We have had a number of clients recently ask about when we might be resuming all in-person and in-hospital visits. While we have allowed some limited in-hospital visits, the recent surge in COVID (we have had several members of our team test positive in the past few weeks), Flu and children’s RSV virus, we are maintaining primary curbside appointments. When anyone on staff is out of the office, it puts a strain on everyone else.
We are seeing a significant number of people each day and minimal in-person contact is essential to preserve the health of our team. We want to emphasize the importance of wearing masks and using hand sanitizer. We will continue all communications via phone and our assistants will continue to meet with you briefly when admitting and discharging your pet from the hospital.
Here is an overview of our protocols:
- For out-patient visits:
- We ask you to remain in your car and call us when you arrive. This allows our team to get your pet’s medical history and ask questions about any issues you want the doctor to address. In addition, if you call from your car, and are in a paid parking zone, we will pay for your parking. Just let us know.
- Our team will let you know when we are ready for you to bring your pet up to the lobby door.
- Please let us know if you will be returning to your car, heading home or running errands.
It is important that you are available by cell phone so that doctor can reach you when needed. The doctor will call to relay findings during the examination, needed care and recommendations for the future. This is your opportunity to discuss your concerns about your pet. If we cannot reach you, the doctor will leave a voice message and an assistant will follow-up with you prior to discharging your pet. - Once the visit is completed, we will send you an invoice via email with a link to pay online, or you can pay at the door with our portable processor. When you return to the patio, please ring the buzzer to let our team know that you are here.
- If your pet is being admitted for a medical procedure, we will call you in advance of your pet’s appointment to gather important information and convey details relevant to their hospital visit. Please follow the specific instructions you are given.
- If you are picking up medication or food and have paid online, you may come to the door and ring the buzzer. Or, you can call from your car if you are parked out front, and an employee will bring your items out to you.
For the safety of our dogs & cats, we are doing patient hand-offs inside the lobby. Dogs must be on leash and cats in a secure carrier. When we are ready, we will invite you inside the lobby for a BRIEF time to pass your pet off to one of our assistants. We ask that you not linger.
Additional Information:
Our veterinarians and staff have all received their COVID vaccinations. However, the safety of our team is utmost and one team member being sick has tremendous impact on our ability to maintain a full schedule. Our veterinary staff works side by side with our doctors all day long, every day. There is no way for us to provide appropriate care to pets and maintain the recommended 6’ of social distancing. As a team we have committed to strict protocols of masking, cleaning and limiting exposure to others outside of our immediate families.
We will be continuing our curbside services for most visits. As staffing and our team’s health allow, we may invite some clients into the hospital for specific visits. We reserve the right to determine when it is safe to allow clients back into the hospital and into our exam rooms.
We recognize that the current situation is stressful for everyone. Please know that we are doing our best to accommodate as many clients and patients as possible, and as such, the doctors are not able to come outdoors to meet with you personally. However, if you wish to schedule additional time with our doctors to discuss your pet’s care, you can arrange for a phone consultation. There is a separate fee to reserve this time and it may be several days before the doctor is available.