It’s safe to say that most veterinarians go into animal medicine because they love animals and want to help them. But in the day-to-day business of doing exams, treating various medical conditions, and helping pet owners through agonizing decisions about their companions’ end-of-life care, the pure joy of simply loving on an animal can get lost.

But as one vet demonstrates, veterinary care sometimes means providing some personal cuddle comfort. Dr. Kris Vine, DVM, a veterinarian in Las Vegas, was captured giving a new patient, a scared Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, some affection and reassurance in the middle of his exam.

Watch the moment that won the internet

“My new patient was scared to get his vaccines so I had to give him some lov’n between each one,” Dr. Vine wrote. “He did good.”

@dr.vinethevet my hope is to make your pet’s visit as comfortable as possible. #fypage #dog #veterinarian #doctor #pets #fypシ゚viral ♬ Eternal Sunshine – Woody🤠

my hope is to make your pet’s visit as comfortable as possible. #fypage #dog #veterinarian #doctor #pets #fypシ゚viral ♬ Eternal Sunshine – Woody🤠

The doggo puts his paws up on Vine’s chest and nuzzles his little face into him, and we can see by the tail between his legs that the poor thing is terrified. But he finds comfort in Vine’s soothing strokes. “I’m not only their doctor, but their safe space as well,” Vine tells Upworthy.

Vine’s hope is to make the animals in his care as comfortable as possible, and people are loving seeing his genuine, patient compassion for the frightened pup.

“Perfect example of real compassion a person has inside of them both for himself and his job,” wrote one person. “So touching.”

“Omg why can’t all vets AND groomers be like this?!!! ,” wrote another. “I dropped my last groomer cause I didn’t like the tone she used with my baby.”

“It is good to receive love ❤️ to help get through our fears ❤️ ,” shared another.

Why vet visits are so scary for animals

It’s so true. Lots of animals are afraid to go to the vet, especially if they associate it with something painful or negative. Having a caring, compassionate vet who goes out of their way to provide comfort to a frightened furry friend can make a big difference in how an animal feels about vet visits.

To be fair, vet visits can be scary. Plenty of humans have anxiety about going to the doctor even when we fully understand why we need to go. For an animal, it’s just an unfamiliar place with strange smells and harsh lighting where someone pokes and prods them without their consent. Many pets have to be put into a carrier and ride in the car to go to the vet, which may cause them stress. Vets can do a lot to ease an animal’s fears, but owners can do even more at home beforehand to prepare their pet for a vet visit.

5 ways to make vet visits less stressful

PetLife Animal Hospital recommends these steps to help animals feel more at ease about going to the vet:

1. Make Car Rides Positive

If your pet only goes in the car to visit the vet, they may associate car rides with fear. Take them on short, enjoyable rides and reward them with praise or treats afterward to help break the negative association.

2. Turn the Carrier into a Comfort Zone

Keep the pet carrier out at home—not just when it’s time to leave. Line it with soft blankets, place treats inside, and let your pet explore it at their own pace. This turns the carrier into a familiar, safe space.

3. Schedule “Happy Visits”

Stop by your local vet office or animal hospital just to say hello! Let your pet meet the team, get a treat, and leave. No needles. No exams. Just good vibes and friendly faces.

4. Stay Calm and Confident

Your pet looks to you for cues. If you’re calm and positive, it helps them feel safe. Use a cheerful voice, avoid rushing, and reassure them with gentle touches.

5. Talk to Your Vet About Extra Help

Some pets need a little more support. Ask about calming sprays, anxiety-reducing supplements, or even prescription options if needed.

Vet visits can be stressful, but there are steps to make them easier for everyone. Photo credit: Canva

Making sure our pets get the medical and emotional care they need is an important part of pet ownership. Finding a caring vet is a big part of fulfilling those responsibilities, so thanks to Dr. Vine for setting such a beautiful example.

You can follow Dr. Vine on TikTok.

This article originally appeared one year ago. It has been updated.

A single door can open up a world of endless possibilities. For homeowners, the front door of their house is a  gateway to financial stability, job security, and better health. Yet for many, that door remains closed. Due to the rising costs of housing, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of safe, affordable housing. 

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has made it their mission to unlock and open the door to opportunity for families everywhere, and their efforts have paid off in a big way. Through their work over the past 50 years, more than 65 million people have gained access to new or improved housing, and the movement continues to gain momentum. Since 2011 alone, Habitat for Humanity has expanded access to affordable housing by a hundredfold. 

A world where everyone has access to a decent home is becoming a reality, but there’s still much to do. As they celebrate 50 years of building, Habitat for Humanity is inviting people of all backgrounds and talents to be part of what comes next through Let’s Open the Door, a global campaign that builds on this momentum and encourages people everywhere to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. Here’s how the foundation to a better world starts with housing, and how everyone can pitch in to make it happen. 

Globally, almost 3 billion people, including 1 in 6 U.S. families, struggle with high costs and other challenges related to housing. A crisis in itself, this also creates larger problems that affect families and communities in unexpected ways. People who lack affordable, stable housing are also more likely to experience financial hardship in other areas of their lives, since a larger share of their income often goes toward rent, utilities, and frequent moves. They are also more likely to experience health problems due to chronic stress or environmental factors, such as mold. Housing insecurity also goes hand-in-hand with unstable employment, since people may need to move further from their jobs or switch jobs altogether to offset the cost of housing. 

Affordable homeownership creates a stable foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood for good health and stable employment. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes with individual families, but it also strengthens entire communities as well. The MicroBuild® Initiative, for example, strengthens communities by increasing access to  loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes. Habitat ReStore locations provide affordable appliances and building materials to local communities, in addition to creating job and volunteer opportunities that support neighborhood growth. 

Everyone can play a part in the fight for housing equity and the pursuit of a better world. Over the past 50 years, Habitat for Humanity has become a leader in global housing thanks to an engaged network of volunteers—but you don’t need to be skilled with a hammer to make a meaningful impact. Building an equitable future means calling on a wide range of people and talents.Here’s how you can get involved in the global housing movement:

Speaking up on social media about the growing housing crisis 

Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build in your local community

Travel and build with Habitat in the U.S. or  in one of 60   countries where we work around the globe

Join the Let’s Open the Door movement and, when you donate, you can create your own personalized door 

Shop or donate at your local Habitat ReStore

Every action, big and small, drives a global movement toward a better future. A safe home unlocks opportunity for families and communities alike, but it’s volunteers and other supporters, working together with a shared vision, who can open the door for everyone. 

Visit habitat.org/open-door to learn more and get involved today. 

After 34 years of being America’s favorite budget airline (or most notorious, depending on who you ask), Spirit Airlines ceased operations at 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. The airline had been experiencing financial difficulties since the late 2010s, and after negotiations with the Trump Administration to secure a $500 million bailout stalled, it ceased operations.

“It is with great disappointment that Spirit Airlines has started winding down its global operations, effective immediately,” the airline said in a statement on May 2. “All flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available. While we are not able to help rebook your flight on another airline, we will automatically process refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card to the original form of payment.”

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Captain Jon Jackson took the final flight of his career as a passenger

Spirit’s closure will result in 17,000 people who were directly or indirectly involved with the airline losing their jobs. Among them is Captain Jon Jackson, a pilot who was planning to retire after his scheduled final flight with the airline on May 2. However, the flight from Fort Lauderdale to Baltimore was canceled, so he instead flew to Baltimore on Spirit’s one-time competitor, Southwest Airlines. It must have been hard for Jackson, whose entire career led up to that final flight, where he would receive the ceremonial water cannon salute, to come up one leg short on his journey.

Spirit Airlines is no more.The budget carrier announced early Saturday morning that it was ceasing operations after failing to secure a $500 million federal bailout.CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reports from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which used to be… pic.twitter.com/XjKJHhyktg— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 3, 2026

Spirit Airlines is no more.The budget carrier announced early Saturday morning that it was ceasing operations after failing to secure a $500 million federal bailout.CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reports from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which used to be… pic.twitter.com/XjKJHhyktg

Jackson’s son, Chris, is a Southwest pilot, and he notified his coworkers that his father would be flying on the final leg of his career as a passenger on the airline.

“Chris casually mentioned to the flight’s Pilots that this would have been his dad’s retirement flight,” Southwest wrote on Facebook. “They seized the opportunity to change the course of the day for Capt. Jackson.”

So Southwest arranged an impromptu celebration at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The airport’s Fire & Rescue team greeted the airplane upon arrival with a traditional water cannon salute. Upon exiting the flight and arriving at his gate, he was handed a bottle of champagne by the Southwest staff. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jon Jackson!” a woman said over the loudspeaker at the gate, to a round of applause from employees and travelers alike.

Southwest’s gesture for the retiring captain was pure class

“This is overwhelming, I can’t thank you all enough, it’s, you know, as Spirit goes down, this is a sad day, and you guys made it incredible, so thank you so much,” Jackson said at the agate.

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After decades of competition among airlines, Southwest’s show of respect for a fellow member of the aviation community demonstrates that the airline business is about much more than turning a profit.

“It was a powerful reminder of the aviation community’s ability to show respect, compassion, and solidarity when it matters most,” Southwest wrote on Facebook. “Above all, this moment was about honoring a fellow aviator. Congratulations, and thank you for your service in........

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