3 Human Animal Bond Research Institute: https://habri.org/
4 The Compassion Fatigue Project. www.compassionfatigue.org/index.html
2.15 Promoting the Human–Animal Bond
Sarah Rumple
Rumpus Writing and Editing LLC, Denver, CO, USA
2.15.1 Summary
Veterinary professionals should play an active role in promoting the human–animal bond among their clients. At the heart of that effort is client education, with a focus on preventive healthcare and behavior. Education should be taken beyond the typical exam room discussions to include alternative methods that are easily absorbed by pet owners.
When clients understand how to keep their pets healthy and how to properly address potential behavior concerns, fewer pets will be relinquished and euthanized, the human–animal bond will continue to grow, and veterinary practices will flourish.
2.15.2 Terms Defined
Human–Animal Bond: A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors essential to the health and well‐being of both.
2.15.3 The Human–Animal Bond
The human–animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals (see 2.14 Benefits of the Human–Animal Bond). According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the veterinarian's role in the human–animal bond is to maximize the potentials of the relationship between people and animals [1].
How can veterinarians maximize the potentials of the relationship between people and animals? Education is key. While pet owners usually have the best intentions, many do not understand how to provide the best care for their pets so they can enjoy longer, healthier, happier lives together. When veterinary practitioners adequately educate pet owners on how to provide exceptional care for their pets – and why they should provide this care – they are promoting the human–animal bond, which enhances the health and well‐being of pets and their owners.
2.15.4 Client Education Opportunities
In addition to traditional exam room conversations, consider these opportunities to educate your clients.
Enhanced exam room communication: while it's true that much of what veterinary professionals say to pet owners in the exam room is misheard, misunderstood, or later forgotten, there are resources available to aid in your exam room client education efforts (see 5.10 Discussing Pet‐Specific Care). Bring visual aids to support your messaging (images of heartworms or periodontal disease will have a bigger impact on clients than your explanation of these conditions alone). Provide printouts with images, your recommendations, and more applicable information for clients to take home and read later.
Custom literature: invest in brochures and other literature customized to your practice on a variety of pet health and behavior topics. While digital communication and online resources are important, many clients appreciate a tangible resource they can take home.
Practice blog and social media: not only will a regularly updated practice blog do wonders for your website's search engine optimization, it can also be a wealth of credible information for pet owners to reference at the click of a button. Publish links to your blog posts on your social media channels, in e‐communications to clients, and through your practice's mobile app.
Educational open house: invite a veterinary behaviorist or training expert to your practice for an open house. The event could feature lessons on various training techniques or a behavior question‐and‐answer period. Whether your clients have dogs who pull on the leash or cats who are scratching inappropriately, your open house could prove to be priceless when it comes to nurturing the bonds between your clients and their pets.
Community event: host a pet‐friendly community “fun run” that raises awareness about any pet‐related issue you want to promote. Or exhibit at other community events.
The entire veterinary healthcare team should contribute to educating clients on important topics that impact the human–animal bond. Ensure the team is thoroughly trained, hold regular staff meetings for updates and reminders, and empower each team member – from client care representatives to veterinarians – to educate clients when appropriate.
2.15.5 Educational Topics that Promote the Human–Animal Bond
In addition to pet‐specific education, be sure to promote the bond your clients share with their companion animals by educating them on these topics.
Preventive care: it's well established that regular preventive care yields longer lifespans, regardless of species. And when pet owners take exceptional care of their pets, they'll be more likely to enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives together, which strengthens the bond they share and decreases the risk of relinquishment [2]. Veterinary professionals should recommend and promote the highest quality care, including:regular veterinary visitspreventive medicationsappropriate vaccinations (see 9.11 Vaccination)regular oral examinations and professional dental cleanings (see 4.9 Periodontal Disease)reproductive control (see 2.18 Population Control).Your clients should also understand why this level of care is important and how it affects them and their pets.
Fear, anxiety, and stress in pets: fear, anxiety, and stress contribute to health and behavior problems and shorter lifespans in pets [3, 4]. Educate clients on how to reduce stress and anxiety at home, but also take steps to do the same at your practice (see 6.6 Fear Free Concepts). Methods include the following.Create separate entrances, waiting areas, and exam rooms for canine and feline patients.Limit waiting time in the lobby.Use high‐value treats to distract pets during exams and procedures.Create a calm and familiar environment by using pheromone diffusers, infused towels, and wipes.Avoid using traditional exam room tables. Make pets more comfortable by conducting your exam on the floor at their level.Prescribe appropriate medications for pets with extreme anxiety, and instruct pet owners on how to administer the medication prior to the veterinary visit.
Positive reinforcement training methods: dogs who have been trained using positive reinforcement methods are less likely to display behavior problems, including attention seeking, fear, and aggression, than those trained using aversive techniques [5, 6]. When pets develop behavior issues, the human–animal bond suffers, and pets are at increased risk of relinquishment or euthanasia [2]. Provide resources and guidance to help your clients properly train their pets using positive reinforcement methods (see 6.2 How Animals Learn).
Enrichment: bored pets are more likely to develop behavioral problems, and studies show that environmental enrichment improves cognitive functions and reduces anxiety‐related behaviors and neurodegenerative diseases [7]. Encourage