24 Apr Thank you from Mars Veterinary Health

VMA Partners –

On behalf of Mars Veterinary Health and our U.S. practices – Banfield, BluePearl and VCA – I wanted to thank you for the fantastic work you’re doing managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this is a global crisis, it certainly manifests itself and requires careful management at all levels, and the work you’re doing with your elected officials, state boards and other key stakeholders has been incredible. Your tireless efforts to communicate with your members and ensure they have the latest information and resources they need to stay safe has been immensely appreciated by our associates who are members of your associations as well as members of communities across the nation. Like other practices across the country, we have taken steps to respond to the crisis in ways that are grounded in our principles. For example:

• With many state and local orders limiting the types of veterinary services that can be performed during this time, we’re working to keep associates apprised of the latest developments and continue to encourage direct contact with your associations and the state boards for the most up-to-date guidelines.
   
• We have exceptionally evolved our pay and benefits to help our associates take time away from work for COVID-19-related circumstances.
   
• We’ve revised and deployed increased personal hygiene best practices, hospital cleaning and disinfection guidelines, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, among many other resources, throughout our hospitals.
   
• We are doing whatever we can to meet clients’ needs at home, urging our clients to take advantage of our telehealth services and remote consultations.
   
• When a pet requires a hospital visit, we’ve implemented guidelines for client interactions, including phone consults, curbside check-in and drop-off appointments to help our teams maintain safe distances and maintain hygiene best practices.
   
• We continue to centrally coordinate donation of both ventilators and masks to human healthcare facilities in need across the country. It is important to us and our associates that we are doing our part to support human healthcare.  

It’s times like these that we’re reminded of the power of the human-animal bond. Regardless of what life throws our way, pets are right there with us—and veterinary professionals tirelessly stand committed to being there for them. As states begin to look at re-opening their economies and relax restrictions on health care services and procedures, we are committed to moving forward in a way that puts the public health and associate wellbeing at the forefront, while also staying true to our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. The world is going to look much different as we emerge from the crisis, and we are committed to finding new ways of delivering care as we embrace this “new normal” – which may bring unexpected silver linings in the way we connect with pet owners and with each other.

On behalf of our 50,000 U.S. associates – many of which are members of your VMAs – thank you again for your amazing work. If there is anything Mars Veterinary Health can do to assist you in navigating COVID-19 (or other efforts), please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay safe!

Best,

Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO
Chief Medical & Quality Officer, Mars Veterinary Health
jennifer.welser@effem.com