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Considerate Approach: Auditory Stimuli/Surfaces

Sounds: Set a more serene scene in the veterinary hospital environment by incorporating soothing sounds,
minimizing exposure to sounds of concern.
Action How/Method
Lessen the volume • Use noise reduction strategies, including insulation and noise barriers/panels that dampen
and travel of sounds sound travel throughout the hospital. This may also include use of portable dampening
throughout the methods to reduce the transmission of sound, like an insulated doorstop or rolled towel
hospital, using noise placed under the exam room door.
reduction measures
Set a serene, white • Neutral white noises help to fill the sound atmosphere with a backdrop that dampens
noise backdrop other sounds and reduces the jar of sudden noises.
• White noise that’s chosen should be neutral to the animal.
• Some sounds that are neutral for people, such as the sound of rain on a white noise
machine, may not be calming for all animals, especially for those with sound sensitivity to
thunderstorms, who may associate the sound of rain with a scary noise event.

• A white noise machine may be used to produce the backdrop sounds, or white noise may
be produced from another source, such as a trickling fountain.
• White noise can be used in addition to calming music to provide an extra barrier of
acoustical protection to lessen noise disruptions.
Play soothing sounds • Provide a calming acoustical environment throughout the hospital by playing soothing
through calming music and audiobooks.
music and audiobooks • Calming music choices include:
- Species-specific music that’s set near the pet’s resting heart rate and that plays in tones
animals hear best, like Through A Dog’s Ear, Through A Cat’s Ear, and Pet Acoustics
- Calming genres of music include certain choices of classical music, reggae and soft rock
- Audiobooks (like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that showed calming effects on
shelter dogs Other choices might include Decoding Your Dog and Cat Sense.).
- Consider rotating the calming music that’s played for animal patients; especially those in
long-term treatment or care.

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Sounds: Set a more serene scene in the veterinary hospital environment by incorporating soothing sounds,
minimizing exposure to sounds of concern.

Action How/Method
Reduce exposure to • Consider hospital sounds that may increase FAS and find ways to minimize animal exposure
concerning sounds of to these sounds.
the veterinary care • Note that some sounds of concern may not even be audible to human ears; such as the
environment sounds of an ultrasonic dental cleaner.
• Consider quieter versions of equipment when possible; including softer-sounding clippers.
Consider not only the patient’s exposure, but also the nearby animals that are likely to hear
sounds as well to position the care procedure in a space that's located away from an area that
may disrupt resting or recovering animals.
• Lower the volume on equipment, phones and other noise-making equipment when possible
to reduce the startle response or disruption that can be caused to resting and recovering
animals and those in care.
• Animals undergoing care procedures that are likely to produce noises of concern for the
animal may benefit from noise reduction measures; including Mutt Muffs, Happy Hoodies, or
cotton balls temporarily placed in the ears during the procedure. Conditioning animals to the
placement and wearing of these devices further improves the success of wearable sound
reduction measures.
• Take care to lessen the volume of voices and other actions performed throughout the
hospital (such as intentionally lifting the cage door latch for a softer close rather than the
door slamming shut). Noise monitors can be used to create a greater staff awareness of the
acoustical environment they’re producing (including those that provide yellow caution and
red stop lights when it’s getting too loud and those that stay in the green for “go” when the
sound levels are satisfactory and soft enough for animal patients. Try searching the Internet
for “decibel meter stoplight” ).
• Move patients who do not need ongoing monitoring into quieter areas that are away from
high traffic and treatment areas when possible.
Minimize exposure • Consider FAS reduction strategies for in-kennel animals to reduce stress-related
to animal vocalizations in kennel and treatment area housing spaces. This may include:
vocalizations • Enrichment strategies that lessen stress and provide outlets for natural, species-specific
behavior.
• Modify the environment to reduce animal exposure to concerning stimuli that can increase
the likelihood of vocal responses (such as providing adequate space and using visual barriers
between patients when possible as they move through the hospital, receive care and rest in
treatment or boarding area kennels).
• Ensure that the underlying causes of vocalizations (such as fear, anxiety, stress, pain,
frustration, or high arousal) are identified and addressed with veterinary overseen measures
that address the root cause and help the animal to settle and relax.
• Consider noise-insulating measures, such as sound panels, that help to contain and
minimize potentially FAS-increasing sounds that may carry throughout the hospital.
• Setup species-specific treatment and boarding area spaces as cats may be especially
sensitive to being around dogs).

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Surfaces
Surfaces: Set a more serene scene in the veterinary hospital environment by providing stable surfaces for animals to
walk and rest on.
Action How/Method
Provide secure, Minimize slip-and-scare situations for animals by offering nonslip, stable surfaces, including portable
stable footing using nonslip mats, that can be used to cover slick surfaces like the exam and treatment area tables and
nonslip surfaces floors.

Provide Many cats prefer a warm surface, such as a blanket or towel. Some dogs might prefer a cool surface,
temperature- depending on the ambient temperature.
appropriate surfaces

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