At Arrow Dog & Cat Hospital, the mental and emotional health of our patients is every bit as important as their physical health.
We’re proud to have Fear Free Certified Professionals on our team who are working to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” and provide stress-free visits for all our patients. Founded by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear Free Certification Program was developed by board-certified veterinary behaviorists, veterinary technician behavior specialists, board-certified veterinary anesthetists, well-known veterinary practice management experts, and board-certified veterinary practitioners experienced in Fear Free methods.
To learn more about the Fear Free initiative and how you can help your pet learn to love coming to the vet, please visit https://fearfreehappyhomes.com/
AAHA
AAHA is an organization that accredits veterinary practices for demonstrating a simple standard: excellence in everything you do. Earning and keeping AAHA accreditation requires undergoing routine inspections and examinations on approximately 900 different facets of running an exceptional veterinary practice. Fewer than 15% of veterinary hospitals have earned AAHA accreditation, and we are proud to be one of the few that do. Because when you love pets and people like we do, nothing less will do.
Learn more about AAHA accreditation and what it means here!
The Cat’s Meow
As a certified Cat-Friendly Practice, we go above and beyond to make our feline friends comfortable at the vet.
Many cats have dogs at home, but they do not feel comfortable with dogs they don’t know. Our cat-friendly team is ready to go the extra mile to make sure your pet has the least stressful veterinarian visit possible. How do we do this? We have special techniques to avoid stress in cats, such as minimal restraint and cat-friendly handling for blood/urine collection. We have very comfortable exam rooms for cats where they stay most of the time for their entire visit. We also have a cat-only medical ward, which is quiet and separate from dogs.
Love, Always
Your cat’s enjoyable treatment begins when you walk in the front door. We have a dedicated entrance for cats and their owners, completely separate from those bringing dogs and puppies. Our cat waiting room is quiet and comfortable, especially calming to cats who may already be nervous. The welcoming atmosphere allows your cat to maintain a lower blood pressure and heart rate, which can often be crucial in observing and determining health problems when we examine your pet. From the very first step, we work to keep your cat as calm and comfortable as possible.
Raised by Cats
Our veterinary team is especially interested in treating cats. Dr. Nichole Weinstein is a California native who often jokes that she was “raised by cats” with a doctorate in veterinary medicine and comes from an extended family of cat lovers. She naturally gravitates toward caring for cats and is concerned with making sure your cat has the best care possible.
We’re not afraid to use unusual techniques to ensure your cat is cared for. We’ll examine your cat in our veterinary tech’s lap if it isn’t comfortable on the exam table, or we can use the exam room chair instead if it makes your cat happier. Most cats object to having their temperature taken, so we only do that if it’s medically necessary. Some pets only feel safe in enclosed places and don’t like being out in the open of an exam room if they’re nervous. We’ve even been known to allow a cat to hide in a coat sleeve if it makes the cat calmer and more accepting of treatment.
Gentle Hands
Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s annual wellness exam, and we’re especially sensitive to cats’ feelings about their paws. We’re patient and gentle, taking our time to make sure claws are clipped correctly without upsetting your cat. We never hold your cat by the scruff of the neck because this gives cats an uncomfortable sense of loss of control. Instead, we gently guide their body into the most comfortable position possible for all examinations and treatment.