As pet parents, we all want the same thing: happy, healthy pets who live long, comfortable lives. At Summit Veterinary Care, we believe the way to get there isn’t just through good medicine—it’s through compassionate care that puts emotional well-being first.

That’s the heart of the Fear Free® approach.

As a Fear Free Certified practice, we’ve built every part of our practice around keeping your pet calm, confident, and cooperative—not just for one visit, but for every visit for years to come.

Let’s take a look at why that matters so much for your pet’s long-term health and behavior.

1. Fear-Free Pets = More Frequent, Proactive Vet Care

When vet visits are stressful, they’re often delayed—or skipped entirely. It’s no surprise: if your pet shakes, hides, or needs to be dragged into the clinic, it becomes a traumatic experience for everyone.

But when your pet feels safe and is met with treats, gentle handling, and familiar surroundings, the fear fades. Suddenly, regular wellness checks aren’t a nightmare—they’re just another part of the routine.

That means we catch small problems early, manage chronic issues better, and provide preventative care that helps your pet live a longer, healthier life.

2. Reduces Stress-Related Health Issues

Chronic stress in pets can do more than just affect behavior—it impacts physical health. Elevated cortisol levels (the stress hormone) are linked to:

• Weakened immune systems
• Digestive problems
• Skin and coat issues
• Inflammation and chronic disease progression

Fear Free® care reduces that stress response, helping pets heal faster, stay healthier, and feel more comfortable in their bodies.

3. Improves Behavior and Strengthens Trust

Fear-based behavior doesn’t just make vet visits difficult—it can leak into the rest of your pet’s life. Some pets begin to avoid being touched, hide more often, or develop new fears around carriers, car rides, or handling.

With our Fear Free®, approach, we’re helping pets learn:
“Good things happen at the vet’s office!”

That trust carries over. Over time, pets become easier to examine, more comfortable with grooming or medications, and even more confident around new people or experiences.

It’s not just about behavior in the moment—it’s about emotional wellness over a lifetime.

4. Builds Stronger Bonds Between Pets and People

Let’s be honest: when our pets are anxious, we feel it too. Stressful vet visits can create guilt, dread, and frustration for loving pet parents.

But when your pet feels safe and cared for, you do too.

You’re able to focus on being present instead of managing fear. That strengthens the human-animal bond—and makes caring for your pet feel good again.

Fear Free® Isn’t a Trend. It’s the Future of Veterinary Care.

At Summit Veterinary Care, we didn’t just adopt a few stress-free techniques—we redesigned the whole experience around them. We’re proud to be a part of the Fear Free revolution – designing a better future for veterinary care.