If your kids are sick do you blame the school?

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Our goal is to make sure that your dog is as safe and healthy with us as they are with you. We work very hard to minimize risks of illness or injury to your dog while they stay with us; however injuries and illness still occur. We are very concerned about the health and welfare of your dog. Our business is centered on the physical and mental health of your dog, which is why we love the social interaction, play, exercise and socialization your dog receives while they are here. Let me give you an example of some of the challenges we have faced in the questions below.

If your kids came home from school with the Flu would you be upset with the school?

 

As a parent I know that when my child goes to Day Care or School there is risk that they will bring back a virus, bacteria, or parasite that they contracted from another child at the school. When my kids first started attending day care and eventually school I ended up with the flu, both stomach and traditional, more times that year than in the previous 15 years! The joys of parenting!
Another question:  Would you be upset with the company you worked for if you got sick from a coworker with flu or other illness?

 

I had a similar experience working in an office. Other coworkers would come in with some sort of illness and spread it to others in the office. The office had a policy that if you were symptomatic you had to stay home from work, a hard thing to do in our busy world.

 

A more difficult question:

 

If your child came home from school with a scrape, bruise, cut or other injury from play or interaction with other children would you be upset with the school?
In the pet industry we are faced with the same issues that most schools and day cares for children deal with, parasite transfer (lice, fleas, ticks), virus transfer (Bordatella, para influenza) and injuries (scrapes, cuts, punctures, etc). On top of all that, DOGS HAVE TEETH, and use their teeth to play or to act out aggressively toward another dog. Imagine arming all the kids with pokers or swords and asking them to play nice and not hurt each other.

 

Do dogs ever get injured??

 

Yes. Just like children at school, they run around and play and have a great time, but there are injuries that happen from time to time. As you probably know, DOGS HAVE TEETH. They use their teeth when they are playing and romping with other dogs and also use their teeth if they get aggravated, upset, or aggressive. We minimize any injury to your dog by selecting play groups of dogs based on temperament however, during normal play a dog may get scratches or nicks, bites, puncture wounds and may lose patches of hair. Although rare, it is possible for more serious injuries to occur.

 

What do we do in case of illness or injury?

It is important to understand that we are not veterinarians or veterinarian technicians. We assess the situation to determine a plan of action. Our primary concern is the health of the dog. If possible we will consult with our staff veterinarian. It is our policy that we will let you or the veterinarian determine the best course of action to take regarding the health of the dog. Our staff is not qualified to make medical evaluations or opinions.

 

Life threatening illness or injury:

 

If the injury or illness is deemed to be life threating we will take your dog to the veterinarian immediately and contact you as soon as possible.
Examples of Life threatening illness or injuries:

  • Nonstop bleeding from open wound in life threating area
  • Turned stomach
  • Heart attack
  • Trauma

 

Non-Life threating illness or injury:

 

If the injury or illness is deemed to be not life threatening, we will consult with a veterinarian and contact the owner to determine what the best course of action is.

 

Examples of Non-Life Threatening illness or injury:

 

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Cut
  • Scrape
  • Puncture
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Blood in stool
  • Blood in vomit
  • Limping
  • Broken toe nail
  • Split paw pad
  • Worn pad

 

Our Policy:  We will make every attempt to contact you regarding the health and wellness of your dog.  We will use phone numbers, emails and emergency contact information to try and reach you.  If we are unable to reach you we will defer to our staff veterinarian’s medical opinion as to the course of action to take.  If you have concerns regarding your dog’s health and wellness we would be happy to discuss them with you to come up with a mutual solution.  If you have strong worries or concerns about your dog being in an “Open Play” environment with other dogs and potential for injury or exposure to virus or bacteria, we recommend that you discontinue using our facility.  We strive to create a Clean, Safe and Fun environment for your dog but accidents do happen.