The Driveway Will Be Back!
Within a span of about two hours this morning, the construction crew removed the driveway in front of our hospital. For now, Gate 1 is open and parking is available on our side entrance. Please enter and exit our hospital from the side until the new driveway is in place.
After excavation, approximately four weeks will pass before the new driveway will be paved in, as there are a lot of utility lines that have to be placed beforehand.
Despite all this, we’re open – it will be business as usual throughout the 10 month building period. Bear with us and thank you for your patience!
The creation of side door access
The construction started early this week and has created quite a stir at our hospital. Everyone is eager to see the progress as Phase 1 of the new Helen Woodward Animal Center is being developed.
Most importantly – we’re open and will maintain or normal operating hours thoughout the year-long contruction period.
Currently, the front of our hospital overlooks a large open space enclosed with fences and lots of large construction equipment. A new handicap access ramp was added to the south side of our hospital in the anticipation of the closure of our front doors.
The main hospital entrance will be closed off for a few weeks while construction continues directly in front. Please use the side doors to access our hospital throughout the next few weeks. In addition, client parking is now located on the south side of the building to ensure easy access to our clients and their pets.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call!
New Hospital Construction at Helen Woodward Animal Center
After years of planning, groundbreaking has finally started on the newest addition to Helen Woodward Animal Center. The new building will house the new Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital as well as the administration side of Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Construction began today and is expected to continue for 10 months. This new building will reside in front of the current RSFVets hospital, but during this period our hospital will remain open like normal.
The one tricky aspect to operating during construction has to do with parking. Signs have been posted directing clients to parking spaces. Essentially, instead of turning left immediately through to Gate 1, simply continue on Calle Del Nido and follow the signs. You’ll eventually end up at the parking area between Club Pet and our hospital.
We do not believe you will incur any delays in making it into or out of our hospital due to this construction. But we’ll certainly call and let you otherwise!
Source: Wikipedia
An urgent call came in to the hospital in early December. Jake’s owner was on the line. “Jake has been coughing up phlegm and blood. What should I do?” We recommended that he be brought in to our hospital immediately.
Jake arrived and we rushed him directly to the treatment area. I could see that he was very lethargic, had pale gums and a bruised underbelly. He normally comes into our hospital wagging his golden tail and is so happy to see us, but he yelped when I started his exam. His owner said, “Jake has been eating less lately and seemed to be in pain when we lifted him into the car.” Based on what I saw, this looked like a possible case of rodenticide toxicity.
Radiographs and blood testing confirmed my suspicion. Read more…
Dr. Brandes is "Kindergarten Doc"
One day this past April, Dr. Deirdre Brandes left behind her otoscope, traveled a few miles to Solana Vista Elementary School, and for a few hours transformed herself into “Kindergarten Doc.”
She was invited to speak to a class of 20 kindergartners taught by Ms. Jesse Atkins and found the children much more engaged than expected. What did she teach the young future veterinarians?
“They asked so many questions. They were amazed that snakes had bones. And they were surprised that their pets’ teeth required the same amount of care as ours,” said Dr. Brandes.
After letting the youngsters know what life was like as a veterinarian, she gave them all a chance to experience it for themselves. A brave volunteer pooch allowed herself to receive a heart inspection from the children via a stethoscope (pictured).
But the highlight of Dr. Brandes’ presentation came when she pulled out 20 sets of masks and gloves, allowing each child to become a pretend surgeon. She was almost overtaken by their enthusiasm.
“Good thing I didn’t bring any surgical tools, because I’m sure they would have tried to use them,” she said.
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