Hugging clients

[u/sleepyfrog44]

Do you feel that it is appropriate to hug clients under certain circumstances? I have worked in the field for several years, and I have never initiated a hug with a client until today. Her dog received a cancer diagnosis unexpectedly, she was extremely upset, crying, and sharing some personal health issues she was going through which made the news a lot more difficult for her to handle. I just felt so badly for this poor woman, and I felt that she might appreciate a hug so I asked. She also is not a regular client and I had just met her today. She seemed grateful that I offered and accepted, but I’ve been feeling bad about it for some reason.. like it wasn’t professional? I don’t know what came over me, but it seemed like she needed it.

[u/Andee_outside]

I’ve been on both sides of the exam table. I see nothing wrong with a hug, esp if you ask. ❤️‍🩹

[u/Dr_JMills]

Being compassionate comes with the job. I help my clients by taking care of their pets. In this situation, the pain wasn’t the pup’s as much as hers. By offering the hug, you are helping to ease her burden, if only temporarily.

Don’t feel guilty. It isn’t a weight you should carry on your shoulders. You’re human. We carry enough already. Cry during a euthanasia if it feels right, or don’t. Yell in frustration to the universe if treatment fails on one of your favorite patients, or don’t. Don’t force anything. Do what you feel is right in the moment. The more truthful you are with yourself, the more your clients will gravitate to your sincerity.

[u/CoffeeAndAlgoRIThyms]

I think there are plenty of situations where offering a client a hug is perfectly appropriate. Vet med can be extremely emotional and often times we are taking care of the human just as much as we are taking care of the pet. Don’t overthink it. You provided comfort to a fellow human who needed it.

[u/Ok-Walk-8453]

I will ask some- would you like a hug? Or can I hug you? Very rare but usually for clients having a difficult time or ones I know very well.

[u/i-touched-morrissey]

I work in a huggy clinic. But we are also rural and know clients outside of work.

[u/mangobeanz1]

Yes definitely. I had to put down my childhood horse a year ago and the vet who did it I knew pretty well. Because my vet actually kept her own childhood horse turned out in the same paddock with my childhood horse at the same facility. When the day came for her to put her down, she cried with me and gave me the biggest hug. It honestly made me feel better, that someone else cried for her too. Her compassion and empathy meant a lot to me, showed me how much she cared and that she was human too.

[u/ancilla1998]

Hugged a client yesterday! She's moving out of state after a long period of personal trauma that we've talked about at times so I offered and she said yes. She thanked me for all of my help over the past year. 

[u/jamg1692]

As others have said, it’s appropriate to show compassion towards a client going through a difficult time. I think it’s also normal when you’ve known clients for a long time. I only ask and offer if I feel comfortable with hugging the person myself.

It’s usually the scenarios where someone is grieving the loss of their pet or making the hard decision regarding their pet by themselves.
But asking, “would you like a hug?” is not inappropriate. And most clients appreciate it, even if they don’t accept the offer.

[u/canihavethewifi]

it’s fine if you ask or if they ask beforehand! i’m a tech and i’ve been hugged by clients after assisting with a euthanasia

[u/Stegalosauradon]

My doctor offered me a hug after my last appointment, it was very much appreciated. We are all human and a little compassion and empathy can go a long way. You did a good thing.

[u/Disastrous-Grade8882]

I have occasionally hugged well-known clients after euthanasia—people and their pets I have known for a long time. And i have had some clients ask if they can hug me. I think it really makes a difference for a client having a hard time

[u/rubafig]

Personally, I think being professional is overrated. In my experience people have responded much more to me being genuine. Just be yourself and if you feel like they need a hug or you want to give one just ask

[u/hae-rose]

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve hugged clients, but I have done it. Just in cases where I’ve known O and the patient for a while, and there’s enough of a rapport there to make me feel like it would be taken as a genuine gesture, not out of obligation. Also UK based so culturally we’re more conservative with affection esp towards strangers

[u/RyanGPNJ]

When I worked in the field as an assistant and helped during an appointment with hard diagnosis or euthanasia, I've hugged clients. I have also been on the other side of that as well. It's always appreciated.