What method can be used to limit visual stimuli for animals?

Using visual blockage is an effective method to limit visual stimuli for animals in a veterinary setting. This technique involves creating barriers that obstruct the animal's view of potentially stressful situations, such as the presence of other animals, busy waiting areas, or unfamiliar people. By reducing these visual distractions, animals can feel more secure and less anxious, which is essential for promoting a calm atmosphere in a veterinary clinic.

Visual blockage can be achieved through various means, such as curtains, screens, or even strategically placed furniture that blocks the view of stimuli that might be triggering for the animal. This method is directly aligned with the Fear Free philosophy, which emphasizes reducing stress and anxiety in pets during veterinary visits.

The other options, while potentially useful in different contexts, do not specifically target the reduction of visual stimuli. Sound barriers focus on auditory input, environmental changes may involve altering the physical space but not necessarily limiting views, and behavioral interventions typically address the animal's response to stimuli rather than directly blocking what they can see. Thus, visual blockage stands out as the most relevant technique for this purpose.