​COVID-19 update (3/23/2020)To All Our Clients,
For 30 years, Petsburgh Pet Care has been dedicated to caring for you and your pet’s well-being. Our mission is to bring together each staff member's knowledge, skills and effort and, as a team, to provide the best care possible for each and every pet that comes through our doors. We keep our mission in the forefront of our professional lives while facing new the challenges presented by the novel corona virus (COVID-19). We continue to follow the most current recommendations from the CDC, ISDH and AVMA as the situation evolves.
Effective March 24th at 11:59pm, Governor Holcomb declared a state-wide mandatory Stay-At-Home-Order. As such, we are here to continue providing essential veterinary services to ill and injured animals, but are postponing non-urgent care and offering remote care as much as feasible.
It is of the utmost importance that we also protect staff and public safety. As far as patient care goes, we want to continue to do our very best for your pet. As veterinarians, we see epidemics in animal populations from novel viruses (e.g. the recent influenza viruses) so we have a good understanding of what this all entails. We have no prior exposure to this virus, so no one has any immunity. Since people move around locally, regionally and globally, we provide the perfect vehicle for the virus to spread everywhere very quickly.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are implementing new temporary policies until stated otherwise, so we can continue caring for your pets while protecting the health of our caregivers and the public. As the situation continues to evolve, we will make adaptations accordingly.
+ At this time, we are open regular business hours though that is subject to change. Please call to verify before arrival. We will continue to see sick animals and hospitalize pets as needed, as well as do necessary and time-sensitive surgeries. We are not taking new clients at this time.
+ In order to maximize social distancing, we have closed the lobby to clients. This will limit potential exposure for you as well as staff and protect those who may be immune compromised.
+ We have stopped taking routine medical appointments, grooming appointments and incoming boarding reservations. We will be screening medical calls to determine how we can best care for your pets.
+ If you are instructed to come to our clinic, we will take extra precautions by wearing face masks and may ask you to also wear a mask. When you arrive for your appointment, please call us from your car and we will give you specific instructions. We will ask that you stay in or just outside your vehicle and our staff will bring the animal in and out of the building. We do not want our staff to have to lean into your car to reach your pet with you in such close contact.
+ We have asked our team members who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness to stay at home and not return to work until they are free of fever and any other clinical symptoms for a minimum of 24 hours. We ask for your patience and understanding as staffing availability may vary.
+ For patients currently in our care, please rest assured that our team will still be here diligently caring for your pets, though extra precautions will be taken. For example, new pets on arrival may require a bath as recommended by the Board of Animal Health to rinse of potential viral particles they could be carrying. If you call to schedule a routine medical or grooming appointment right now or reservation for boarding, we will ask that you schedule them after April 7th, understanding that these appointment may be canceled if the stay-at-home order continues. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis as an individual pets health dictates.
+ Because of a shortage of supplies in the human medical side, we will be postponing certain elective procedures. These are being handled on a case by case basis. Our surgical nursing staff and surgeons may also be utilizing cloth masks that follow CDC recommendations and can be sterilized. This allow us to free up a small supply of masks that are needed in human healthcare as well. Please take no offense if our staff is donning PPE while working with you at our practice or asks you to wear a mask as well—it is for everyone’s safety.
+ We also may be able to handle some problems over the phone – a sort of telemedicine. Our Customer Service Representatives (CSR) will screen your phone call and if there is a medical concern, you will likely speak to a member of the veterinary staff. We can provide Remote Consultations and our veterinarians can assess pictures and video via email. This will allow us to offer advice and further recommendations before determining if you must bring your pet to the clinic. We must follow state veterinary law and maintain a valid veterinarian-patient-client-relationship to offer this service (exam within 1 year).
+ While we have always maintained the highest levels of cleanliness throughout our clinic to maintain American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standards, we are taking more measures at this time including:
 Increased frequency of cleaning, emphasis on contact time, sanitizing everything that may be contacted by humans and pets (doorknobs, phones, counters, pens, workstations, waste container, etc).
 No longer retaining personal items with hospitalized pets, including blankets, toys, collars, leashes, etc. We will use our own leashes and sanitize afterward. Exceptions are made for cat carriers, in which case we will disinfect the outside of the cage and wash our hands thoroughly before and after handling.
 Respecting a safe social distance (6 feet) guideline where possible and avoiding shaking hands.
 Emphasis on hand washing and social distancing within the building.
+ We ask that clients experiencing a fever, coughing or other symptoms of illness or who have traveled internationally in the last 14 days, please arrange for a trusted friend, neighbor, or healthy family member transport your pet to our hospital. If you call ahead, we will gladly accommodate your representative and make appropriate arrangements. If that’s not feasible, call once you get to the parking lot to discuss protocol. We recommend all clients avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth during your visit. Wash your hands as directed by CDC guidelines, often and thoroughly, and use hand sanitizing agents when available.
As these changes go into effect and are in practice for the unforeseen future, we appreciate your cooperation. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions at 765-423-5500 during business hours. As your pet’s regular veterinarian, we are here for you!
On a broader note, COVID-19 won’t be brought under control until everyone stays home. Every time someone comes in contact with another person, there is a risk of exposure, not only to that person, but everyone in their home as well. Our advice is to follow Governor Holcomb’s directive. Stay home, keep your distance from people when you have to go out. Wash your hands and clean any surfaces you touch.
As the current events evolve, keep in mind emergency veterinary care in town is available at Purdue University Small Animal Hospital at 765-494-1107.
We appreciate your trust in us. Be safe. Be healthy. We will all get through this.
https://www.avma.org/blog/what-do-you-need-know-about-coronavirus

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Petsburgh Pet Care

Owned and operated by Dr. Elizabeth M. Holmes, DVM. Petsburgh is dedicated to offering the optimal level of veterinary care to our patients and clients. Petsburgh Pet Care offers veterinarian services, boarding (with all indoor kennels), and professional dog and cat grooming. We are an AAHA accredited animal hospital. ​

Learn More about US

Petsburgh Pet Care is an AAHA accredited animal hospital. That means that our employees share the same vision and goal for a higher standard of care. We want our patients to receive the best quality of care possible and our clients to expect and receive better service.  Learn More about AAHA Accreditation.   

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AAHA.org/petowner (learn more)

Now offering social group T.L.C. time while boarding!
Individual Temperament Testing and Social Assessment
for Social Group TLC Time while Boarding

​Individual Temperament Testing and Social Assessment is provided by our Fear Free Certified Kennel Manager, Chad Summers, and is required to participate in our boarding exclusive, Social Group TLC Time!  This fun social time allows your dog to spend time interacting with other dogs in a group setting during its stay. Typical Social Group TLC Time (SGTT) sessions cost $9.50 per dog, last for approximately 30 minutes duration and can be done up to twice a day. We offer SGTT sessions every day of the week while your pet is boarding with us.
Individual Temperament Testing and Social Assessments (ITTSA) are performed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and  Friday. Initial assessment duration varies for each pet. Some pets may take longer to adjust to their environment and we want to give each pet the best opportunity possible. For this reason, we will require that each dog’s assessment be completed prior to their boarding stay and we will ask that your pet stay with us for the majority of the day.
We require that owners complete the Application and Consent form and schedule the ITTSA in advance of their dog’s boarding reservation dates so the dog can easily be placed in groups when it arrives for boarding. For the initial assessment done in advance of the boarding stay, we will not charge a day boarding fee; only the assessment fee which $30 for the stay, the individual temperament test and the social assessment.
If the assessment is not able to be scheduled prior to boarding, it may be scheduled within the pets boarding stay, with special permission. Individual TLCs will be provided until the assessment can be completed. If cleared, Social Group TLC Time can begin.
A temperament test is a process in which we perform a series of planned exercises and activities designed to assess the dog’s potential for fearful, nervous or agitated behavior while determining its level of social development. This helps to ensure that the dog is not aggressive and can play well without posing a danger to itself or others. Handling a dog should be done through positive reinforcement and motivational methods. We will do nothing out of the ordinary that will cause undue stress or injury to your pets.
After the individual temperament test, the social assessment involves slowly introducing other friendly dogs into the environment and gauging their interactions. We will let you know how your pet did throughout the assessment and if we have any concerns or restrictions. The majority of dogs that come for temperament tests are cleared, and we will be open with communicating about your pet’s progress.  Once your pet is cleared for Social Group TLC Time, your pet will not need to repeat the assessment unless incidents occur. The staff of Petsburgh Pet Care are not licensed or certified behaviorists or trainers and may refer you for further assistance if needed.
Dogs must be over 1 year of age, be spayed or neutered, and current on all required vaccinations for boarding.
We look forward to seeing your pet!

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Temperament Test Application and Owner Consent for Social Group TLC Time

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