Doctor visits can make almost anyone uneasy.
There are tests, waiting rooms, chilly exam spaces, and all those little moments that make people tense before anything has even happened. For dogs, a vet clinic can feel even stranger, with new smells, unfamiliar faces, and sometimes a needle waiting somewhere in the visit.
Most pups have plenty of reasons to feel nervous.
But one clever dog in Washington found a way to get through the wait without falling apart.
Instead of pacing or panicking, she settled down with her favorite show, using it to stay calm in a place where many dogs struggle to relax.
Akira’s Unique Way to Pass Time
Akira, a Golden Retriever, enjoys the usual dog activities: playing fetch, cuddling, and spending time with her family.
But she has one unusual trait that sets her apart from the rest. Mel Cies, the hospital manager at VCA Panther Lake Veterinary in Washington, had the chance to witness it firsthand.
While most dogs anxiously pace in the waiting area before their appointment, Akira sat calmly, engrossed in watching squirrel videos on her dad’s iPhone.
“Never in my 7 years working in the vet industry as a hospital manager have I seen a dog so calm at the vet!” Cies said in an interview with The Dodo. “It was so amazing!”
The scene was so remarkable that Cies couldn’t resist capturing it on video.
Squirrels Are Akira’s Happy Place
Soon, word spread about Akira’s ability to remain so calm during her vet visit, all thanks to her squirrel videos. Curious onlookers wanted to know how she managed to stay so relaxed.
Akira’s dad, Darin Beam, explained that Akira loves watching squirrels in their backyard. Once she spots a squirrel, she’s entirely focused on it, nothing else can grab her attention.
Realizing how effective this was, Darin began playing squirrel videos whenever Akira needed to stay calm or still.
“If we ever need her to stay still, we show her a squirrel video,” Beam told The Dodo.
Though Akira enjoys watching her favorite videos, she’s far from a couch potato. She loves playing outdoors and snuggling with her family.
“Akira has really been a blessing!” Beam said. “My wife couldn’t imagine life without her now!”
Unlike many dogs who dread trips to the vet, Akira will be remembered as the calm pup who stayed relaxed, all because of her love for squirrels.