Updated Appointment Policy for Clients Cornerstone Animal Hospital during COVID-19 Pandemic ***Effective Immediately (March 21, 2020)*
At Cornerstone Animal Hospital, we are committed to maintaining the health and safety of our patients, as well as the safety of our clients and staff. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we are taking extra precautions that we wanted to make you aware of. With the increase in positive cases in the local area, and in trying to follow every guideline to minimize spread of this virus in the spirit of restrictions put in place by Hays County, we are having to implement a new protocol that prohibits clients from entering the premises of our practice. We are still open and available to see pets during business hours, with the protocol outlined below.
First of all, there have been no reports of pets showing illness from COVID-19. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) is working closely with the CDC, FDA, and WHO (World Health Organization) to monitor the situation, and we will post updates should anything change.
*** NOTE: If pet owners refuse to follow these new protocols - they will be asked to reschedule for when the guidelines are no longer in place. ***
Our new client protocol is as follows:
We are striving to increase reasonable precautions and social distancing by eliminating client time in the waiting area, where there is chance for increased contact with others.
If you are coughing, running a fever, or feeling ill, or have been exposed to COVID-19, and need your pet seen, please have someone else bring your pet.
For all other appointments, we ask that you remain in your vehicle upon arrival at Cornerstone Animal and call us at 512-295-8100. We must ask that you remain in your vehicle during the appointment. This process will proceed as follows:
1. When you arrive for your appointment, you should contact our office (512-295-8100) to alert our team that you have arrived and what type of vehicle you are in. Please remain in your vehicle and our staff will come to you to bring your pet in for his/her appointment.
2. We ask that you remain on-site in your vehicle during your pet's appointment so that you are immediately available should we have any questions and in order to return your pet as quickly as possible to reduce your pet’s stress.
3. If any additional information is needed prior to performing our diagnostics, or any additional tests are needed beyond the examination, a team member or doctor will contact you via phone.
4. Once your pet has been fully evaluated, the doctor will contact you - via phone - to go over our findings, recommendations and answer any questions you may have. Your call will then be transferred to a client service representative that will collect payment via credit card over the phone. We ask that you please use credit or debit cards vs other payment types (cash or check) at this time.
5. A complete copy of your pet’s medical record and client education materials can be given to you when the pet is brought back to your vehicle or emailed to you by the end of the day. Medications dispensed in house will be brought out to you with your pet when examination, diagnostics and treatment are complete.
We have temporarily instituted a no handshake policy. There is no need to shake hands as part of the usual greeting; we are still excited to have our client family visit the practice, but out of respect to others and in following recommended guidelines there is no need to shake hands.
If any of our staff feel ill, run a fever, or come in contact with COVID-19, they will not come to work.
Please bring your own leash if you are able, but if you need to use one of ours, it will be disinfected between uses.
If you prefer to drop your pet off for examination, please inform reception and we will arrange this.
If you need medications or food, you may call in advance to let us know you are coming, then you may call from the parking area. The receptionist can take your payment over the phone, and we can deliver the medications to you in the parking area.
Please share this post with others. If needed, we will post updates to our Facebook and website at cornerstoneanimal.com. Be safe.
Warmly, the doctors and staff at Cornerstone Animal Hospital
