(PRESS RELEASE) ORLANDO, FL — Separate waiting rooms for dogs and cats, soothing outdoor garden waiting areas that calm the anxious pet and larger surgical suites to accommodate advanced procedures are among the exciting changes taking place at veterinary hospitals. Veterinary professionals from all over the world will have the opportunity to learn the latest in architectural design, business financing and how to create a welcoming environment for pets and people at the North American Veterinary Community’s (NAVC) first Hospital Design all-virtual weekend December 5-6. Attendees can receive more than 12 RACE-approved hours of continuing education complimentary thanks to the generous support from event sponsors, especially Live Oak Bank.
“Creating the right environment within the veterinary hospital can decrease stress, increase practice productivity and enhance the overall veterinary visit for pets, their humans and the veterinary staff,” said Dana Varble, DVM and NAVC chief veterinary officer. “While some of the changes in hospital design and construction today are COVID-19 driven, many others are based on accommodating advances in animal medicine and treatment. All reflect a commitment to building a space that enables veterinary professionals to deliver the highest quality care possible for our pets.”
The NAVC Hospital Design program will offer 24 sessions including:
- Stay Ahead with Emerging Design Trends. Melanie Friedman, LEED AP, NCARB, ALA, will present:
- Exterior, private exam room access to allow for immediate social distancing and long-term benefits of separating breeds or stressed animals.
- Better use of space: smaller consulting rooms or “nurses’ nook” for vaccines, consults, acupuncture and holistic medicine can free up more space for larger surgical suites and recovery areas; multi-functional rooms for CE courses, water treadmills or puppy training classes.
- Designing for the Human-Animal Bond. Kelly Rayon, DVM, will present:
- Environmental design ideas to foster the human-animal bond and promote wellbeing even during the most critical situations.
- The importance of easy access to and around the veterinary hospital, especially for older clients.
- Outdoor waiting areas and exam room concepts that create a calming environment for pets and their owners.
- The impact lighting has on lowering stress and creating natural circadian rhythm for recovering pets staying overnight.
- Safety and Security. Through various sessions, attendees can learn everything from protecting patient records to finding the best options in flooring that are slip-resistant, environmentally friendly and can handle a heavy daily dose of disinfectants.
- Other topics include: budgeting to help with construction planning; case studies on new hospital builds and boarding facilities; and a panel with those who have successfully completed a renovation project or new hospital build.
Event attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and network with speakers during interactive panels and a virtual happy hour Saturday. All virtual sessions will be available OnDemand through Sunday, December 13.
The NAVC has offered a Hospital Design program for more than a decade in conjunction with its annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX). To help veterinary professionals meet end-of-year CE requirements, the NAVC is offering the program virtually in December. For more information on the NAVC Hospital Design weekend, and to register for free, visit here .
