Pulse - May 2022 - 12

while the team expresses anal glands. That's
why creating flexible spaces and providing
opportunities for privacy is important.
At VEG, they have some private rooms
available, and they also have screens they
can set up between exam tables for privacy.
But, while some clients ask for privacy or
to be less involved in their pet's care, the
majority prefer to stay by their pet's side
during a veterinary visit.
" Everyone wanted to be a vet growing
up, right? " said Dr. Crocker. " Everyone
loves veterinary TV shows. This is a real-life
veterinary show going on right in front of
the pet owner. "
The benefits of keeping pets and owners
together:
* Improving experiences for pets and
owners
* Educating pet owners
* Showing the value of what the veterinary
team is doing
* Increasing compliance
* Growing the bonds between veterinary
teams and pet owners
* Nurturing and honoring the bonds
between pets and their owners
* Increasing veterinary team efficiency
The Trend: Viewing Windows into
Surgical Suites and Treatment Areas
" We think transparency is really important,
and that people need to see all of it, "
explained Dr. Steele. " We don't put every surgery
on view. Some have such a high risk that
we don't want to make it a negative experience
for anyone watching, and sometimes
owners ask us for privacy, but otherwise we're
pushing the limit on what we put on view. "
According to Dr. Steele, visitors to Colorado
State University's Vida Building are
excited to watch surgeries through the
Dumb Friends League Veterinary Hospital's
viewing window. As visitors approach the
viewing area, there are signs warning of a
potential surgery taking place.
By inviting school groups and the general
public to the Vida Building to witness
veterinary surgeries and exams, CSU and
the Dumb Friends League aim to encourage
diverse populations to explore veterinary
and other STEM careers.
Adobe Animal Hospitals and VEG hospitals
also offer viewing windows into their
surgical suites, so any pet owner who wants
to watch their pet's surgery is able to do so.
" A lot of people love to be in the treatment
area. They can watch everything
we're doing, they can see into surgery, they
can see into X-ray... and so they're usually
like, 'Oh wow, I didn't realize you guys did
this much,' " Dr. Crocker said.
" And that's what sold me on joining
VEG, " she continued. " When I visited the
location, every single support staff member
said, 'We have never felt so seen. We have
First graders watch a live surgery taking place at the Dumb Friends League Animal Hospital at CSU Spur.
A docent and the veterinarian explain the procedure in real-time.
never felt so valued. We get more thankyous
than the doctors.' And that's really
unheard of in the veterinary profession.
They do the majority of the physical labor
and the work with these animals, and they
are finally getting recognized for that. "
The benefits of surgery viewing windows:
* Educating the community
* Increasing interest in veterinary and
STEM careers
* Diversifying the veterinary profession
* Showing the value of what the veterinary
team is doing
* Improving job satisfaction
* Growing the bonds between veterinary
teams and pet owners
* Improving client experiences
The Trend: Low-Stress Spaces
According to Vicki Pollard, AIA, CVT,
principal of Animal Arts Design Studios
in Golden, Colorado, many practices are
requesting spaces that help to decrease
the stress of their patients, like separate
entrances or lobby areas for dogs and cats.
" There are a lot more exam rooms that
have exterior doors, so anxious pets don't
have to go back into the lobby and wait in
line to check out, " Pollard explained.
Adobe Animal Hospital is accomplishing
this by having clients check out from the
exam room with a remote client service
representative.
The PARC Vet in Fort Worth, Texas, made sure to
wellbeing. (Photo credit: Timothy Murphy | Photo
12
MAY 2022
PULSE

Pulse - May 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - May 2022