Zero Tolerance Policy
The lockdown during the COVID pandemic affected the overall mental health of the public, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. The mental and emotional distress caused an increase in people seeking companionship and comfort. An estimated 23 million American households became new pet owners during the COVID pandemic. This increase in pet ownership is unprecedented and has led to an increase in need for veterinary care and pressure on our teams, which has led to longer wait times in the emergency room, urgent care centers, service pauses/interruptions, and booked-out appointments for weeks at family veterinarians.
While most of our clients understand the changes that we are all going through, we thank you for your patience and understanding. We have noticed an increase in verbal and even physical abuse toward veterinary staff from some clients who let their emotions get the best of them. This type of behavior is unacceptable. We want to remind everyone that we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to any form of abuse towards our staff.
Any abusive behavior in person or over the phone may result in the person being asked to leave our facility, if needed, escorted away by police, and will no longer be welcomed back to receive any services from our facility.
We know a trip to urgent care or a specialist for your loved ones can be a cause of anxiety for many. Ask us how we can best help you handle your concerns. We are here to help you and provide the best care for your loved ones. We encourage our clients to approach us with questions, concerns, or comments to help us improve the care that we provide. We believe that every pet deserves the highest quality care, and we are committed to providing exceptional veterinary services to meet their unique needs. Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your furry family member.
Learn more about mental health in veterinary medicine: https://www.nomv.org/about/pet-parents/
