Fearful/Anxious
Pets
Applying certified Fear Free® practices for pets experiencing Fear, Anxiety & Stress (FAS)... giving them the peace and calm they deserve.
Fear less, love more...
As a Certified Fear Free® professional, I use specialized, proactive, science-based approaches designed to minimize Fear, Anxiety and Stress (FAS) in pets. Focusing on gentle handling techniques, positive reinforcement and environmental modifications, I treat the whole animal, prioritizing your pets emotional well-being just as much as their physical needs. Understanding pet body language, stress triggers and applying proven Fear Free® methods, I build trust, ensuring your pet feels safe, secure and understood in the comfort of their own home.
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Below are methods I incorporate in my sessions:
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Fear Free® Practices: Involves creating a calm environment, using positive reinforcement and prioritizing your pets emotional well-being to minimize stress. This includes adapting my approach to your pets individual needs, observing and responding to their body language, maintaining routines and using treats and toys to create positive associations.
Sensory Exercises: The same sensory exercises that I implement with pets experiencing sensory loss (see full details under Pets with Sensory Loss), can also help pets experiencing FAS. Working closely with your pet, I will assess which of these activities, objects and exercises offer the most beneficial effects so I can implement them into their regular sessions with me. These exercises will provide mental stimulation, aid in soothing anxiety and help your pet become more confident.
Trick Training: I will work with your pet to train them on new commands and/or tricks. Training pets on new tricks, even simple ones like nose targeting, can be engaging and calming. (Please note I am not a professional trainer, this is a method I use in my efforts to help reduce effects of FAS with your pet.)
Physical Play: Engaging your pet in activities like fetch/catch, tug-of-war, hide & seek or even agility courses using household items will provide them healthy and fun exercise to help burn off excess energy and stress during our sessions.
Scented Calming Toys: Use of scented toys which have scents embedded into the material to stimulate your pets sense of smell and engagement. These toys use different scents to help soothe anxiety and promote relaxation during stressful situations like thunderstorms or being left alone.
Calming Wraps: Calming wraps provide a gentle, consistent pressure that mimics a hug, helping to reduce fear and promote a sense of security for your pet. ​​​​​​​​
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All pets receive customized care sessions that will engage them in mental stimulation and physical activity designed to reduce signs of FAS and promote natural, rewarding and positive behaviors.
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​Keeps pets in their own safe, familiar home environment, reducing pet anxiety and stress.
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Sessions catering to their individual needs and pace.
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GPS Check-in/Check-out feature gives you peace of mind knowing exactly when I've visited your pet and for how long.​
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Highly skilled professional:
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Fear Free® Certified
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Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
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​Licensed, Bonded & Insured
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++ Up to 3 pets per household. Specialized 1-on-1 support is dedicated to the primary pet; an "Essential Care Fee" applies for housemates (basic potty/feed/water).​
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A holiday/peak period surcharge of $15 per visit applies to specific dates throughout the year. For a complete schedule of these dates, please visit the FAQ section.
Fear Free® is an organization founded in 2016 by Dr. Marty Becker, aiming to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in pets by educating pet professionals and owners. It provides specialized certifications for individuals and practices to improve the emotional well-being of animals during care.
RATES
Rates apply to any Snoodlebugs Service*​
$65
1-hour service
$15
Essential Care Fee++
(each additional pet)
Ensures housemates are fed and let out while I focus exclusively on the specialized needs of the primary pet.
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*Excludes Client Coaching sessions which will be priced at their designated rates.
Client Coaching Sessions
"The Calm Connections Series"
$85 per session
The Safe Haven Blueprint: Optimizing Your Home for Peace
Focus: Environmental management to lower your pets daily baseline stress levels.
Is your home working for or against your pets anxiety? In this one-hour deep dive, I’ll assess your living space to identify hidden FAS triggers—from acoustic stressors to high-traffic "conflict zones." I will create a customized Safe Haven Blueprint, designating and optimizing a "personal sanctuary" where your pet can feel secure during storms, visitors or high-stress transitions.
Language Mastery: Decoding FAS Micro-Signals
Focus: Teaching owners to recognize early "whispers" of stress before they become "screams" (outbursts).
Understanding FAS is like learning a second language. This one hour session focuses on the subtle body language signals—panting, "whale eye," or lip licking—that pets use to communicate rising stress. I’ll use live observation and video review to help you "see" what your pet is saying in real-time, allowing you to intervene early and build a deeper bond of trust.
The Resilience Routine: Stress-Free Enrichment
Focus: Building confidence through mental stimulation and predictable daily structures.
For an anxious pet, predictability equals safety. This one hour session focuses on building a Resilience Routine that uses low-arousal enrichment—like scent work, lick mats, and "find it" games—to naturally lower cortisol levels and build "bravery" muscles. I’ll design a daily schedule that balances necessary routine with gentle, positive challenges to expand your pet's comfort zone.
