Our Policies and What to Expect 

Holistic, or Integrative Medicine, refers to a system that uses naturally derived medications such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, chiropractic, ozone etc., to promote and restore a healthy balance to the body. At Four Paws we emphasize the importance of healthy natural nutrition, exercise, positive attitude, and non-toxic remedies as the mainstays for restoring the patient to his or her optimal state of health. This is a team effort: animal, caretaker and doctors. We need all team members working together. Four Paws may recommend a combination of Western and Eastern medicine when treating pets. Each patient will begin their care with an initial appointment that consists of a physical exam, a consult with Dr. Lord, and if appropriate, the first modality treatment. A treatment plan will be discussed at the time of the initial consult, which may include repeat visits by the nature of the services we offer.  Thorough yearly physical exams are required by law to continue any prescriptions or treatments performed by doctors or medical staff. Please note that visits for treatments exclusively, or brief follow up visits, do not include a full physical exam. If a referral is needed to another specialist, we will assist you with that as well.

 

Appointment Policy  

To allow ample time for all patients and scheduled procedures, we operate by appointment only. Please realize that we make a sincere attempt to see each client on time, but complex cases may cause a delay. If your pet is experiencing a true emergency we may refer you to your nearest emergency hospital to ensure your pet is treated in a timely manner.

 

Cancellations Policy  

Scheduling conflicts are inevitable and we understand life does happen, but it is essential that communications with our office are open and timely. We provide emailed appointment reminders 48 hours in advance unless otherwise arranged. We request a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel and/or reschedule appointments. Advanced notice allows us to schedule clients who are on our ever-growing wait list for appointments. We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee for missed appointments or those cancelled less than 24 hours in advance. For a new patient consult, the cancellation fee is $55. For a follow up appointment, the cancellation fee will be anywhere from $35-$55 based on the treatment scheduled.

 

Patient Arrival Policy  

Even though we make every effort to make our patients feel comfortable during visits, your pet may be a little uneasy about new people, new surroundings, and other pets. For this reason we ask you to please restrain your pet upon arrival. We request that animals be placed on a leash or in a pet carrier before entering the office and while in waiting area. If you are using a retractable leash, please have it locked while in the building. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in keeping our hospital a safe place.

 

Payment Policy  

We require full payment at the time that services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, and personal checks. We do NOT accept Care Credit at this time. Should you need an estimate of costs feel free to ask prior to your appointment or during your consult before treatments begin. 

 

Thank you for trusting us to help care for your pets