We’re Under Construction!
With our facility hitting the 25-year mark, it’s time for some significant upgrades and some new additions. Here, you’ll find all the details about what we’re doing, how we’ll operate during construction, and tips to minimize your pets’ stress during this period. We’re thrilled about the improvements and hope you are too!
What Are We Doing and Why?
New Floors:
- Enhanced Safety: Our new non-slip floors in the dog areas provide a secure footing, particularly beneficial for pets with musculoskeletal issues, ensuring they can move around with confidence.
- Feline Comfort: The waterproof floors in cat and human areas create a homely environment, specifically designed to put our feline friends at ease during their visits.
New Pet-Friendly Exam Rooms:
- Expanded Capacity: With the addition of four special exam rooms, we’re doubling our capacity to accommodate more pets comfortably, reducing wait times and stress.
- Tailored Experience: Cats will experience a stress-free journey, entering their exam rooms directly from outside to ensure they won’t encounter a dog. Windows for viewing outdoors (cats love this!) and special perches on walls create an environment to ease feline stress. Dogs will have two new indoor/outdoor exam rooms with a small yard to allow them the freedom to choose their preferred setting for consultations.
- Patient-Centric Design: Our new exam rooms are designed with the well-being of our furry patients in mind, featuring calming colors, soft textures, and strategic layouts to minimize anxiety and promote relaxation during veterinary visits.
Rehabilitation Room with Underwater Treadmill:
- State-of-the-Art Care: Our new rehabilitation room will be equipped with advanced technology, including an underwater treadmill, therapeutic laser, Piezoelectric wave, and specialized exercise equipment, offering comprehensive care for pets recovering from surgery, managing arthritis, or working towards weight loss goals.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Our newly certified rehabilitation veterinarian, Dr. Cherry, together with our rehabilitation team will work closely with pet owners to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each pet’s specific needs and goals, ensuring optimal outcomes and improved quality of life.
Improved Dental Care:
- Enhanced Services: We’re elevating our dental care offerings with three specialty dental tables equipped with state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation to deliver the highest standard of care for pets, ensuring optimal availability and quality of treatment for your pet’s oral health needs.
Removal of Reception Desk and Waiting Room:
- Stress Reduction: In recent years we learned the lobby can be the most stressful area for our patients. By eliminating the traditional waiting room experience, we’re minimizing stress for pets and their owners, facilitating a smoother transition from arrival to consultation, enhancing the overall visit experience.
- Streamlined Check-In Process: Our streamlined check-in process allows for a more efficient and personalized experience, with staff readily available to greet and assist clients upon arrival, ensuring minimal wait times and maximum convenience.
Improved Efficiency and Comfort:
- Team Well-being: Our focus on enhancing efficiency and comfort extends to our dedicated team, ensuring they have the tools and environment needed to deliver exceptional care while maintaining their own well-being and satisfaction in their work.
- Staff Amenities: The remodel includes upgraded staff amenities such as improved break areas, ergonomic workstations, and enhanced facilities, fostering a positive work environment and promoting staff morale and productivity, and that just makes us all smile!
What Can You Expect? How Will We Function During Construction?
- Phase One: As we work on the back of the hospital, our priority is to maintain access to essential facilities, ensuring minimal disruption to services such as doctor exams, dental, and surgical procedures. Many non-DVM outpatient visits will take place in our parking lot. This adjustment allows us to efficiently manage appointments while prioritizing the safety and comfort of all our clients and patients. If your pet needs to come indoors for treatments or sample collections, we kindly ask that you remain in your vehicle. Our staff will provide clear instructions and guidance to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for you and your pet.
- Phase Two: During the transition to renovating exam room areas, we’ll be shifting our focus. Just like during the COVID era, much of our work will spill out into the parking lot to ensure seamless operations. Additionally, we’ll be establishing indoor exam rooms and treatment spaces at the back of the building, repurposing the current dog training room. Thankfully, our dental and surgical suites will remain fully operational throughout this phase, unaffected by the ongoing changes.
- Strategic Scheduling: Our contractors have been instructed to conduct the noisiest tasks, such as concrete cutting, during weekends, nights, and early mornings. Yes, you read that right – concrete cutting may occur as early as 4 am! This scheduling aims to minimize disturbance during our regular business hours.
- Containment Measures: Temporary walls and boundaries will be erected to contain dust, debris, and some noise within the construction area. These measures are designed to maintain a clean and comfortable environment within our clinic space.
- Commitment to Cleanliness and Disease Control: Despite the ongoing construction, our dedication to cleanliness and disease control remains unwavering. We will uphold the highest standards of hygiene to ensure the safety and health of both our clients and their pets.
Preparation for Visits:
- Construction Noise: While construction noise is inevitable, we’re committed to minimizing its impact. With contractors bustling about on-site, we understand that it can be a tad unsettling for our furry friends, especially those who get anxious around people wearing hats or are sensitive to unexpected noises. We’ll utilize our Fear Free skills to help pets through this process.
- Pet Sensitivities: We understand the fear, anxiety, and stress many pets experience when visiting the doctor. Your pet’s comfort and well-being are paramount, and we’re dedicated to providing a Fear Free experience tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Our team is here to provide support and ensure that your pets feel as comfortable and safe as possible throughout this process. We keep detailed emotional profiles for each pet, noting what situations upset them and how they prefer to be handled. We even track their favorite treats!
- Pre-Visit Medications: If your pet gets nervous at ACC, their anxiety may increase during the remodel. Follow our suggested pre-visit medications (affectionately called “Mai Tai’s” by Dr. Markoff!). If past medications haven’t been helpful, inform us well in advance so we can adjust dosages or try alternatives.
- Noise Phobias: Even pets who typically do well at the vet may not enjoy unexpected noises. If you’re concerned your pet may struggle with the sound of construction, let us know. We can prescribe products like Sileo, designed to aid with noise phobias. Contact us in advance so we can address your concerns effectively.
- Bring Treats: Bring your pet’s favorite treats and start rewarding them in the car on the way to ACC. This helps keep them happy and relaxed upon arrival.