There you are, stuck in the car waiting impatiently to speak by cell phone to the vet while your animal is feeling confused, afraid, and somewhat abandoned leaving you behind while being taken inside the veterinary practice.

How can you assist your animals to cope with this sudden and upsetting change in procedures?

What makes this even more difficult is that you, yourself, may be uncomfortable with allowing your sick and frightened companion to be led or carried away.

Being worried about your animal's health also adds to the stress of the situation you're both feeling.

Going to the vet is never easy for an animal, or for their human companion. With everyone following rules about masks and distancing, many people have tried to avoid taking their animal companions to see the vet unless absolutely necessary.

Others have been delighted to find veterinarians in their local area who will come to their homes, but veterinarians who do this are relatively rare.

When your animal is very sick and really needs medical attention, you don't have much choice -- your animal has to see the vet, even if you can't go inside with your animal companion.

This has let to many animals being traumatized. I've had quite a few clients calling me after the vet visit asking how to help their animal recover emotionally and how to rebuild trust with their animals.

Some advanced preparation can help minimize this and even prevent it from happening in many cases.

IMPORTANT:  If you know that this type of vet visit will be difficult for your animal, make sure the veterinarian understands this. Some animals are more trusting that others. Some animals know the vet and are OK with that person, but if it's a new vet, that will be more difficult.

10 ADDITIONAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

1_ Take time before leaving home for the vet (unless it's an emergency) to explain to your animal that you're taking him/her to the vet and why. If you know what the vet is likely to do, tell your animal.

2_ Take some Rescue Remedy (5 Flower Formula) yourself, and if the animal won't be having surgery, give some to your animal before you leave home and before you hand them over to the vet staff member.

3_ Let your animal know that you won't be able to come in - that you have to stay in the car. Let him/her know that someone from the veterinary office will take them inside. Be specific. Find out from your vet's practice exactly whether you can take the animal to the door or whether someone will come to the car. Details matter because they are reassuring.

4_ Tell your animal that you'll be on your phone with the vet (if that's what that vet practice promises).

5_ Open your heart center and connect with your animal before you even leave the house. Set the intention to maintain this connection throughout the animal's visit to the vet.

6_ Hold your animal energetically in your heart and reassure him/her that you will be with them energetically for the entire vet visit.

7_ If you know the animal will have to stay for a surgery or x-rays or other tests, tell the animal about this. Even if the animal is already inside when you get this information, the heart connection will allow you to explain it to your animal and reassure her/him that you'll pick them up "later." Find out from the vet when "later" is. Same day? Next day? Then tell your animal.

8_ Imagine your animal companion wrapped in Divine Love and Light.

9_ Ask the animal's guides to be there the entire time and to reassure your companion.

10_ As soon as your animal companion is returned to you, give them more Rescue Remedy (5 Flower Formula), and a real hug. You don't want your cat loose in the car, but make sure your cat can smell you so the cat knows she's back in the right vehicle.

Much can be accomplished In an Animal Communication session towards rebuilding trust and releasing your animal's discomfort after the vet visit. 

Consider scheduling a session as soon as possible after the vet visit if your animal seems to be behaving oddly.