Fear Free Professionals!!

Animal Doctor Westside

Fear Free Veterinarian

What is Fear Free?

Can you imagine telling your dog, “Let’s go to the vet!” and seeing her tail wag? How about getting out your cat’s carrier and seeing him/her come running?


Local pet owners won’t need to imagine it if they visit Animal Doctor Westside in Manhattan, KS. That’s because Animal Doctor Westside is part of a new initiative sweeping veterinary medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience while at the veterinarian.


Known as Fear Free, the training and certification program helps veterinarians and entire practices modify their procedures, handling, and facilities to help pets feel safe and comfortable while receiving the medical care they need.  We have the additional knowledge to further help care for your pets.

At Animal Doctor Westside, keeping your pet happy and healthy is our goal. Providing medical care shouldn’t cause additional anxiety for your pet. By practicing in a Fear Free way, we can decrease the fear and anxiety of clinic visits which allows us to provide better and more consistent medical care for your pet.


Some changes that clients will immediately see to decrease fear, anxiety, and stress in your pet include: a diverse array of treat options for both dogs and cats; non-slip surfaces in use on the scale, on the floor, and on exam tables; pheromone use; calming music playing in the background; discussion of any fear and anxiety that your pet may be experiencing with their visit; and discussion of the options for helping to decrease that fear and anxiety for your pet.

Pet owners who would like their pets to experience the Fear Free difference can schedule an appointment by calling 785-539-7922.



If you have an appointment scheduled with us, PLEASE help us in filling out our Fear Free Questionnaire prior to your visit. We take our surveys seriously and want to create the most Fear Free experience.

Call us today to schedule an appointment!

Fear Free Gallery

Getting an accurate weight is a breeze with some yummy treats as a distraction and a non-slip mat on the scale!

With the help of some yummy treats as a distraction and a yoga mat to provide non-slip footing this pup didn’t even notice the exam.

The doctor was able to administer this cat’s vaccine without him even noticing with the help of some squirt cheese! This makes for a super easy and fun clinic visit!

With some peanut butter smeared on the table as a distraction and gentle control to keep the pet still, many procedures may be done without increasing fear, anxiety, and stress for the pet.

Getting an accurate weight is a breeze with some yummy treats as a distraction and a non-slip mat on the scale!

Jax and Daisy came in for Jax’s annual exam and vaccines. Jax, the beagle at the top right, is a relatively new addition to the home and had a lot of fear, anxiety, and stress initially during clinic visits. Jax’s owners have been working with him to decrease his anxiety overall and he’s had an amazing transformation! Jax’s owners report that over time he’s become less anxious overall at home. At his most recent visit, he was very excited to be in the clinic since he remembered all the yummy treats that he always gets and his exam and vaccines were done with minimal increases in his fear, anxiety, and stress with those food distractions. In this picture, he is patiently waiting for the veterinary staff to come back into the exam room so he can get more treats!

Using gentle control to keep the pet still, the doctor is able to perform a thorough exam.

Distracting the pet with some soft food (peanut butter, squirt cheese, or canned food) and using gentle control makes any procedure less stressful.

This kitten liked attention so much he decided climb onto the doctor’s shoulders when he didn’t think he was getting enough pets and loves.

Distracting the pet with some soft food (peanut butter, squirt cheese, or canned food) and using gentle control makes any procedure less stressful.