Pet- & People-Friendly Building Designs for Animal Clinics

People love their pets – and veterinary care has grown to support this priority. According to risk management firm Ankura, the veterinary services industry has grown an average of 5% over the past 10 years, and that upward trend is expected to continue. More people than ever have a pet, and animals are often integral parts of the family. Preventative treatments, general healthcare, and the desire to extend an animal’s quality of life all make veterinary care more important than ever.

Vet clinics and animal hospitals are keeping up with the evolving market by adding facilities and renovating existing structures – building in functionality along with comfort for patients and their owners. Over the years, we’ve built many clinics across Northeast Ohio, helping DVMs dramatically reshape and improve their facilities while proactively managing costs. Here are several patient-friendly building design features we often consider:

Think “Wellness” Not “Hospital”

Veterinary care often covers more than pet exams and treatment. Boarding, grooming, dental care and other services all need their space. Designing a wellness-forward environment can help assure customers across a range of services trust your facility. It’s important to look at components such as:

HVAC: Zoned systems can be set up to cover every area – exam rooms, surgery and kennels – in ways that prevent airborne disease spread.
Lighting: Dimming features and warm lighting zones can help calm anxious pet owners.
Electrical: Does your facility need to accommodate CT, MRI or ultrasound equipment? Conduits should be built in to power these valuable assets.
Lobby: Lounge-style seating and separate areas for cats and dogs can help keep pets relaxed.
End of life care: Private exit routes give grieving families the space they need after saying goodbye.

More Privacy = Less Stress

Vet visits are often stressful for animals. A building’s design can play a role in reducing this stress with thoughtful planning.

Soundproofing and acoustic ceiling panels can help suppress barking noise, and reduce echoes or other sounds that put pets on edge. Masonry block or PVC-clad panels can also help with noise reduction.
An oversized exam room can be included to accommodate large dogs or multiple pets at once.
Floor level equipment or scales mean pets won’t need to be lifted onto tables. These can give pets room to roam while allowing vets to get the critical data they need.

Surfaces Built for Cleaning – and Claws

Any healthcare provider needs to consider the durability of the materials used throughout their building, and how spaces will hold up under constant cleaning and sterilization. For vet practices, this becomes particularly challenging, since materials also need to withstand claws and provide traction.

Flooring that’s non-slip and tested on pet usage can provide traction and comfort for paws.
Covered baseboards eliminate dirt and trapped fur while standing up to dusting and cleaning.
Rounded corners help keep rowdy pets from pulling owners or staff into tripping and bumping hazards.
Durable wall protection – such as wainscotting – can enhance a building’s aesthetic while reducing wear and tear in high-traffic areas.

Ready to get started?

We’ve utilized our design-build method with countless veterinary practices across Northeast Ohio. This experience helps streamline the entire construction process. Plus, when you work with a design-build company like STAR, we take care of overseeing the entire construction process, so you can focus on providing for your patients. Ready to learn more? Contact us today.