Show some love to your vet care team

Unlike some businesses, vet care has fortunately remained an essential service, but operations under pandemic constraints have left staff overworked and emotionally drained. CREDIT: PEXELS

CARLEIGH CATHCART

As Valentine’s Day approaches, The Ontarion once again gears up for its Love Issue. Though we typically think of “love” in a romantic context, the reality is that almost all interactions in life are based on some form of a relationship, be it romantic, friendship, professional, etc. Given the unprecedented challenges our society has faced this past year, I thought it might be a good time to highlight why (and how) to appreciate the individuals providing care for your furry friends.

As is true for numerous industries, the veterinary field has been hit hard by the effects of COVID-19. Unlike some businesses, vet care has fortunately remained

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an essential and busy service. However, operations under the constraints of constantly changing protocols have left even the most adaptable of staff overworked, frustrated, and emotionally drained. Here are some things to keep in mind as a pet/animal owner seeking veterinary care.  We don’t like the rules any more

The common policy at most clinics these days includes restricted client access to the building, phone calls as the main form of vet-client communication, and pre- or parking lot payment. These are not arbitrary rules put in place to make your or anyone else’s life difficult, but are a combination of directives, recommendations, and regional status for each clinic.

As a vet student I can confidently say that these rules make your vets lives more difficult, too. As soon as it is safe to do so, many of us will be relieved to welcome clients into the exam rooms once again. (Full disclosure: I lament client-less appointments, even though I understand their necessity. I think they seriously impede the relationship and communication between client and veterinarian. I will be ecstatic once we can resume in-person appointments).  If one goes down, we all do

The reason that veterinary clinics must be particularly adherent to infection mitigation is because they experience the consequences of an infection disproportionately.

Given the relatively small working environments of clinics, combined with limited staff and close-proximity interaction (ex. surgery, animal restraint), a single positive case can result in the closure of an entire clinic. It is not just about the physical threat to staff, but also the interruption in the ability to provide essential services to clients and their pets in the event of an unexpected closure.  We appreciate your support

We don’t blame you for being frustrated.

We’ve had over 10 long months of distancing, mask-wearing, isolation, and interruption to our regular lives. Most of us don’t want you to have to wait in your car in minus 10 C (or plus 30) weather while we vaccinate Fido. We don’t want to call you five times between getting a history, explaining our findings, obtaining your consent for treatment, and arranging payment. And we definitely do not want to increase the stress for you or your animal by separating you at the clinic. But right now, we simply do not have much of a choice.

It’s hard to be patient these days, and we understand that. But please remember that the receptionist on the phone, or the tech bringing Buster inside, or the assistant carrying your food order, isn’t responsible for the rules (or, for that matter, this virus).

We come into work every day, pandemic or not, because we love our jobs and your pets. We’re not the conventional “health care hero,” and don’t expect to be labeled as such. We’re just asking for a little respect (and thankfully, most of you are providing it!).  There’s nothing suspicious going

This may not be on the top of most minds, but I noticed an interesting trend of late where clients’ question, sometimes directly to staff, how they can know that their pet is receiving x-y-z vaccine/treatment/ exam for which they’re scheduled. The honest answer is that you need to trust us.

You need to trust the clinic you’ve been bringing your animals to still strives to provide the best care possible. You need to trust that a heavily regulated, high-standards profession such as veterinary medicine will deliver what is right and what is promised. You need to trust that our doctors – individuals with almost a decade of education who have sworn an oath to serving animals ethically and competently – are doing what they say.

Like many others, I am desperate to return to normal human interaction. This is as true in my professional life as it is in my personal life, and I resent the negative impacts of this pandemic on veterinary staff, clients, and patients. Until the day I can gush over Bella’s adorable face right in front of yours, all I ask is for your kindness and understanding.