Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, explains what noise phobia is, offering examples

Noise phobia: The phobic response and how it differs from noise aversion 

Noise phobia is a common issue in pets—especially in dogs—Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC explained in an interview with 

where he talked about his lecture “Canine Noise Phobia and the Anxiety Patient.” In the interview, Pachel differentiated between noise aversion and noise phobia and provided an example of a phobic response in a canine patient with noise phobia. He also offered examples of noises that may induce a phobic response in dogs, such as fireworks and gunshots. In today’s digital era, animals may also have a phobic response to noises like cell phone tones and other noises from digital devices, explained Pachel.

To hear more from Pachel, including information about the other lectures that he presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey this fall, click 

 Noise phobia is something that we see as a really common problem and in a lot of different species. Where it tends to show up, at least clinically for us in the behavior world, usually in dogs plus or minus in cats.

But noise phobia is essentially an exaggerated emotional response to noises. And noises— the ones that we often see—are things like fireworks, gunshots, often loud, sudden, unexpected noises or, as we sort of have moved into more of the digital age as well, it's not uncommon to see some of those noise phobic responses to things like high pitched beeps, whether that's tones from a cell phone or the beep of the microwave or the low battery indicator of a smoke alarm, for example—these are all things that can elicit a really powerful response for the animal that's affected.

And whereas a normal sort of noise aversion or a lower-level fear response might show up as an animal who notices a particular noise and then seeks to avoid it, when we're dealing with a phobic response, we're typically seeing an intensity of the response that's so out of proportion to the actual stimulus itself. So for example, one of my patients who responded negatively to things like doors slamming or other again, loud, sudden noises, rather than sort of just startling or reacting and then recovering within a couple of seconds, this was a dog who, when hearing the sound of a door slam, bolted, jumped through a closed second story window and ran for almost 6 miles in one direction before exhaustion essentially stopped her in her tracks, right?

It's such an exaggerated, dangerous response because of that sheer panic that takes over that animal. And we see anywhere from those sort of lower-level fear responses all the way up to really debilitating phobias in those patients who are affected by noise phobia.

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Noise phobia: The phobic response and how it differs from noise aversion

Patricia Kennedy Arrington, DVM, CVFP, has devoted more than 4 decades to advancing veterinary medicine and shaping the profession. A 1971 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Kennedy Arrington cofounded Jefferson Animal Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1978 alongside her husband, Rick Arrington. Although she did not initially aspire to own a practice, her husband’s business insight identified a need for round-the-clock care in the bustling city. By 1980, Jefferson Animal Hospital had achieved accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association and became one of the first veterinary practices to offer 24-hour emergency and wellness care—a groundbreaking model at the time.

A pioneer for women in veterinary medicine, Kennedy Arrington entered the field during an era when women were underrepresented. “Women were not appreciated much back then,” she explained. “I had something to prove, and I wanted to make the profession better.” She has since become a mentor to aspiring veterinarians, encouraging them to get involved in their local, state, and national veterinary organizations.

Kennedy Arrington has earned numerous honors throughout her career, including being named Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year in 2011, receiving the Businesswoman of the Year award from the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2006, and being recognized as a distinguished alumna of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Reflecting on her recognition as a Veterinary Hero, she remarked, “It’s always a ‘wow’ moment to be acknowledged because you never think you deserve it. There are so many incredible people in this profession.”

An advocate for client education, Kennedy Arrington emphasizes its critical role in patient care. “If you explain to a client what’s going on with their pet, they’ll give medications properly and follow through on care,” she noted. She also stresses the importance of continual learning and collaboration, frequently visiting other veterinary practices to exchange ideas. “Every time you visit a practice, you pick up ideas that make you a better practitioner,” she said. “It’s also how you build a network of colleagues around the country and the world.”

Outside of her work, Kennedy Arrington is an accomplished traditional rug hooker, winning blue ribbons at the Kentucky State Fair, and enjoys gardening and traveling with her husband. The pair have explored destinations such as Machu Picchu, China, and Kenya, often as part of veterinary group trips.

Through her innovative practice, dedication to mentorship, and passion for advancing veterinary medicine, Kennedy Arrington has become a role model for veterinarians worldwide. “Veterinary medicine is about being part of the community,” she said. “It’s the relationships with pet owners and the bond they share with their animals that make this work so rewarding.” At 53 years into her career, Kennedy Arrington continues to inspire the next generation of veterinary leaders.

In honor of Kennedy Arrington and 11 other Veterinary Heroes inductees, an award ceremony will be held during the 

2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach

, California, where the winners will be recognized for their unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts within the veterinary profession. The ceremony will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All Fetch Long Beach registrants are invited to attend the award ceremony for no additional fee. 

The 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center

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As a leader in 24-hour veterinary care and a champion for women in the field, Patricia Kennedy Arrington, DVM, CVFP, has dedicated her 50-year career to transforming veterinary medicine and inspiring future practitioners.

Veterinary Heroes: Patricia Kennedy Arrington, DVM, CVFP

Dennis Tim Crowe Jr, DVM, PhD, DACVS-Emeritus, DACVECC-Emeritus founder, FCCM, NRAEMT, CFF, is a hero in more ways than one. This year, dvm360’s Veterinary Heroes program is recognizing him as the 2024 honoree for Emergency Medicine.

Crowe has been practicing veterinary medicine for 52 years. Currently, he is involved with Mobile Veterinary Surgery of Georgia as well as Veterinary Surgery, Emergency, and Critical Care Services and Consulting.

In a letter, Crowe’s nominator wrote that he is the best veterinarian they have ever known.“Furthermore, his compassion for people is immeasurable, in that he is literally always willing to help and loves teaching people, either formally in our profession or informally in day to day life. Tim is either usually devoting his time to helping his fellow veterinarians, their clients and pets,” the nominator continued.

Photos courtesy of Dennis Tim Crowe Jr, DVM, PhD, DACVS-Emeritus, DACVECC-Emeritus founder, FCCM, NRAEMT, CFF

An accomplished author, speaker, educator, and innovator, Crowe has inspired emergency and surgical veterinary procedures that have been adopted worldwide. For example, his work in the 1990s led to the eventual development of cardiac output detection units that are now regularly used in human intensive care units. He is considered a father of veterinary emergency, trauma, and critical care, and was honored the Father of Veterinary Hyperbaric Medicine by Hyperbaric Medicine International in 2019.

Beyond his continued surgical and emergency care efforts to help critical care patients, Crowe has been an active volunteer firefighter and first responder medic for more than 30 years. He is a fellow in the American College of Critical Care Medicine and has been active with the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) Foundation, contributing to the development of the NDLS training programs for veterinarians.

“When he is home at night and weekends, he makes himself readily available to help his fellow man in life threatening distress as a volunteer firefighter, rescuer and EMT medic, where he has been directly involved with saving human lives too,” Crowe’s nominator wrote.

Together with his late wife of 53 years, Deb, Crowe has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. He also enjoys teaching Sunday school to elementary school–aged students, singing, and playing harmonica and guitar at his local church.

Crowe plans to receive his award alongside 11 other distinguished inductees of dvm360’s Veterinary Heroes program during a luncheon celebration at the Long Beach Convention Center. The special event will take place during the 

 on December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All conference attendees are invited to attend.

The 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.

The Emergency Medicine honoree has developed surgical procedures used worldwide and devotes time outside the clinic to volunteer as a firefighter and first responder for humans.

Veterinary Heroes: Dennis Tim Crowe Jr, DVM, PhD, DACVS-Emeritus, DACVECC-Emeritus founder, FCCM, NRAEMT, CFF

Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, SAIM), has dedicated her career to advancing veterinary medicine as a compassionate clinician, accomplished educator, and influential communicator. As the director of pet health information at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City, she not only provides expert care but also ensures that the public has access to reliable veterinary health information through her writings and podcast.

A third-generation veterinarian, Hohenhaus followed in the footsteps of her father, a mixed-animal solo practitioner, who inspired her commitment to community service. "The profession has given a lot to me and my family, [so] I could give back through my volunteer opportunities," she reflected, attributing her ethos to his example. Her service has included active roles with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, and the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City.

Hohenhaus’s career journey began at the Bender School of Veterinary Medicine, after which she spent a year in private practice before joining AMC as an intern. She remained to complete a residency and never left, captivated by the institution and its role in the city. Her clinical focus lies in oncology and small animal internal medicine, stemming from a longstanding fascination with cancer research. “In college, I took a seminar where my research topic was about genes related to the development of cancer. I found it fascinating and have focused on it ever since,” she explained.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Hohenhaus is a celebrated communicator. When AMC’s marketing team asked her to start a blog, she initially hesitated, unsure of what a blog entailed. However, the blog soon became a passion project, featuring stories about challenging cases, innovative treatments, and developments in veterinary medicine. Writing helped her develop a broader appreciation for the profession: “One day I might write about the latest virus, and another day about a puppy with heartworms. It’s helped me to appreciate what goes on in our field.”

Her dedication to sharing veterinary stories has earned her significant accolades, including the DeBakey Journalism Award in 2014 for her article "Dogs Go to Bat Against Lou Gehrig's Disease." She also hosts AMC’s monthly 

 podcast, continuing to connect with audiences far beyond the exam room.

When asked what she finds most rewarding in her career, Hohenhaus emphasized the human connection. “Veterinarians love animals, but the people are the most interesting thing about veterinary medicine. I’ve met taxi drivers who shared stories of their passengers and world travelers recounting their adventures. It’s the people, alongside their pets, that make this work truly meaningful.”

As a recipient of the prestigious Internal Medicine Veterinary Hero Award, Hohenhaus views the recognition as a tribute not only to her but to everyone she has encountered throughout her career. "It's a validation of what I love to do every single day."

For aspiring veterinarians, her advice is simple but profound: “Be passionate about science—it’s the foundation of our profession—but remember, you’ll deal with people every day. The ability to connect and communicate with clients is just as important as your medical knowledge.”

Hohenhaus’ lifelong dedication to veterinary medicine, education, and communication continues to make a lasting impact, inspiring her colleagues and the next generation of veterinarians alike.

In honor of Hohenhaus and 11 other Veterinary Heroes inductees, an award ceremony will be held during the 

A trailblazer in small animal internal medicine, Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, SAIM), has spent decades advancing the profession through clinical expertise, mentorship, and impactful communication.

Veterinary Heroes: Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, SAIM)

Camia Tonge, MS, LVT, VTS (SAIM), is the director of dentistry, exotics, interventional radiology, neurology, and ophthalmology at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York, New York. She is also an honoree in the 2024 Veterinary Heroes program supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, as the award winner in the credentialed veterinary technician category sponsored by Banfield Pet Hospital.

Photos courtesy of Camia Tonge, MS, LVT, VTS (SAIM)

Tonge is a valued member of the veterinary care team at AMC and has 17 years of veterinary career experience. She is currently responsible for clinical and operational management, as well as the supervision, mentoring, and training of the clinical nursing staff at AMC.

Tonge’s journey into veterinary medicine is one of fate. A first-generation immigrant from Antigua, she was the recipient of a full-ride scholarship to veterinary school. When life threw a wrench into her plan, she began researching alternatives and found a veterinary technology program. She knew immediately it was what she was meant to do.

“I was like, ‘What is this?’ You know? [I realized that] I didn’t want to be a vet, I wanted to be [a veterinary technician],” Tonge said in an interview with dvm360. “Fate, or life path, or whatever it is, it really steered me in the direction, inspired me, and made me realize that this is actually what I wanted to do.”

Her role as a clinical educator for the nursing staff is also fate, as her backup plan. Had she not gone into veterinary medicine, she was planning to teach English to elementary school children. The ability to help animals and their owners makes her career rewarding, and she encourages all technicians to pay it forward.

According to her award nominator, Tonge is more than her leadership and professional achievements. “Camia is a veterinary hero because of her warmth, energy, and passion,” the nominator wrote. “Camia truly cares about her colleagues and always exudes a positive attitude. She is inspiring to all those who work with her for her strong work ethic and ability to navigate any situation. Camia is an amazingly kind person, a strong leader, and so very deserving of this award.”

Outside the clinic, Tonge spends her free time listening to music; traveling; reading. She also enjoys spending time with her family in Antigua and relaxing with her beloved bluecoat chihuahua mix, Mr Pupcake.

Tonge plans to receive her award alongside 11 other distinguished inductees of dvm360’s Veterinary Heroes program during a luncheon celebration at the Long Beach Convention Center. The special event will take place during the 

The credentialed veterinary technician category for the 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by Banfield Pet Hospital.

The 2024 honoree in the credentialed veterinary technician category holds leadership positions at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York.

Veterinary Heroes: Camia Tonge, MS, LVT, VTS (SAIM)

2024 Veterinary Hero in surgery Karl Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA, is a member of the medical team at MedVet in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated top of his class from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Saint Kitts and Nevis, where he earned his doctorate degree. According to his award nominator, Maritato was the first to perform minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures in Cincinnati and has repaired thousands of ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in dogs. According to Maritato, he averages between 10 and 15 surgeries daily.

, Maritato shared why he likes surgery. “The honest answer is none of the rest of veterinary medicine appeals to me. I like to do surgery. I can’t say that I knew that from the beginning. I just knew I wanted to be a vet… as I was exposed to the veterinary world, I was just drawn to surgery and what that entails.… I like just the concept of things being broken and me fixing them, and I like working with my hands. I’m a very hands-on learner and hands-on doer. It's probably why I like to garden a lot, because I like to just create, and that's why I like orthopedics. It's why I like helping develop implants and new ways to fix things or improve upon the ways that we already have,” he explained.

Without his support team, which includes veterinary professionals, interns, and residents, Maritato would not have the daily success that he has as a veterinary surgeon, he told 

. “I have a great support team,” Maritato emphasized, saying that it would be “literally impossible” to perform the number of surgeries he does in a day without his “amazing team of surgery assistance, surgery techs, anesthesia techs, anesthesia department, anesthesiologist, [and the] entire team of surgery assistants that runs all the discharges.”

“You know, it takes a huge team—residents, interns. I train residents and interns, and they also, in turn, for their learning, they also help me get a lot of things done, which allows me to offer my skills and knowledge to as many patients as I can do in a day,” he continued.

Maritato’s contributions to the profession extend past his clinical work, having authored several veterinary texts. He was instrumental in coauthoring the textbook “Locking Plates in Veterinary Orthopedics,” addressing a gap in veterinary literature and providing a resource for residents-in-training and experienced surgeons learning about locking plates.

His work in veterinary literature is also, in part, the result of his mentorship, guiding residents and interns through the writing process and teaching them how to effectively critique articles. “Your job, when you read medicine and medical articles… [is] to critique it and understand what was done so that you can apply that to your to your field every day and see what makes sense and what doesn't,” Maritato said. “That’s how you advance the profession. It's not just believing everything you're told. It's truly understanding what you're reading. So, I think by having [residents and interns] write these papers and publish, they understand what goes into… writing, in the research and how to better interpret the things [they’re] being given in other articles.”

On winning this award, Maritato shared, “It just means that my hard work and my dedication to my patients and to the profession is being noticed and recognized. I do spend a lot of time treating a lot of patients and a lot of clients and a lot of referral partners, basically just to try to better the Cincinnati community and everybody that's here, as well as the veterinary community. And I think [winning the award] means that that's noticed, and maybe that's having a positive impact.”

In addition to winning the 2024 Veterinary Heroes award in surgery, Maritato has received various other awards during his career, including the Pfizer Parasitology Award and the Novartis Pharmacology Award.

In honor of Maritato and 11 other Veterinary Heroes inductees, an award ceremony will be held during the 

, California, where the winners will be recognized for their unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts within the veterinary profession. The ceremony will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All Fetch Long Beach registrants are invited to attend the award ceremony for no additional fee.

The paraprofessional category for the 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by MedVet

This 2024 Veterinary Hero is celebrated for his pioneering work in surgery and his contributions to veterinary literature and education