About this Event
Your pet's vet visit can be calm, predictable, and actually helpful — for your dog and your vet.
Join Dr. Mary Biesiadecki in collaboration with Daack Pack for a free, community-focused seminar that walks you through why the vet can be scary for pets, how to recognize fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS), and (most importantly) what you can do at home to make future visits smoother. This seminar is focused on practical, evidence-based guidance you can start using today to support a less stressful vet visit.
What we’ll cover
- What happens at the clinic (exams, injections, blood draws, x-rays, kennel stays) and why those things can be stressful for pets.
- Signs of FAS in dogs (subtle to obvious) so you can spot stress before it escalates.
- Why vet-visit stress matters; for your dog’s care, you, the veterinary team, and the veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
- Bite-size, at-home training and desensitization: crate/table work, wobble surfaces, handling ears/feet/face, muzzle/mocking, and low-noise grooming prep (clippers, grinders, baths).
- Quick wins to build confidence in your pet.
- How to plan “happy visits,” communicate with your clinic, and make appointments that gives everyone time and space to succeed.
- Pannel Q&A Discussion with Dr. Biesiadecki and Allison Daack, Applied Animal Behaviorist, allowing you leave with a clear plan.
Who should come
- New dog owners, busy professionals, puppy owners, if you have a pet with special medical needs, and any caregiver who wants fewer freaked-out moments at the clinic.
- Owners of shy, fearful, anxious, reactive dogs or dogs who can display aggressive behaviors in the clinic setting who need a practical, kind plan.
- Veterinary, dog training, shelter, and grooming staff who want to deepen their understanding of client-side preparation.
Format & logistics
- Free community event — interactive presentation + Panel discussion: Q&A.
- The seminar will be available remotely and in person, the in person seminar is a dog free space (service dogs withstanding) to support human learning.
- Accessible space; ASL and other accommodations available upon request. Let us know if there is a way we can support you
- Capacity is limited, RSVP to reserve your spot in person and tell us about accessibility or participation needs: bark.
- Location: Daack Pack, 2528 Yorktown Ave, Sacramento, CA.
Why this matters
A calmer, better-prepared patient means safer, faster, and more complete, effective care — for your dog and for the veterinary team. Come learn realistic, humane steps you can do in minutes a day that add up to less stress, fewer sedations or the need to muzzle, and better medical outcomes.
Brief Bios:
Dr. Mary Biesiadecki is a veterinarian and educator who has a passion for helping pet owners, students, and clinic teams reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) during veterinary visits. She teaches practical, humane strategies owners and professionals can do to make medical care safer and more effective.
Allison Daack, Applied Animal Behaviorist, designs animal behavior consulting programs for dogs and other animal species. They develop practical, evidence-based curricula and brings a community-centered, inclusive focus on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress — they’ll help translate Dr. B’s clinic strategies into simple, everyday solutions for pet owners or professionals during the panel discussion.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Daack Pack, 2528 Yorktown Avenue, Sacramento, United States
USD 0.00
