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Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center in San Ramon, the largest general small animal veterinary practice in the East Bay area, has developed a solution to the problem of how to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 when you take your pet to the vet: curbside concierge veterinary service.
Here’s how the newest thing in veterinary care works. When you arrive at BRVC, you immediately notice that alternate parking spaces are blocked so that cars can maintain adequate social distancing.
Once a pet owner parks they follow the instructions on the sign asking them to call the reception desk inside the veterinary hospital while they wait with their pet in the car.
Next, a BRVC staff member comes to their car, wearing a mask, fresh gloves, and a surgery gown, and brings their pet from the car into the hospital for a “Zoom exam”. The pet owner stays in the car and watches their pet’s exam on their phone as the doctor inside the building examines their pet and communicates with them via Zoom. From the screen of their phone each pet owner can explain their pet’s symptoms to the doctor, watch the physical exam, and have their questions answered throughout the appointment, without ever entering the building.
When finished, another veterinary assistant — again in mask, gloves, and gown — brings their pet back to them in the car (for dogs, using a sterile, single-use disposable leash), along with any medications, foods, or other necessary pet supplies.
Payment is taken in the parking lot, and before you know it Fluffy or Fido is back home social distancing and enjoying their catnip or tennis ball.
“We want to continue to support the needs of the community for urgent and essential veterinary care,” said Dr. Kristi Peterson, Medial Director at BRVC. “Essential veterinary care includes puppy and kitten immunizations, and care for any sick pets, including those with ongoing health problems requiring continuing care. Of course, we still perform all emergency surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, and any necessary follow-up examinations.”
Prescription refills and routine purchases of pet food and supplies are also delivered to a pet owner’s car without the need for them to leave their vehicle. Alternatively, prescription refills are also mailed at no-charge for home delivery.
Dr. Frank Utchen of BRVC thanked his staff: “They have been absolutely wonderful during this health crisis. They are on the front lines of veterinary care every day, taking all the appropriate precautions, and none have become ill during the pandemic. It’s due to their individual and collective efforts at social distancing that we have been able to remain fully staffed during this time.”
Dr. Jim DeLano explained that the staff at BRVC has been separated into two teams, which work alternate daily schedules, to further reduce the number of interactions between all staff members, and to lower even further the chance of exposure. “Without their diligence we wouldn’t be able to make the delivery of veterinary care as safe and easy as we do now”, he said.
Could this be the new normal? Likely not says Peterson. “We are all looking forward to being with our clients face to face again, as soon as it is safe to do so”, she said.
Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center is open 7 days a week, until 10:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. For more information, BRVC can be reached at (925) 866-8387, or through their online portal at: https://www.webvets.com/index.php.
