While going to the vet can be a rather stressful experience for any pet, the layout of the office can go a long way in decreasing trauma. A well-designed layout welcomes pets with friendly staff, employs an efficient system for performing surgeries and examinations as quickly and as painlessly as possible, and maintains a pleasant environment for pet owners and all veterinary staff.
Make Pets Comfortable
A thoughtfully-designed veterinary office can reduce the stress an animal might feel when brought in for a check-up, surgery, or exam. By ensuring that your office is as welcoming as possible, you can make necessary visits to your office pleasant not only for the pet, but also for the pet’s owner. Friendly staff that are committed to the animal’s comfort during his entire stay will make the pet more comfortable and will ensure he is less likely to view returning to your office as traumatic experience.
Eliminate Unnecessary Stress
By employing an efficient system based on a good office design, you can make efforts to cut down waiting time, decrease the separation period, and return animals to their owners with as little unpleasant “kennel time” as possible. This way, animals will quickly find comfort in the presence of their owners and be on the road to recovery.
Instil Confidence in Owners
Just as a veterinarian’s friendly and a professional composure can instil trust, so can a well-designed office put a pet owner at ease. The look and feel of a practice ultimately determine first impressions, and will give pet owners comfort that their pet’s operation or check-up will be handled professionally, efficiently, and carefully if the initial impression is positive.
Provide Efficient Operations for Staff
With an efficient office arrangement, staff members will be encouraged to focus wholly on the task of caring for the animals in an organised and professional manner. Tools and equipment should be placed in an accessible location that is clearly labelled to minimise time. Workflow dynamics must be considered in the design process to ensure that a space will promote efficiency and practical movement within a room throughout a procedure.
Visits to the vet can be stressful enough for pets and owners, but by putting a little thought into the improvement of your office’s system can make the process of reception and discharge a more pleasant and stress-free experience for humans and animals alike. Just as any other healthcare office should use its design as a means of becoming more organized, professional, and efficient, so a veterinary office will find success with a little extra design help.
