Opinion
Our industry has appropriately migrated to more individualized health and risk assessments for dogs, cats and horses based on their expected lifestyles. In recent posts we asserted how onboarding communication processes can extend the level of client-veterinary team interactions beyond the next vaccination or blood test and improve perceptions of veterinary care.
We also believe some interactions can take place virtually and eliminate some physical visits. These virtual visits could involve veterinary nurse-techs, trainers, boarding teams and others in the extended pet care community.
Do your new client appointments establish collaborative and supportive partnership with the caregiver client, including timely, empathetic, planned communications?”
Recent experiences underscore the positions taken here as my son’s family made decisions* about my favorite bird dog, Costa, and my opportunity to rehome Little Buddy**.
AHD Bulletin Source posts:
- Post #1, Clients with new pets need more time with vets, AHD. Link.
- Post #2, Clients with new pets need more time with vets, AHD. Link.
Experiences from 60 years of pet ownership, more than 35 years in the formal animal health business, preceded by 20 years of raising dogs semi-commercially and ensuring my children grew up with dogs shape my observations. Onboarding support as described would be welcomed instead of, “. . . call us if you have any questions.”
INSIGHTS: For those curious, Little Buddy is enrolled in a wellness plan to amortize his expected and ongoing prevention and health care needs.
* Kudos to the veterinary team at Cooper County Animal Hospital Pc, Booneville, Missouri, who supported the decision making for Costa’s comfort in his last months and end of life.
** Adjusting to being the sole caregiver for Little Buddy after months of no pets, plus having never been a sole caregiver continues to require adjustments. Rehoming a 5-month-old puppy has proven much different than starting with a 12-week-old puppy or mature dog. Be assured however, I would not change my decision.