Every day, veterinarians see dogs that aren’t at their best. Sick or injured, many are afraid of going to the vet; some have never been. But vets are rock stars at comforting the animals that they’re trying to help.
In this video, Dr. Thomas Hamilton is caring for a scared dog. It’s the sweetest glimpse into how he goes the extra mile to reassure a frightened pup that he only wants to help her and doesn’t want to hurt her.
The first thing he notices even before his exam is that his little patient is scared. So, in the most tender gesture, he scrunches down to her level and gently introduces himself, even telling her that his name is Tom.
Dr. Hamilton is an expert at reading body language, so he knew the dog wasn’t a threat, she was simply afraid. So, in his next step in trying to help her feel more at ease, he lays on the floor in front of her and, in a sign of submission, offers her his face to sniff.
He gives her some gentle pets and asks her if she feels better. But she’s not there yet so the next thing he does is offer her some yummy treats to try to win her over and help her feel like she can trust him.