to cope amid a chaotic cacophony of sounds, and beginning to relax in an environment designed to be calming for both them and their humans.

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Lighting

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It’s easy for light to be an afterthought. Artificial lights are simple and easy to install – so where’s the problem? However, both daylight and artificial lighting should both be carefully considered in the design process.

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Incorporating access to daylight can have a significant positive impact on mood and wellbeing for both patients and staff. Daylight helps to regulate circadian rhythms in long-term inpatients and can contribute to reduced stress and anxiety. In human hospitals, natural light has been linked to healing and recovery.

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When it comes to artificial lighting, colour and intensity can significantly impact emotional wellbeing. While treatment areas may require cooler, more natural lighting, warmer lighting in public areas contributes to a soothing environment. Dimmable lighting can help to reduce stress in inpatients, especially during overnight care. At every stage, lighting should be adapted to factor in both the tasks carried out in each area and the impact on patients’ stress levels.

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Implementing Fear Free veterinary design in your practice

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The basic idea of Fear Free design isn’t, in itself, a complex one – but putting it into practice isn’t always quite so simple. From developing architectural designs to picking the perfect odour-resistant flooring, getting it right takes expertise at every stage.

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At Cyclo Group, we have more than a decade of experience designing veterinary spaces and can offer insight and support at every level, with services to suit every budget. We’re committed to designing veterinary facilities with both pets and people in mind, fit for a Fear Free future.

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To find out more about our services and see how we can help, get in touch with our team by filling out the online form or calling us on 1300 292 565 today.

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