Theo Kocher

Product Name:  Pets and Vets and Owners Oh My

Topic/Problem description: 

Everyone with a pet knows that going to the vet can be a real hassle. Animals are not happy to be poked and prodded by an unknown person and that is only made worse by being in an environment full of unfamiliar stimuli. They are often very anxious which can affect the results of the exam or even cause the animal to lash out at their doctor.

Vets often try to accommodate their patients, modifying their clinical approach in order to minimize animals’ anxiety. They will do exams on the floor, reach under chairs, or lift heavy animals up onto tables all in the name of creatures’ comfort. Because of this veterinary practitioners have the highest rate of workplace injury out of any profession in the U.S. Over 99% of vets experience some type of musculoskeletal pain caused by their jobs, mostly concentrated in the back/neck or wrist/hand. It’s a deceptively physical job that is only made more difficult by having to accommodate scared patients.

Pet owners see the vet exam through their animal’s eyes. When it’s difficult to get them in the door and they are visibly scared it leaves an impression on the owner. Owners are more likely to delay care for their pet when they’ve had bad reactions to the vet in the past. This only leads to delayed care and worse outcomes for the animal. Reducing anxiety in patients and workload on vets would make for a better experience for all parties involved.

Solution:

By redesigning the typical vet exam table and work area, we can make it more comfortable for both doctor, and animal. The solution comes with a bevy of features designed to make the space more modular, and more comfortable.

The first major aspect of the solution is a moveable set of stairs that allow animals to get up to the exam table on their own, while also allowing the vet to get a good view of their gait and underside. The staircase has a set of retractable wheels as well as storage drawers meaning it can go anywhere it needs while not wasting any of the precious space in a clinic.

The table itself can raise and lower, meaning vets can work at whatever height is most comfortable to them. It also has mounting rails on both sides of the workspace, meaning that any peripherals or extra equipment needed for an exam can be easily attached within arms reach. These peripherals include a “cat cave” with multiple openings. Cats tend to prefer small and enclosed spaces so this allows vets to leave them in their preferred space while still having access from multiple angles.

The final aspect of the solution is its use of lick mats. These are rubber mats with crevices that can be spread with peanut butter in order to keep animals enriched and occupied. This redesigned vet area has multiple surfaces where these can stick in order to keep an animal engaged in whatever position a vet may need them. Hopefully all these changes will lead to a better exam experience for the vet, the pet, and the owner.