Book Your Pet's Appointment

You've done the research. You're ready to take the next step. Use the scheduler below to find a time that works for you.

Coming soon: a short video walking you through what to expect at your first visit.

What to Expect

Your first visit is a 75-minute consultation. That's enough time for Dr. Heather to take a thorough history, perform a mobility exam, begin treatment, and — when appropriate — send you home with a starter home exercise program.

This isn't a drop-off appointment. You'll be present for the entire visit, and what you share about your pet's history, goals, and daily life is part of the clinical picture. Come prepared to be a participant, not just an observer.

Follow-up appointments are typically 15 to 45 minutes, depending on what's being addressed. Every visit is with Dr. Heather, often with Adam as well.

What Makes This Work

The practices that get the best results here have one thing in common: they show up fully. To appointments, to the home exercise plan, to the process.

There's no passive path to a better outcome for your pet. What you put in is what they get out. We bring everything we have to every visit — the expertise, the time, the tools, the full attention. The outcomes you're hoping for depend on you bringing the same energy between visits.

That means doing the home exercises. Watching your pet between sessions and noting what changes. Communicating early when something isn't working. Keeping appointments and reaching out ahead of time when life gets in the way.

We're not asking for perfection. We're asking for engagement. That's the whole game.

Scheduling Expectations

We run a small practice by design — one pet and family in the gym at a time. That means every appointment slot matters, and last-minute changes have a real impact on other pets waiting for care.

Here's what we ask:

  • Schedule and manage your own appointments online. We'll show you how at your first visit.

  • Cancel or reschedule with at least 72 hours' notice whenever possible. The earlier, the better — it opens the slot for another pet.

  • Keep track of your own schedule. Our automated reminders are a backup, not a substitute.

  • If you're sick, contact us before your appointment — we'll waive the late cancellation fee. Your health and ours matters.

If scheduling issues become a recurring pattern, we may need to have a conversation about whether the relationship is working for both of us. That's not a threat — it's a reflection of how small practices stay healthy enough to keep helping the pets who need them most.

Cancellation Policy

We keep these fees transparent because we'd rather you know upfront than be surprised later.

  • No fee with 72+ hours notice

  • 25% of appointment cost — cancellation with less than 72 hours notice

  • 50% of appointment cost — cancellation within 48 hours

  • 100% of appointment cost — cancellation within 24 hours or no-show

Illness exceptions: if you or a household member is unwell, text or call us and the late fee is waived. We operate with a small team — if we get sick, your appointments are affected too. We take this seriously in both directions.

Arrival

We work hard to start and end on time so you don't have to wait and neither does the next family.

  • Arrive in our parking lot 5–10 minutes early for a pre-appointment potty break.

  • Come to the door no sooner than 5 minutes before your appointment. Check the door sign — if it's red and closed, we're still with the previous patient.

  • More than 10 minutes late may mean a shortened or rescheduled appointment.

  • Need help getting your pet from the car to the gym? Let us know ahead of time so we can have a plan ready.

Preparing for Your Visit

After you book, you'll receive a detailed preparation email with everything you need to know: what to bring, how to set up your pet for success, arrival instructions, and a short video we recommend watching beforehand.

The short version:

  • Bring treats your pet is motivated by — small, high-value, and plenty of them.

  • A light meal before the appointment keeps motivation high. Save part of their meal as treats if they work well for food.

  • Bring any mobility aids currently in use: harnesses, braces, wheelchairs, or devices you're considering.

  • Bring a written or photographed medication and supplement list.

  • If you have questions or goals you want to address, write them down. We cover a lot of ground.

Full preparation details: ruffday.vet/preparing-for-your-visit

Health & Safety

We maintain a mask policy based on current conditions and household risk. If you're immunocompromised or caring for someone who is, let us know ahead of your visit so we can take appropriate steps.

If we're feeling unwell, we'll contact you to reschedule. We ask the same in return.

What Clients Say About the First Visit

"It's not like a normal vet experience. It's calming and more like going to a friend's house. Our dog, who hates the vet, was able to be way more comfortable — they get on her level, doing treatments on the floor with a nice comfy rug and dog bed. They really are able to calm and befriend a usually anxious pup."

— Jake, dog owner

Ready to book?

Scroll up to the scheduler, or reach us directly if you have questions before booking.

Email: hello@ruffday.vet Text: 253-252-0127