COVID-19: ST FRANCIS UPDATES

Thank you for continuing to help us provide excellent curbside service. I think we are all settling in to these new normal protocols. Based on current recommendations, we anticipate that our curbside service will continue for an extended period. For additional information about our curbside service, please visit our website at www.stfrancisanimalandbird.com or our Facebook page.

Important Reminders

  • We are asking that you wear a face mask or covering for all interactions with our team members. We commit to doing the same. We all need to remain healthy in order to continue to provide care for your pets.
  • For most appointments with a veterinarian, you will receive a Curbside History Form by email in advance. Please complete and submit this form to us prior to your pet’s visit.
  • When you arrive in the parking lot, the signs will direct you to call or text either the Appointment Line or the Curbside Pick Up Line. These are dedicated lines to our concierge team. If we are on the line, you are welcome to leave a message or dial the main line at (651) 645-2808. These cell phones will only be answered during business hours.
  • When we are ready to retrieve your pet, please take your pet out of the car for ease of transfer to our veterinary team. For dogs, we ask that you help us add a second leash for safety moving to and from the building. If your dog is nervous, we may ask you to walk to the building with us.
  • Provide a phone number that you will be reachable at while you are waiting in the parking lot.
  • It is very important that you do not leave the parking lot. In order for us to see as many patients as possible in these conditions, we need to be able to return your pet to you as soon as we’ve finished.
  • We have reopened for business on Saturdays from 8 am to 12:30 pm, but are only staffed to provide wellness care. Patients with medical conditions will be scheduled for a weekday appointment or will be directed to an urgent care facility.
  • Our technician appointments are in high demand to meet the medical needs of our patients (i.e. vaccines, fluid therapy, medical treatments). We recommend scheduling grooming procedures such as nail trims with a local groomer unless your pet requires grooming by a medical professional. Grooming appointments at St Francis are currently booking out up to 4 weeks.

We want to take this moment to express our gratitude to all of you. We say every day that we have the very best clients and patients. If we have to negotiate the craziness of this year, we are grateful to do so with all of you.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: AMANDA MALLEK

Each month, we will spotlight one of our team members in order of years of service at St Francis Animal Hospital.

Amanda joined St Francis Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant in April 2018. She graduated in December 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. She is currently enrolled at Penn Foster College in order to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. From here, she plans to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

In addition to her veterinary assistant duties, she has taken on many veterinary technician responsibilities and serves as our Inventory Manager.

In her free time, she loves traveling, painting, exercising, spending time with friends and family and taking care of her cat, Sonny.

Why do you love being a veterinary assistant?

What I enjoy most about being a veterinary assistant is having the opportunity to help both people and animals and being able to assist the doctors and technicians in getting animals back to living the healthiest lives they can. It brings me joy to help provide a safe and friendly environment for your loved ones.

Why do you love working at St Francis Animal Hospital?

I am happy to be a part of a clinic that cares about the individual owners just as much as their pets. Every employee I have the privilege of working with offers excellent service by forming close relationships with clients. They all truly care about the families that walk through the front doors of the clinic. St Francis also offers a wide range of care that is not available to other clinics such as acupuncture and massage therapy. For me, being able to observe and learn so much every day is rewarding!

COVID-19 AND PETS

On May 27th, a cat in Carver County Minnesota was confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. This patient presented to the veterinary clinic with respiratory signs and a high fever. The owners of the cat were confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. Five days after beginning supportive therapy, the cat recovered. The dog in the household remained healthy.

Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily from person to person. At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. However, in rare cases, it appears that humans can spread the virus to pets. Routine testing of asymptomatic pets is not recommended at this time. Pets with atypical respiratory symptoms and exposure to humans with confirmed COVID-19 infection may be tested for SARS-CoV-2 under the guidance of Minnesota State Animal Health officials.

If you are sick with COVID-19, either suspected or confirmed by a test, the CDC recommends restricting contact with pets. When possible, have another member of your household care for your pets if you are ill. Avoid close contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, kissing, or sharing food or bedding with them while you are ill. If you must care for your pet while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them and wear a mask or cloth face covering.

Until we know more about how this virus affects animals, treat pets as you would other family members to prevent them from getting infected. Limit interactions with people and animals outside the household, walk dogs on a leash to maintain a 6 ft distance from others, avoid large gathering places, and keep cats indoors.

NEWS BRIEFS

PetDesk

If you are scheduling your pet’s appointment through the PetDesk app, you should receive a confirmation that your pet’s appointment has been confirmed. If you do not receive that confirmation, the visit is not yet confirmed in our appointment calendar. If you have questions about the scheduling process, please reach out to us at (651) 645-2808.

Community Involvement

St Francis Animal Hospital donated groceries to those in need at Seward Montessori. In addition, our team has been active across the city, donating money, groceries, and supplies to sites in the North Loop, Seward, Sanford Middle School, and Longfellow Park; contributing to the Lake Street Council; helping to clean up businesses on Lake Street; volunteering time and resources to the Holy Trinity Church; and helping with pet food shelves through the Street Dog Coalition and People & Pets Together. Please join us in helping our communities through these difficult days.

Upcoming Events

Street Dog Coalition Food Shelf

On Saturday, June 13th, 12:30 to 2:30 pm, St Francis will host the Street Dog Coalition Food Shelf. If you or someone you know is facing hardship and is in need of dog food, please stop by our food shelf. Distribution will be on a first come first served basis and will be limited to dog food. Additional donations are not needed at this time.

Animal Emergency & Referral Center Oakdale

The Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Oakdale is taking donations for personal items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, lotion, soap, body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, diapers, baby wipes, diaper cream, and baby formula. Items may be placed in the brown bin to the west of their main entrance. You may also shop using their Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/MTORQHG2KHLF/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex.

Location: 1163 Helmo Ave N Oakdale MN
Phone: (651) 501-3766