Improving client communication and strengthening between veterinary practice staff and horse owners are central to the newly released Effective Equine Care Guide.
Developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the guidelines follow recent data from the AVMA and the Banfield Pet Hospital,1 showing nine out of 10 veterinarians faced negative or escalated client interactions in the past year. When asked if a resource outlining shared expectations and responsibilities could help strengthen their relationship with clients, seven out of 10 veterinarians said yes, as reported by the AVMA. Additionally, the survey reports nearly eight out of 10 clients agree.
“The release of the Effective Equine Care Guide marks a significant step forward in the care of horses in the United States,” says Rena Carlson, DVM, president of the AVMA. “This collaborative effort, at its core, is about nurturing the relationships between veterinarians, their teams, and horse owners to ensure the best possible care for these magnificent animals.” Dr. Carlson adds the guide aims to empower both veterinary professionals and horse owners through open communication and mutual respect, “leading not just to healthier horses, but also stronger, more positive relationships in our professional lives.”
The Effective Equine Care Guide is modelled after the 2023 Positive Pet Care Guide, a resource developed by the AVMA and an industry-wide working group outlining shared expectations of both veterinary professionals and pet owners. You can download a copy of the 2023 Positive Pet Care Guide to help foster healthy and effective communication in your clinic. Both guides can be printed out and displayed in the clinic or provided to clients as a reference sheet.
For more information on resources, access the AVMA’s reputation management toolkit or download a copy of the AVMA Veterinarian-client agreement for effective equine care.
Reference
- https://www.banfield.com/about-banfield/newsroom/press-releases/2023/banfield-pet-hospital-avma-surveys-positive-pet-care-partnerships