Pet Parent Resources

Pain, especially chronic pain, can be difficult to identify in dogs and cats. Because pain can contribute to problem behaviors and significantly impact an animal’s quality of life, we recommend client use the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index for dogs, and the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) for cats.

These questionnaires give us numbers that can be used to screen for chronic pain, and to assess the efficacy of our treatments over time.

Fear Free Happy Homes is a resource platform and philosophy for pet owners, offering expert-reviewed, science-based education to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in pets, making vet visits, grooming, and daily life more positive by promoting gentle handling, positive reinforcement, and careful observation of pet body language, with the aim of creating calm, confident, and happy companions. It's part of the larger Fear Free initiative, providing owners free access to articles, videos, and tools to implement these humane techniques at home and with professionals.

Here are some resources we find especially useful for pet parents looking to improve the life of their pet:

• Cats 101

• Dogs 101

• Training and Socialization

• Separation Anxiety

• How to prepare your pet for a veterinary visit

• Giving medications to your pet

• How to manage a Fear Free return home

• Muzzle Training Education

• A Fulfilled Dog is a Happy Dog

• Training Session Lengths

• DIY Enrichment Ideas for Dogs

• Preventing Separation Anxiety

• A guide to Fear Free nail trims at home

• Training as Enrichment: Basic Skills

• Training as Enrichment: Walking & Moving

• Training as Enrichment: Doggie “Spaw” Day

• Senior Dogs: Special Concerns & Solutions

• Leash Reactivity

• How to help your cat’s scratching

• Resource Guarding