Fear Free Approach
In recent years, many veterinary practices have shifted towards a new approach to helping animals feel safe and secure in the clinic. These techniques, called “Fear Free”, aim to decrease stress and fear responses in animals as much as possible, while still being able to conduct adequate exams and treatments. The Fear Free approach aims for a patient-led experience, allowing animals to move about freely with minimal restraint, using relaxing sedatives if needed, and avoiding things that typically induce fear, such as metal exam tables, white coats, and loud noises.
Balancing Act while treating wildlife
In the Wildlife Medical Clinic, creating an environment that minimizes fear and stress is essential for the wellbeing of our patients. In many cases, low stress handling can mean the difference between life and death for wildlife. Uncontrolled stress in animals can suppress immune function and delay healing times, which makes recovery exponentially more challenging for patients. This effect is even more exaggerated in our wildlife friends, as a vast majority of the animals we see in the clinic have no prior experience with humans or handling, and consequently view us as terrifying, dangerous predators. However, this fear response is something that we want to preserve in wildlife, as animals that become too acclimated to humans may not be able to be released back into the wild. Thus, the Wildlife Medical Clinic works to ensure that an adequate balance is upheld when treating wildlife – animals should be handled in a way that creates the least amount of stress as possible, while also ensuring the animals do not become too comfortable around people.
Low Stress Techniques for Wildlife
While wildlife patients are in our care, there are numerous strategies that Wildlife Medical Clinic volunteers employ to uphold a low-stress environment for our wild friends. First, direct handling of wildlife species is restricted to only what is medically necessary. This may be for physical exams, medication administration, or wound care. Since this is the most stressful time for our wildlife friends, it’s important to remain hands-off until required. Direct handling of wildlife will always be stressful to some degree, but multiple techniques are implemented to promote a calmer experience while exams are conducted. For example, most bird species, from finches to falcons, calm down when their eyesight is restricted. You will often see volunteers using soft towels or pillowcases to cover the heads of birds, and we even have special hoods for raptor species to minimize stress. Additionally, for extremely stressed patients, sedatives can be administered to decrease the animal’s fight or flight response, allowing for a calmer patient and easier exam. Volunteers also always keep their voices low and calm while handling wildlife, to avoid startling patients with loud noises.
You can see low-stress techniques being utilized throughout the Wildlife Medical Clinic, even when animals are not being directly handled. All animals receive their own cages to rest in while they recover. These enclosures can be covered by a towel or blanket to block sightlines and help the animal feel secure and safe in their space. Additional hiding places and enrichment may also be included inside the cages as an added means of security for the patients. Patient holding is located in rooms separate from the rest of the clinic, which helps to minimize the amount of noise and commotion the animals are exposed to. Ambient noise makers are also used inside of these rooms to mimic the natural sounds of the outdoors while they recover.
While being removed from the wild can be quite stressful for our patients, the time and dedication of our volunteers to ensure their stay is as low-stress as possible helps aid in the success of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, allowing animals to recover quicker and be returned to the wild safe and sound.
Written By: Kayla, Class of 2028
