Your pet is your best friend and you want to make sure they get the best care possible. When selecting a veterinarian you are not only looking for an expert in medical care but someone who will make you and your pet feel comfortable.
How Do I Find The Right Veterinarian?
I would start by to asking friends or family what veterinarian they use and recommend. People are happy to give recommendations based on their experiences (good and bad). Make sure to ask why they chose their veterinarian, as this can give you some good insight on the expectations of service. Another good place to get recommendations is from special interest groups seen on Facebook or Meet Up. Finding groups with the same breed as yours can be a great resource. They are likely to have developed a relationship with a veterinarian that is familiar with the potential health-related issues associated with your pet.
Finally, perform an Internet search to research clinics that were recommended or search for veterinarians in your local area. This can give you lots of important information such as hours of operation, services they provide, location, and you can ‘get to know’ their staff. Once you find one or a few that look as if they might be a good fit, look them up on review sites such as Yelp, Google+, or even Facebook. You can read comments from clients who have visited, see where they rank among other clinics and get a general sense of how people feel about them.
Paws to consider: Even though a veterinarian may come highly regarded from a friend or family member, make sure to do your own research.
How Do I Decide Which Veterinarian Is Right For Us?
Give the clinic a call. This can immediately give you a sense of what to expect. Is the person that answers the phone pleasant? Are they warm and inviting? Do they leave you feeling happy that you called? These are important things to consider. When calling let them know you are looking for a veterinarian, ask if you can come in and visit the clinic or if you feel comfortable, go ahead and schedule an exam with your pet.
When you visit the clinic think about the following and ask the staff:
- Is the location convenient for you? How was parking?
- How were you greeted upon arrival?
- Look around! Does the clinic look clean? Is it organized and modern?
- Is the staff friendly and outgoing? How did they interact with your pet?
- Ask about the range of medical services offered. Does it suit your needs?
- Inquire about the costs of services and methods of payment. You want to make sure it fits your budget.
- How does the clinic handle emergencies?
- Lastly, does your pet seem comfortable? Do YOU feel comfortable?
Paws to consider: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! This is an important decision and you should feel confident in the medical team that will be providing care to your pet.
When choosing a veterinarian for your pet, you must ask yourself what is important to you. Look for those important items and ask the staff. You want to feel as comfortable as you would with your own doctor or dentist. These are your pet children.
What Do I Do If I Am Unhappy With My Veterinarian?
There are many unforeseen problems that can arise in medicine. Veterinarians take extreme care when treating pets and strive to make their clients happy. There may have been something that happened that caused you concern or that you were upset about. A face-to-face conversation with your veterinarian may be warranted. This allows you to express your concern and get resolution.
However, if this meeting does not resolve the issue or you do not feel comfortable having a meeting, then thank your veterinarian for the service they have provided and say goodbye. You want to feel comfortable every step of the way with the care of your pet and if that is not happening for you, that is OK. Move on. Ask for a copy of your pet’s records. Veterinarians want the best care for your pet whether it is with your current veterinarian or a new one. Sometimes, this can feel awkward and people shy away from making this request. If you do not feel comfortable requesting records from your previous clinic, you can request that your new clinic handle it for you.
Paws to consider: Regardless of the reason for the split, it is best to keep it amicable and just move on.
Your goal is to find a veterinarian whom you feel comfortable with, forge a long-term relationship with, and can best meet you and your pet’s needs.
At Veterinary Center of Parker, Inc. we would love to get to know you and your pet. We offer a ‘Get to Know Us’ exam where you can visit the clinic with your pet, meet staff, and see if we are a good fit for you and your pet. Give us a call at 720-851-0820 today to get more information!