Working With Sensitive or Fearful Pets

Orientation itself is part of the care.

When this approach is helpful

• Fearful, shut-down, or reactive pets

• Pets who struggle with handling or restraint

• Chronic pain with high sensitivity

• Pets who worsen with rushed or forceful care

How I work

• I do not force pets to tolerate handling

• Sessions are paced by the animal’s nervous system

• Choice, movement, and breaks are welcome

• Subtle progress is still movement in the right direction

Why this matters

• pushing increases stress and future resistance

• safety allows pain relief to work better

• trust preserves long-term capacity for care

What you’re investing in

• pacing judgment

• reading micro-signals

• knowing when to stop

• protecting future care access

About frequency

• Some pets benefit from closer spacing

• Others need more time between sessions

• We adjust collaboratively

Bottom line

The goal is comfort, dignity, and quality of life — not compliance.