I think we all recognize that many cats can find car rides and veterinary visits somewhat stressful and difficult. But the good news is that Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic has been certified through the American Association of Feline Practitioners to be a Cat Friendly Practice. Check out the AAFP website to see what this means to your cat and you! What the AAFP has done is help certified practices to reduce the stress associated with the veterinary visit, along with increasing the quality of care provided to your cat.
When designated as "Cat Friendly", selected veterinary practices have proven they have taken specific extra steps to assure they understand a cat's unique needs, and have implemented feline friendly standards. The Cat Friendly Practice certificate on our wall was earned. We had to meet a comprehensive check list of performance criteria to verify that staff members are especially qualified and dedicated to making every visit as pleasant as possible for you and your cat.
One of the goals of the program is to create a more calming environment. At Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic, we have instigated a "Cat Room" where your cat can relax. This room has a special diffuser in it that allows a "Happy Hormone" for cats to spread through the room. This hormone is produced by mother cats when nursing their kittens, and has been scientifically proven to have a calming, happy effect on nervous cats as well. We have noticed quite a difference in our feline patients since we started with this diffuser. Many of the nervous cats that come into the Cat Room, are soon rolling around and wanting to play with the toys we offer to them, and are much more relaxed about being examined.
Our staff members have also been trained in how to approach and handle cats in a gentle, empathetic and caring manner. At Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic, when you see the Cat Friendly Practice certificate on our wall, you can be confident that your cat will be given exceptional care and attention through all phases of the visit including examinations, procedures and hospitalization. Furthermore, the Cat Friendly Practice distinction shows that we have demonstrated a high level of commitment to excellence in feline medicine. Something which we know our feline friends deserve!
Wendy Korver, DVM
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic
