Social Visits
Social visits are all about protecting the emotional health of your pets, as many dogs are wary of veterinary clinics. This can be for many reasons: the different smells, seeing strange dogs and people in the lobby, being handled by strangers and poked with needles, etc.
If your pet is here for a social visit, the purpose is to create a positive association between your dog and the clinic setting. Social visits will look different for each dog, depending on their fear and stress level in the clinic.
The goal of every social visit is to keep your pet’s stress level low. If your dog is unwilling to take treats or is too stressed to focus, we may discuss rescheduling your visit. We will never continue with the social visit if it doesn’t seem as if your pet is open to the training.
What to Expect
Social visits help your dog build positive, low-stress associations with the veterinary clinic. Using treats, gentle guidance, and behavior-focused support, we work at your dog’s pace to make future visits calmer and more comfortable.
What Happens During a Social Visit
Arrival & Treats
Gentle Exploration
One-on-One Support
F.A.Q
What is a social visit?
A social visit is a short, positive appointment focused on desensitizing your dog to the clinic environment using treats and behavior-based techniques.
Who will work with my dog?
Your dog will always see our Canine Behavior Consultant during social visits.
How can I help make the visit successful?
Make sure your dog is hungry, bring high-value treats or a favorite toy, avoid known triggers beforehand, and give any recommended pre-visit medications.
Are social visits available to new clients?
No, social visits are for current clients only. The training is specific to our clinic, staff, and environment and may not generalize to other locations.
