For years, we’ve practised Fear Free veterinary care — using gentle handling, longer consults, treats, and thoughtful clinic design to reduce stress for your pets (and for you, too).

Now, we’re proud to share that we’ve taken things even further.

Rouse Hill Family Vets is now officially recognised as a Fear Free Certified Practice — one of only a handful in Australia to meet this higher standard.

What It Means to Be Fear Free Certified

This certification is more than a badge — it’s a commitment.

Our entire team is Fear Free Certified
Our clinic design and processes have been independently assessed
We meet the highest standards in reducing fear, anxiety and stress in animals

Whether it’s a routine check-up, a vaccination, or surgery, you can feel confident knowing your pet is being cared for in a way that supports both their physical and emotional wellbeing.

What You Can Expect at a Fear Free Visit

We’ve built our whole approach around what’s best for your pet. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Longer Consultations
  We book 30-minute (or longer) appointments so your pet has time to settle, and we’re never rushed.
• Calming Environments
  Separate dog and cat areas, soft lighting, pheromone therapy (Adaptil® and Feliway®), and gentle background music help reduce sensory stressors.
• Low-Stress Handling
  Our team uses positive reinforcement, minimal restraint, and body language cues to make sure pets feel safe.
• You’re Part of the Process
  Wherever possible, treatments and procedures are done with you in the room to reduce your pet’s anxiety and build trust.
• Fear Free Surgery Experience
  You’re welcome to stay with your pet until they’re asleep for surgery. They’ll wake up in a warm, quiet recovery space — often cuddled by one of our nurses.
• Friendly Visits
  We offer free, no-pressure drop-ins so your pet can build positive associations with our team, our clinic, and the whole vet experience.

Meet Our Fear Free Certified Team

Every single team member at Rouse Hill Family Vets has completed Fear Free Certification. We’re trained to recognise subtle signs of stress, and we adapt every visit based on your pet’s needs.

Being a Fear Free Certified Practice means this is our standard — not an exception.