Curbside Service Returns
As you are aware, there has been a sharp increase in COVID cases in Jeffco as well as across the state. The Jeffco positivity rate is now at 18.8%, and the state has seen a 108% increase in positivity over the last seven days. These steep increases, combined with our animal emergency systems struggling under pandemic-related staffing restraints and the impact of the Marshall fire, has left our veterinary care in the northwest Arvada and Superior area under severe strain.
To assist our veterinary colleagues and protect the ability of Harmony Veterinary Center to remain open to serve your pet’s health care needs, we are moving back to full curbside service starting immediately. We anticipate this will be a short term move of 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly the Omicron variant moves in and out of our community.
The compassionate exception is for saying goodbye to a beloved pet. We can allow you to come into the building and can provide you with KN95 masks to be present should your pet need that final act of compassion with euthanasia. We have a comfort room that opens to the outside garden that will allow you and your pet to enter into the building.
We are also shifting our scheduling to accommodate more urgent and sick patients and relieve the long waits at local emergency clinics. We ask that you please be patient for your wellness results and call-backs as well as your pets wellness visits. Please watch your email and like our Facebook page for announcements regarding increased urgent care visits.
Urgent Care Visits
Should your pet have an urgent need, please call as early in the day as possible. Calls at the end of the day may need to be scheduled for the next day and/or referred to Animal Urgent Care or Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. While we are opening more space, you may be asked to leave your pet with us for a period of time so we can care for them efficiently and effectively. Your veterinary nursing team and veterinarian will keep you posted on your pet’s progress via phone and text. Please also know that we are capable of only so many urgent cases in the day and ask that you call as soon as you recognize a need. It is important to treat conditions early before they need large medical interventions.
We have struggled with the decision to go back to curbside service because we very much like to see you and keep you with your pet during the visits. However, for the greater good of our community and support of an already strained veterinary system, we had to make the call to go back to full curbside service.
What does Curbside Care look like?
- When you arrive, please call and identify what parking spot you are in.
- A veterinary nurse (CVT) will come to your car, weather permitting, or call you to take your pet’s history and escort your pet to an exam room where they will be seen by your veterinarian.
- Your veterinarian will receive the history from the veterinary nurse and call you with questions and to speak to you.
- Exams for your pet will be performed and treatments discussed with you prior to performing the treatments.
- Our Customer Care Team will call for payment or come to your car, then return your pet safely to you.
- For in-clinic euthanasia appointments: prior to or upon arrival, please complete the COVID Consent Entry Form. A link will be emailed with your appointment reminder and sent by text to your phone upon arrival, or a paper copy can be provided at curbside.
Can I come in to pick up medication for my pet? Not at this time. To manage pets and social distancing we ask that you call and one of our staff members will bring your medication to you at your car or in the Harmony Garden. Payment will be collected at that time.
Can I come in for nail trims and nursing appointments? Not at this time. To manage pets and social distancing, our nurses will take good care of your pet for these types of procedures.
What safety measures have you put in place? All staff will remain masked at all times. All current COVID cleaning protocols will remain in place. We have increased air circulation through our HVAC system and put in place a UVC Light in the HVAC system to kill airborne pathogens. We are also utilizing a hospital-wide Synexis Bio Defense System to kill airborne and surface pathogens as well as Molekule aire filtration systems, both hospital-wide and in exam rooms. Lastly, 100% or our staff is vaccinated and boosted.
We thank you for your flexibility and patience as we go back to curbside service. We look forward to seeing you back in the building as soon as possible.
