VetCor Practices in the News
April 23, 2020
Over the last few weeks, our practices made headlines for their dedication and commitment to doing what they do best - caring for our furry friends while prioritizing the safety of their team, their clients, and their communities.
COVID-19 has inspired many hospitals to adopt alternate appointment models such as curbside, drop-offs, and telehealth. While we navigate the unknown, our veterinarians are sharing their expertise and providing guidance to their communities regarding how to best care for pets during such a challenging time.
Dr. Heidi Sutcliffe of Norwell Veterinary Hospital was featured on WBZ-TV where she educated the public about how to best care for their pets when spending more time at home. Specifically, Dr. Sutcliffe advised pet owners to keep their routines as close to normal as possible and be consistent with feeding schedules. She said doing so “will provide them some structure… they’re very in-tune to your behavior so if you can do your best to remain calm then your animal will as well.”
Meanwhile in Texas, Northside Animal Hospital is Waco’s largest provider of low-cost spay and neuter services. The Waco Tribune-Herald highlighted the hospital’s transition to curbside service and their decision to pause routine visits and elective surgeries in hopes of limiting any risk of exposure in their community. When asked about the decision, Northside’s director, Carrie Kuehl, said, “we have the potential to impact, negatively or positively, a lot of animals and families… at our core, we save the lives of animals, but right now we have to focus on saving the lives of humans.”
Ohio’s Springfield Animal Hospital has also adopted curbside service for urgent visits to ensure the safety of their clients. Their hospital manager, Evelyn Pillion, explained the way their curbside appointments work and that for the time being, Springfield Animal Hospital is only allowing employees to enter the building to limit contamination which Pillion says is working very well.
In New York, Dr. Shari Gaberman of Animal Hospital of the Rockaways spoke with the Rockaway Times to provide clarity about coronavirus and how it affects our furry friends. To clear up much of the misinformation circulating around the Internet, she explained that while pet owners cannot contract COVID-19 from their animals, their pets can contract it from them. She noted the importance of taking precautions if anyone at home has tested positive for coronavirus, saying, “Social distancing is important. Everyone should wash their hands before coming in contact with their pets or pet items. They say not to kiss them or let them sleep with you. Have a plan in place. If you have coronavirus, maybe have another family member or friends take your pet temporarily.”
Animal hospitals across the country are constantly coming up with new ways to continue providing quality care to their patients while taking precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. The general consensus among veterinarians is that our pets need us just as much as we need them and it's vital that we make sure we take care of them the same way we take care of ourselves.
