How Cross Lanes Veterinary Hospital Makes Visits Less Stressful for Cats and Fearful Pets

Cross Lanes Veterinary Hospital (CLVH) in Cross Lanes, WV, addresses pet stress through two formal programs: it has been certified as a Cat Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) since 2017, and it follows a Fear Free Initiative aimed at making vet visits as comfortable as possible. The hospital also states that it will work to accommodate your pet's individual needs. These approaches are relevant if you have a cat or a pet that gets anxious at the vet and you want a practice with explicit, structured low-stress protocols.

Cat Friendly Practice Certification (AAFP, since 2017)

CLVH holds certification as a Cat Friendly Practice through the AAFP, a status it has maintained since 2017. According to the hospital, this reflects a deliberate effort to understand that cats are unique patients and to continually educate the team about feline needs.

What this means in practice, based on the hospital's own description:

• Feline-specific training and awareness — staff are educated on how cats differ from other patients and what their care requires.
• Individual staff credentials — many of CLVH's veterinarians have earned certificates as Cat Friendly Veterinarians, and some staff members are certified as Cat Friendly Veterinary Professionals and Cat Friendly Advocates.
• Recognition that vet visits stress cats — the hospital explicitly acknowledges that going to the vet can be very stressful for cats and offers a video on steps owners and the team can take together to improve the experience.

If your main concern is how your cat will be handled, the combination of a practice-level certification plus individual staff certifications is the concrete signal to look for.

Fear Free Initiative

Beyond cats specifically, CLVH participates in a Fear Free Initiative. The hospital describes the goal as ensuring your pet is "as happy and fear-free as possible," and states that it will work to accommodate your pet's needs to make the experience comfortable for everyone.

For a fearful pet, this matters because it signals the practice treats stress reduction as part of care rather than an afterthought. The hospital frames it as providing peace of mind for owners as well as comfort for the animal.

What the hospital says it is trying to achieve

CLVH's stated mission is to provide high-quality, progressive veterinary care with a commitment to outstanding patient care and superior customer service. The low-stress programs above are how that mission is expressed for cats and anxious pets.

Practical takeaways if you're deciding

• If you have a cat: the AAFP Cat Friendly Practice certification (held since 2017) and certified Cat Friendly staff are the most specific, checkable indicators.
• If you have a fearful dog or other pet: the Fear Free Initiative and the hospital's stated willingness to accommodate individual needs are the relevant points.
• If you're a new client: the hospital says it is proudly welcoming new clients and currently advertises $25 off your first exam when you book (terms apply).

To confirm details or ask how they'd handle your specific pet, the hospital lists (304) 776-4501 and [email protected] as contact points, along with online appointment booking.