Why can't I come in the examination room with my dog?
When veterinarians and vet hospitals have a no-human policy for wellness exams
During the COVID-19 outbreak from 2020 to 2022, I was relieved by anybody who wanted to stay 6 feet away from me, securely put on a face mask, adamantly wash their hands and disinfect everything, and who was supportive of vaccinations. Even when I took my dog to the vet but was told the veterinary technician would come out to get her and I had to wait outside, that was fine with me. I didn’t want to walk past all of these people or be in a small room with the dog care technicians. I just wanted my dog to get a wellness check, be vaccinated and go on with my day.
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And the happy look on her face, on top of me having to pick her up and carry her back to my car because she tried to run inside again on multiple occasions, was more than enough proof to me that my vet was nice to her. (This is also what makes it complicated when I complain about rate increases and upselling. My dog loves a few staff members and has almost yanked my arm off to go in the entrance doors. I also think the vet is nice.)
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By the time social isolation was winding down and I was told I could come into the examination room, I realized I didn’t really want to be there. As soon as the vet brought needles out to give my dog a shot, I cringed and turned my head away. Although my dog neither yelped nor barked, I hid my face in my shirt.
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And the wildest part is I’m not even slightly scared of needles. I’ve gotten a Moderna shot every year, get flu shots and have blood taken for wellness exams. I flop my arm on the table and let them do their thing while I look at art and medical handouts on the walls. But something about seeing my dog get a shot made me internally scream.
So why is it that I’m so suspicious of vet hospitals and veterinary care centers who insist on refusing to allow humans to be in the room for dog wellness exams?