General Appointment Notes
Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday in 30 minute blocks. Morning appointments start at 9 am. The last morning appointment is scheduled at 11:30 am. We remain open during the hours of 12 pm and 2 pm but we do not see appointments during those times in most cases. Afternoon appointments start at 2 pm. The last afternoon appointment is typically at 4:30 pm. For select Saturdays when we are open, appointments are seen in 30 minute blocks starting at 9 am with the last appointment being scheduled at 11:30 am.
Anxious or aggressive pets are scheduled for our first appointment slots for the morning (9 am, on occasion 8:30 am) or afternoon (2 pm) to avoid unexpected interactions with other pets and reduce stress related to wait times whenever possible.
New patients will need to submit records prior to scheduling an appointment.
A confirmation text is sent two days prior to a scheduled appointment. Appointments with two or more pets will receive a text for each pet - it is expected that you arrive early for the first scheduled appointment time.
Every patient deserves time and care during their appointment and we aim to give each pet the attention they need to ensure all concerns, issues, and needs are handled in an efficient and compassionate manner. We ask that all those bringing their pets to us for care be mindful and respectful of our time and the care and attention every pet deserves, including their own. While there are times that appointments run behind or emergencies happen, we ask that all pet owners help us where they can to ensure the flow of appointments is as smooth as possible. To that end, we ask the following:
- Be prepared with all issues or concerns you want addressed at the appointment and let the receptionist know when you are scheduling. Call ahead if a new issue or concern presents after scheduling but before the appointment arrives to ensure there will be enough time to address the new issue. New issues presented at the time of the appointment can lead to delays.
- Understand that "Tech Visits" mean your pet will not receive an exam from the doctor. If an issue presents and your pet needs an exam from the doctor when they are scheduled for a Tech Visit, please call ahead to have your appointment rescheduled for an exam with the doctor. Depending on availability, we may be able to schedule at the same time, but an alternate day and/or time may be required.
- Follow-up exams are exams for evaluating a specific condition that was previously seen by the doctor within a 2 week time period (unless otherwise specified). Follow-up exams are offered at a discounted price. If a new condition presents itself before the time of a scheduled follow-up, the exam to evaluate the new condition is a full priced exam. If a patient is scheduled for a previously seen condition outside of the specified follow-up window, it will be considered a full exam and not qualify as a follow-up.
- Arrive early. Though delays cannot be entirely avoided, late arrivals to appointments, often means delays to our schedule. Below we have outlined how we handle appointments arriving late.
- Call ahead if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment. Our friendly team will be happy to reschedule your appointment for you for a time that is more convenient. Please be sure to speak with a representative over the phone or via text to ensure receipt of the message and confirmation of rescheduling or cancellation. See below how we handle no-show, cancellations, or rescheduled appointments.
- Please be patient while waiting for your pet to be seen. We make every attempt to ensure patients are seen at the time of their scheduled appointment, however, delays occur and some patients need more time than what is available in their appointment block. Be aware that every patient receives the time and care you would want for your own and we appreciate your understanding if you need to wait for an extended period of time. If you are unavailable to wait, we are happy to reschedule you for another time.
Late Arrivals
We ask that all patients plan to arrive early for their appointments. A late arrival is any patient that arrives more than 5 minutes late to their scheduled appointment. In the event that a patient arrives late, they will be considered a "walk-in" meaning they will be seen at the earliest available time between other scheduled appointments. This may mean a patient scheduled after your pet but arriving on time for their scheduled appointment may be seen first. If this is an inconvenience, we are happy to reschedule your appointment for an alternate time that works better with your schedule.
If two or more patients are scheduled for an appointment, they are scheduled at consecutive times so one is given the first appointment slot and each subsequent pet is scheduled for the next block. In most cases, pets arrive together and are expected at the first scheduled time slot. If arriving late (by more than 5 minutes), the first patient may need to be seen as a walk-in. The subsequent pet(s) will be seen at their scheduled time. The late pet may wait until an available time as a walk-in or be rescheduled for a more convenient time slot that works better with your schedule.
No Shows
Every patient scheduled for an exam is saved a time slot for their visit. Patients that do not arrive at all prevent other patients from being seen by occupying a time slot in the schedule and potentially delaying other visits while we wait for their arrival. Patients that do not arrive for their appointment are marked as "No Show" on our appointment schedule calendar. This information is logged in our practice management software. If a pet owner has 2 or more "No Show" appointments, future appointments, even when scheduled at set times, will be treated as walk-in appointments where they are seen at the first available time between other scheduled appointments.
If there is a chance you will not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment, please call us ahead of time to reschedule your appointment. If the issue or concern your pet was being seen for has resolved, please call to let us know so we can cancel the appointment and allow that time slot to be opened for another patient needing to be seen. We will also note on the record that the issue has resolved. Be sure that any cancellation or rescheduled appointment is confirmed by us. Messages and texts are not addressed outside of business hours, so if you try to contact us before 8 am M-F, after 5 pm M-F, or over the weekend, we are unable to confirm the cancellation or reschedule your appointment.
Cancellations
There are times when a scheduled appointment time conflicts with other events pet owners may have going on or the issue we were originally seeing a patient for has resolved. In the case that an appointment needs to be cancelled and we are not rescheduling, please let us know as soon are you are able to allow another patient to be seen during that time slot. Be sure that any cancelled appointment is confirmed by us. Messages and texts are not addressed outside of business hours, so if you try to contact us before 8 am M-F, after 5 pm M-F, or over the weekend, we are unable to confirm the cancellation.
Similar to No Shows, cancelled appointments are logged in our practice management software. After 3 cancelled appointments that are not rescheduled or considered resolved issues, all subsequent appointments, even when scheduled for a set time, will be considered walk-in appointments and be seen at the first available time between other appointments.
Rescheduled Appointments
From time to times, a scheduled exam may not fit into your schedule and we understand. We are happy to reschedule for a time that works better for you. Please let us know as soon as you are aware of a scheduling conflict and we will get your pet in at another time slot that works for you. Be sure that any request to reschedule an appointment is confirmed by us. Messages and texts are not addressed outside of business hours, so if you try to contact us before 8 am M-F, after 5 pm M-F, or over the weekend, we are unable to reschedule the appointment for you.
Though a rescheduled appointment does open the time slot for another patient, it can create disruption to the schedule and means your pet may not get the care they need on time. Follow-up appointments that are scheduled beyond the recommended follow-up window may revert to being a full priced exam rather than a reduced-price follow-up exam as a condition that has not resolved could worsen with the extra time between visits.
Rescheduled appointments are logged in our practice management software. After 5 rescheduled appointments (2, if it's for the same condition/visit) that are rescheduled, all subsequent appointments, even when scheduled for a set time, will be considered walk-in appointments and be seen at the first available time between other appointments.
If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call or text us today.