COVID-19 HOSPITAL UPDATES
Updated: July 29, 2020
With the rising COVID-19 numbers in Huntsville, we have decided to go back to our curbside protocol only. We are currently not allowing clients in to the lobby to continue to keep our clients and employees safe. Curbside protocol is as following:
For clients needing product/prescription refills, or for pets coming in for boarding, we ask that you follow our protocol and call us from your vehicle and we'll have one of our staff members assist you.
We are VERY thankful to all of our clients for your continued support and understanding during these times.
- When you arrive to the clinic, please stay in your car and call us at 256-859-5511 to let us know you are here for an appointment.
- You will be checked in and when an assistant is ready for your pet, they will call you- so make sure to keep your phone handy!
- After speaking with the assistant helping with your pets' appointment, they will meet you at the stairs at the front of the hospital to get your pet from you.
- Dr.Combs or Dr. Simpson will then examine your pet inside and then give you a call with their findings.
- After the appointment, we will check you out over the phone and have the assistant meet you on the front porch with your pet, receipt, and any products.
- This protocol will also apply to anyone needing products, prevention, or medictions.
For clients needing product/prescription refills, or for pets coming in for boarding, we ask that you follow our protocol and call us from your vehicle and we'll have one of our staff members assist you.
We are VERY thankful to all of our clients for your continued support and understanding during these times.
Updated: May 28, 2020
Welcome Back- In!
Beginning Monday, June 1st, 2020, we will begin allowing clients in the lobby on a limited basis. As we continue to try & keep our staff & clients as safe as possible, we do ask that you please follow our new protocols.
- Masks will be required when coming in the facility. If you are not comfortable wearing a mask, or coming inside, we would be happy to still follow our curbside procedure for appointments or for any product/food/prescription pick up & refills.
- Please stay a Great Dane length apart! While it will be wonderful seeing you all again, we will still be following the 6-foot distance guideline set by the CDC.
- If you have an appointment for your pet, we are limiting 1 family member/caretaker per appointment. To avoid too many people in the lobby, we are asking you to please call when you arrive in the parking lot & when a technician is ready for you, we will give you a call to come inside. We understand that it may not always be possible to have just 1 family member come in, i.e. children/caretakers. In those situations, we will be glad to continue with our curbside protocols.
Updated: May 1, 2020
Starting Monday, May 4th, we will be opening back up to Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm! We will also begin to see preventive care/vaccine appointments, as well as bathing/boarding services. At the moment, we will still be following our curbside appointment protocols & asking everyone to please call when you arrive for your appointment & to stay in your vehicle until your pets' examination is complete.
We want to thank everyone for being so patient with us as we have had to adjust our hours due to COVID-19. We hope everyone is staying safe & healthy!
We want to thank everyone for being so patient with us as we have had to adjust our hours due to COVID-19. We hope everyone is staying safe & healthy!
Updated: March 30, 2020
We want to thank all of you for being so flexible with us as things are constantly changing. To continue to try to keep all our clients & staff safe & healthy during this time, we are doing what we can to provide essential services & ability for you to receive medications/food/product.
Starting Monday, March 30, we have made the decision to reduce our hours of operation to Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. These appointment times will be reserved for medical & emergency appointments only (with the exception of puppy & kitten vaccination visits).
We will still be following our new protocol for appointments & we are asking all clients to please stay in their vehicle once they arrive & call us at 256-859-5511.
We are also working on a new app to provide your pets' information at your fingertips. This app will also provide a telemedicine option for those who would prefer not to leave the house, but may still have a need for their pet to be seen by Dr.Combs during this national pandemic. Once we have more information, we will keep you updated & you will receive an email to opt in.
We will be offering delivery of prescription medications, food & product refill for a $5 fee. This will be offered to clients within a 15 mile radius of Winchester Road Animal Hospital. Deliveries will be dropped at your residence & offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Please call us for more information.
We would like to thank all of our clients & patients again during this time. We would like to stay open as long as possible to provide the care you & your pets need, so we ask that you please be patient with us as things are changing daily.
Stay healthy & pet the babies for us!
Dr. Melinda Combs & Staff of Winchester Road Animal Hospital
Starting Monday, March 30, we have made the decision to reduce our hours of operation to Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. These appointment times will be reserved for medical & emergency appointments only (with the exception of puppy & kitten vaccination visits).
We will still be following our new protocol for appointments & we are asking all clients to please stay in their vehicle once they arrive & call us at 256-859-5511.
We are also working on a new app to provide your pets' information at your fingertips. This app will also provide a telemedicine option for those who would prefer not to leave the house, but may still have a need for their pet to be seen by Dr.Combs during this national pandemic. Once we have more information, we will keep you updated & you will receive an email to opt in.
We will be offering delivery of prescription medications, food & product refill for a $5 fee. This will be offered to clients within a 15 mile radius of Winchester Road Animal Hospital. Deliveries will be dropped at your residence & offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Please call us for more information.
We would like to thank all of our clients & patients again during this time. We would like to stay open as long as possible to provide the care you & your pets need, so we ask that you please be patient with us as things are changing daily.
Stay healthy & pet the babies for us!
Dr. Melinda Combs & Staff of Winchester Road Animal Hospital
UPDATED: March 23, 2020
Thank you to all our wonderful clients for understanding our ever changing protocols at this time.
As of today, March 23, 2020, we are no longer allowing clients in the animal hospital. We are wanting to take every precaution to keep our staff & clients healthy so we can continue to stay open.
We will still be seeing patients for sick/medical, or emergency basis, but we are asking all those to please stay in their vehicle once they arrive & call us at 256-859-5511. One of our staff members will give you a call when they are ready for you & ask that you please come to our door to pass off your pet to keep as safe a distance as possible. Once the doctor has examined your pet, they will give you a call to discuss findings.
At the moment, we will be postponing any annual vaccine visits until April 15th, 2020 for pets over 1 year of age, as well as all elective surgeries.
Our staff will be able to assist you with any of your needs, whether it be for product, prescription or food, we are still here! Also, there has been a shortage or "hoarding" of some of the diets, so we are recommending clients, especially those on prescription foods, to please call as soon as possible if they are in need!
We ask that you please be patient with us as we are changing protocols every day & we will try our best to keep everyone updated as things progress!
Thank you to all our wonderful clients for understanding our ever changing protocols at this time.
As of today, March 23, 2020, we are no longer allowing clients in the animal hospital. We are wanting to take every precaution to keep our staff & clients healthy so we can continue to stay open.
We will still be seeing patients for sick/medical, or emergency basis, but we are asking all those to please stay in their vehicle once they arrive & call us at 256-859-5511. One of our staff members will give you a call when they are ready for you & ask that you please come to our door to pass off your pet to keep as safe a distance as possible. Once the doctor has examined your pet, they will give you a call to discuss findings.
At the moment, we will be postponing any annual vaccine visits until April 15th, 2020 for pets over 1 year of age, as well as all elective surgeries.
Our staff will be able to assist you with any of your needs, whether it be for product, prescription or food, we are still here! Also, there has been a shortage or "hoarding" of some of the diets, so we are recommending clients, especially those on prescription foods, to please call as soon as possible if they are in need!
We ask that you please be patient with us as we are changing protocols every day & we will try our best to keep everyone updated as things progress!
UPDATE: March 20, 2020
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact continues to develop, Winchester Road Animal Hospital wants you to know that the health & safety of our patients, clients & staff is always our top priority. Often in times of uncertainty, there can be a wealth of misinformation spread, especially in today’s digital age, and we want you to stay informed. At the moment, we are committed to keeping our hospital open & operating during regular business hours & will be following the Center for Disease Control & World Health Organization guidelines.
Our main goal is to continue to provide usual services for you & your pets, but we are also taking further appropriate & necessary actions to follow through on our commitment to keep a safe & healthy environment for all of us.
We love & care about all of our clients & patients! But with these guidelines in place, we will also be trying to keep a safe distance of at least 3-6 ft. So, unfortunately that means no hugs, handshakes or close contact from our employees. Smiles are always welcome!
Please take a moment to read information from the following credible sources:
Sincerely,
Dr. Melinda Combs, DVM
President/Medical Director
Our main goal is to continue to provide usual services for you & your pets, but we are also taking further appropriate & necessary actions to follow through on our commitment to keep a safe & healthy environment for all of us.
- We will be sanitizing/wiping down all hard surfaces several times throughout the day. All exam rooms will continue to be wiped down thoroughly between each appointment.
- We have hand sanitizer available at check-in & check-out, please feel welcome to use it!
- If you or any member of your family are exhibiting signs of illness, we ask that you please reschedule your pets’ appointment.
- Please schedule appointments ahead of time to reduce wait time. This will enable us to better prepare for your pets’ health needs prior to arrival. We also ask that the number of people who accompany each pet to the hospital be limited as much as possible.
- To reduce wait time in our lobby, we are encouraging any client with an appointment to stay in their vehicle & call the hospital when they arrive. We will then have a Client Care Specialist call you to let you know when an exam room becomes available. We encourage you to use the admission forms we have available on our website, or we would be happy to email them to you prior to your appointment.
- For any individuals that need product or prescription pick-up, we are offering for you to pay-by-phone & call the hospital when you arrive. A Client Care Specialist will bring your product/prescription to your car for you. (If you do opt to take advantage of this, please be patient if you do have to wait a few minutes!)
We love & care about all of our clients & patients! But with these guidelines in place, we will also be trying to keep a safe distance of at least 3-6 ft. So, unfortunately that means no hugs, handshakes or close contact from our employees. Smiles are always welcome!
Please take a moment to read information from the following credible sources:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- World Health Organization
- American Veterinary Medical Association
Sincerely,
Dr. Melinda Combs, DVM
President/Medical Director
