Special Update From Dr. Utchen & Our Team

An update from our BRVC Family to yours by Dr. Frank Utchen 
An update on new plans: Starting in May we will resume performing more routine procedures such as spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and well-checks. We genuinely appreciate your patience as we curtailed those typically non-urgent procedures as part of our initial COVID-19 response plan. In the next few weeks, you can look forward to our team calling you to schedule routine surgeries as we continue our return to full service.

Presently, to provide for the safe and effective delivery of veterinary care in the face of the pandemic, we continue to adhere to our new COVID-19 response plan that was instituted when the stay in place order was given:

First, we have begun "curbside concierge service" and Zoom exams, whereby you wait in your car while your pet is brought inside the hospital by a staff member who greets you at your car wearing a gown, gloves, and a mask. From there, our doctors have been doing their examinations while you wait in your car and participate by Zooming with the doctor on your phone. (Download the Zoom app here  and join BRVC in our temporary "new normal".) When the exam is over, your pet is brought back to you by another staff member also wearing a gown, gloves, and a mask (for dogs, a single-use sterile disposable leash is used). The system is working fabulously and we have had only positive feedback on this safety measure.

Second, we have a number of staff members working remotely during this period, including receptionists who log onto our computer network from home and work remotely to answer your calls, transfer you to the appropriate doctor or assistant as needed, schedule appointments, and make call-backs. Our remote team has been crucial in helping our services continue uninterrupted as we have adjusted to our (temporary) "new normal".

Third, we have divided our staff into two teams working alternate schedules in order to cut the risk of exposure in half among our staff

Fourth, we have expanded our business hours even later on the weekends — now until 10 PM both Saturday and Sunday — to help space out our appointments even father apart during the day. This helps to reduce traffic congestion in our parking lot and is just one more way we are helping us all social-distance.

Finally, remember we are all in this together, and every day we stay safely distanced from each other brings us all one day closer to the time we can begin working together face to face again. Until then, we hope you find our curbside concierge service convenient, and Zoom on!