Our Response to Transmissible Disease
Ruff Day Vet may require the use of masks under certain circumstances in order to mitigate health risks and to support the common defense of our local community.
UPDATED 5/31/2023
Though the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency has expired, there are many practices that will remain in place to provide safety and security. In addition to maintaining a high rate of air circulation, regular cleaning of the office, and maintaining a focus on safety, we will maintain a mask policy that aims to protect pets, clients and staff at Ruff Day. Our scheduling policies for office visits remain in place:
Ruff Day's last-minute cancellation fee will be waived if you are ill and cannot make it to the appointment. If you are feeling under the weather, please text or call the office (253-252-0127) to cancel any scheduled appointments. We will reschedule once you're feeling better.
If you have been exposed to the novel coronavirus (or any bug that may be highly transmissible and/or concerning), even if you are feeling fine, please text or call to cancel any scheduled appointments.
If you are coughing or sneezing due to illness, please wear a mask.
If Ruff Day staff are feeling sick, we will call or text you to reschedule your appointment to a later date.
If you are an older adult, have chronic medical conditions that make you higher risk, have a compromised immune system, or are a caretaker for any individuals like this, please make us aware of any special needs you have prior to visiting so we have time to discuss your personal situation and maximize your safety.
Please help us to keep all who visit Ruff Day Vet safe, so that we can maximize our chances of maintaining good health, and thank you!
We’re all in this together, and Safety is our #1 priority
UPDATED 3/11/2021
Congratulations to California, Oregon, and Washington! We are starting the process of opening up, with mask mandates being lifted in most indoor settings at midnight tonight. While your Ruff Day staff are very excited for the return of some sense of normalcy, we are remaining mindful of the fact that COVID has not disappeared entirely.
The Ruff Day Pet Gym is a fun, laid back space of healing. It’s easy for our visitors to forget that we are a doctor’s office providing important medical therapeutic interventions (we like it that way!). Please be kind to our staff as you remember that MASKS ARE STILL REQUIRED IN MEDICAL OFFICES. We will continue to provide masks at the door, in the event that you forgot yours at home.
Stay healthy, friends!
Heather and Adam, Ruff Day Vet
UPDATED 1/25/2021
With a new year comes two very big announcements:
#1 - The Ruff Day Pet Gym is now open and operational! COVID-19 protocols are in place to keep pets and humans safe while providing the highest quality care. As such, properly worn face masks are required (they must cover the mouth and nose completely), social distancing will be maintained at all times, and office surfaces that come into contact with guests will be cleaned between visits. Additionally, we maintain a high rate of air circulation in accordance with best practices. We ask guests to please not be more than 5 minutes early to allow for regular cleaning between appointments.
#2 - Our in-home acupuncture, laser, and massage service has re-opened to new patients with the following safety guidelines in place:
Scheduling Policies:
Ruff Day's last-minute cancellation fee is being waived. If you are feeling under the weather, even if your symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, please text or call me (253-252-0127) to cancel any scheduled appointments. We will reschedule once you're feeling better.
If you have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and/or are awaiting test results for it, even if you are feeling fine, please text or call me to cancel any scheduled appointments.
If I am feeling sick, even if my symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, and I have an appointment scheduled with your pet, I will call or text you to reschedule that appointment to a later date.
I am taking my temperature prior to leaving home for housecall appointments, and if it is abnormal, I will call or text you to reschedule your appointment.
If you are an older adult, have chronic medical conditions that make you higher risk ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html), have a compromised immune system, or are a caretaker for any individuals like this, and your pet does require care, together we MUST prioritize your safety first. I strongly recommend having a family member, friend, or neighbor take your pet to their house for treatment.
In-Home Appointment Policies:
When possible, the appointment should be performed in an area of the house that is not frequently occupied by people (a garage, a spare bedroom--this may not always be possible, and that's ok; we do the best we can with what we have).
No more than TWO people can be in the treatment room with me at a time. I will wear a mask, and will require you to wear a mask or face covering that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of the appointment.
Everything will be cleaned and sanitized* before entering your home, and again after leaving your home. As such, I will be traveling lightly, and not bringing my full kit into each appointment.
Due to the massive amount of cleaning and sanitizing* that is required between appointments, only FOUR appointments will be scheduled per day, including established and new patients. I realize this drastically limits my availability, but it is necessary in order for me to maximize safety for myself, my family, and your family. Appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.
Cash is preferred to avoid having to bring my credit card reader and take signatures on my phone. For now, there is a $5 cash discount on treatment appointments, and a $10 cash discount on new consultations.
*Note, some equipment cannot be safely sanitized, and that equipment will be packed in single-use plastic for human safety. We care about our planet, and we look forward to changing this policy as soon as it is safe to do so.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO EXERCISE KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND COMMON SENSE DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
Dr. Heather Misener
UPDATED 12/15/2020
Due to recent increases in Covid-19 numbers, as well as a need to take some personal time at the end of this most disruptive year, Ruff Day is closing to all new patients until further notice. We are still seeing a limited number of active patients with pre-established safety protocols in place.
We anticipate reopening for new in-home services patients in January.
We are also very excited to announce the opening of our new office space in Gig Harbor in 2021! Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Thank you all for hanging in there with Ruff Day through what has proven to be a year of challenges and grief. We are looking forward to the opportunities that come with a new calendar year, and are excited to make the most of all that 2021 will have to offer!
Happy Holidays from your friends at Ruff Day. We’ll see you in 2021!
Dr. Heather Misener
UPDATED 5/6/2020
We are very excited to announce that Ruff Day will be reopening our in-home acupuncture service to new patients on Monday, May 18, 2020! We have been open for established patients, with improved cleaning and safety protocols, for a week and a half, and this “soft” reopening has gone really well.
The following safety policies are in place now, and are effective at least through the month of June, 2020.
Scheduling Policies:
Ruff Day's last-minute cancellation fee is being waived. If you are feeling under the weather, even if your symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, please text or call me (253-252-0127) to cancel any scheduled appointments. We will reschedule once you're feeling better.
If you have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and/or are awaiting test results for it, even if you are feeling fine, please text or call me to cancel any scheduled appointments.
If I am feeling sick, even if my symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, and I have an appointment scheduled with your pet, I will call or text you to reschedule that appointment to a later date.
I am taking my temperature prior to leaving home for housecall appointments, and if it is abnormal, I will call or text you to reschedule your appointment.
If you are an older adult, have chronic medical conditions that make you higher risk ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html), have a compromised immune system, or are a caretaker for any individuals like this, and your pet does require care, together we MUST prioritize your safety first. I strongly recommend having a family member, friend, or neighbor take your pet to their house for treatment.
In-Home Appointment Policies:
When possible, the appointment should be performed in an area of the house that is not frequently occupied by people (a garage, a spare bedroom--this may not always be possible, and that's ok; we do the best we can with what we have).
No more than ONE person can be in the treatment room with me at a time. I will wear a mask, and will require you to wear a mask or face covering that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of the appointment.
Everything will be cleaned and sanitized* before entering your home, and again after leaving your home. As such, I will be traveling lightly, and not bringing my full kit into each appointment (this is why the Medical Fitness is still closed).
Due to the massive amount of cleaning and sanitizing* that is required between appointments, only THREE appointments will be scheduled per day, including established and new patients. I realize this drastically limits my availability, but it is necessary in order for me to maximize safety for myself, my family, and your family. Appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.
Cash is preferred to avoid having to bring my credit card reader and take signatures on my phone. For now, there is a $5 cash discount on treatment appointments, and a $10 cash discount on new consultations.
*Note, some equipment cannot be safely sanitized, and that equipment will be packed in single-use plastic for human safety. We care about our planet, and we look forward to changing this policy as soon as it is safe to do so.
We will continue to update our practices as the disease situation further develops.
Special COVID-19 Pricing
Because I am unable to provide much of my normal rehabilitation services, my normal in-home consultation is being temporarily reduced from $320 to $210 (if paying cash, $200 with the cash discount), and is being cut from 90 minutes to about 60 minutes. This consultation fee includes the first acupuncture treatment, if medically appropriate.
Normal travel fees to certain zip codes do apply--see FAQ for more information about travel fees.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO EXERCISE KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND COMMON SENSE DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
Dr. Heather Misener
UPDATED 3/31/2020
As the pandemic continues to change, I continue to do the very best that I can to stay on top of the recommendations coming from experts in Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine, Infectious Disease and Epidemiology.
Under normal circumstances, I strongly feel that it is important to stick to a routine schedule when using acupuncture to treat pain. Unfortunately, these are not normal circumstances.
In light of the rapid increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Pierce county this weekend, and before this number inevitably grows higher throughout our region, I have made the very difficult decision to suspend ALL housecall services provided by Ruff Day until further notice.
I anticipate this interruption to last at least 2 weeks, and all scheduled appointments between March 31 and April 10 are being cancelled. New appointments are not being scheduled at this time. I promise to keep you all posted as things continue to change, and I hope to get back to treating your pets as soon as possible!
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO EXERCISE KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND COMMON SENSE DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
Dr. Heather Misener
UPDATED 3/24/2020
As a small business owner, and as a human being, I have been following the COVID-19 situation closely. Governor Inslee announced yesterday that all non-essential businesses must close over the next 48 hours. I applaud our Governor for treating this pandemic with the seriousness it deserves, and mandating social distancing/isolation on a broader level. Ruff Day has been operating under the guidelines released by the AVMA last week in which non-essential veterinary services should be suspended.
The treatment of pain is never considered an "optional" service. Rest assured that the treatment of your pet's pain remains my number one priority, and the in-home acupuncture service is still serving established patients (with some procedural changes, below). Many of the services that are provided by Ruff Day are important, but they are not medically essential in the midst of a public health crisis such as the one we’re in now. For this reason, I have temporarily suspended Ruff Day’s Medical Fitness service until further notice.
Many of my current and future clients are members of COVID-19 high-risk populations--older and/or immunocompromised individuals. It is those of you who have a higher risk of developing complications associated with COVID-19 who have been in my thoughts every day as this situation develops. Above all else, I want to ensure your safety.
As such, effective immediately and at least through the end of April 2020, Ruff Day is temporarily instituting the following policies:
Ruff Day's last-minute cancellation fee is being waived. If you are feeling under the weather, even if your symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, please text or call me (253-252-0127) to cancel any scheduled appointments. We will reschedule once you're feeling better.
If you have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and/or are awaiting test results for it, even if you are feeling fine, please text or call me to cancel any scheduled appointments.
If I am feeling sick, even if my symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, and I have an appointment scheduled with your pet, I will call or text you to reschedule that appointment to a later date.
I am taking my temperature prior to leaving home for any scheduled appointment, and if it is abnormal, I will call or text you to reschedule your appointment.
New acupuncture patients are being accepted on a case-by-case basis, and only by direct referral from a veterinarian.
If you are an older adult, have chronic medical conditions that make you higher risk ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html), have a compromised immune system, or are a caretaker for any individuals like this, and your pet does require care, together we MUST prioritize your safety first. I strongly recommend having a family member, friend, or neighbor take your pet to their house for treatment. Travel fees for travel outside my normal service area are being waived to accommodate these situations for established patients.
We will continue to update our practices as the disease situation further develops.
THANK YOU FOR EXERCISING KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND COMMON SENSE DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
Dr. Heather Misener