We are almost to our 1 year anniversary in our new facility. A lot of changes and fine tuning were required, and most of the kinks have been worked out. We have definitely grown, with new doctor (Dr. Murphy) and new technical team members and receptionists too. Our new staff are quite friendly and would love to meet you.
On the positive side of things:
1) We are getting a new ultrasound machine. This means we can perform more same day ultrasounds instead of waiting for the ultrasonographer to come to us. We’ve needed this for some time but I was waiting until our older unit broke down (which it did last week).
2) We are getting a digital dental x-ray machine. This will allow us to better find hidden dental disease. Sometimes a tooth will appear normal, but we find major problems on the radiographs. Finding and correcting hidden problems will reduce the number of anesthetic dental cleanings when combined with improved oral care at home and our non-anesthetic dental program. We offer non-anesthetic cleanings, supervised by our doctors and performed by veterinary dental hygienists. Currently, we offer this service once a month, but will expand to more days as we need to based on demand.
3) Starting in February, we will be making two changes. 1) Dr. Jenna Cooper will be joining our veterinary team. She will start on Sundays but will hopefully expand to more days quickly. And you read correctly…Sundays. We will be open on Sundays for appointments from 7-3. This will help any pet that gets sick on the weekends but is also a great day for routine health care as well. Dr. Cooper is well trained and very nice as well. More information on Dr. Cooper next week.
4) We will begin offering both doggie day care/camp and rehabilitation therapy in our new building. We are increasing team members and training to accommodate group play time. We also will have a webcam in the room. Camp will be for both daycare and overnight guests.
5) And for some less good news. Our lease on the boarding facility expires in February. Unfortunately, the landlord and I could not come to reasonable terms for renewal and we will be closing the building (with the monthly cost, I would have to charge too much for boarding). That means we will only be providing services in our new facility. We can still provide boarding, but we have about 1/3 the runs for dogs. For most of the year, this won’t be a problem, but we will fill up quickly during the holidays. I will be exploring and evaluating other local boarding facilities to get recommendations if we are full. Besides the boarding building, we will also lose access to the dog park. Boarders will still get exercise in our exercise/play room. They will not be cooped up all day, we promise. I do not know what will become of our old facility. I do know that Brian is still present at Terry’s for now. At the end of January, we will be allowing access to the park (city required us to lock it as part of the boarding permit), but it’s up to the landlord of whether or not he will allow use of it for the public.
Many other happier changes will likely occur over the coming year, including expansion of rehabilitation therapy. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns over any changes. I hope the new year is good for you and your pets.
Thank you
Dr. Jeffrey Horn