The door clicks shut, and the sound tightens every muscle in the room. Fear arrives before the veterinarian. The air hums with the scent of disinfectant and tension. Fear crouches in carriers, slides under tables, and trembles on cold steel. A happy dog leaning into its vet captures what fear-free care looks like when pets feel safe. Image: Shutterstock In a  2019 study of over 26,000 dogs , more than half exhibited fear during veterinary visits. One in seven shook in terror.

On the evening of June 17, 2025, in Bladen County, North Carolina, a curious dog named Koopa got his head stuck in a tire, prompting a coordinated rescue involving local firefighters, EMS personnel, and veterinary staff.