Tend

- VET - YES - NO

Tend was a steady kid. She moved with careful steps, like an okapi walking through the forest. Her vet tunic was a little chunky, but it fit her just right. She always carried a stack of small cards in one hand. In the other, she had her animal-consent-tracker.

Tend was small, but very steady. She moved with great care. Her skin was a warm cream color. She wore soft striped leggings, like a baby zebra. Tend watched her animal patients very closely. She always knew what they were feeling. Her favorite saying was, "Slow hands, calm voice, patient first." She used her cards to remember each step. Her tracker helped her make sure the animals were okay with everything. It reminded her to explain things first. She had to watch for signals. If an animal said "no" with a twitch or a growl, she would pause.

The clinic was usually busy. But today, a quiet little rabbit named Barnaby arrived. Barnaby was a puffball of white fur. He sat huddled in his carrier, twitching his nose. His big pink eyes looked around nervously. Tend knew right away Barnaby was scared. She pulled out her treatment cards. The first one said: Explain first.

Tend knelt down slowly. She spoke in a soft, calm voice. "Hello, Barnaby," she whispered. "My name is Tend. We just want to check your paw. It won't hurt." Barnaby flattened his ears a little. He didn't understand the words. But he understood her gentle tone. He understood her slow movements. Tend moved her hand towards the carrier. She stopped before touching him. She watched his nose twitch. She watched his ears.

Barnaby's nose twitched faster. His body tensed up. That was a "no" signal. Tend knew it. She pulled her hand back. "Okay, Barnaby," she said, still soft. "We can wait." She sat quietly for a moment. She let Barnaby get used to her. She pulled out another card. It said: Watch for signals.