Bill Leonard
What is it about pets, especially dogs and cats, that hold a special place in our hearts? For many, they are not just animals, but they become family members, confidants, and sources of comfort during life's up and downs. What drives this deep emotional connection? What do pets offer us in return?
At the core of our human-pet bond is companionship. Dogs greet us with tail wags and excitement. Cats curl up in our laps with a comfortable purring.
Our pets listen without judgment, are always present, and seemingly create a sense of purpose. A dog needs walking. A cat needs feeding. These routines add structure and meaning to daily life.
For some, pets often serve as emotional anchors, providing stability and a reason to get out of bed every day.
Yet what happens when your pet gets sick? It can trigger a range of emotions in us – fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt, and even anger. Now add in the fact that veterinary care is not inexpensive, and you may not be able to afford it.
What do you do?
That is where Reno residents are fortunate to have Options Veterinary Care (Options) as the only nonprofit veterinary clinic serving the public in Northern Nevada. Options' mission is to help people who cannot fully afford veterinary care for their beloved pets.
Options was the brainchild of two long-time animal people in Reno. Dr. Diana Lucree and Denise Stevens. This pair founded Community Cats 25 years ago, which is still going strong today.
Their next mission was to create a clinic to help people who didn't have the financial means to afford top-notch veterinary care. Diana and Denise had previously worked with Humane Network and decided to join forces to create Options Veterinary Care.
With a gift to open the clinic from the estate of Jackie Brander – a lifelong animal lover – Options opened in November 2020 and is celebrating its 4th anniversary. Dr. Lucree still performs spay/neuter surgeries for community cats at Options each Tuesday.
As a nonprofit clinic, Options is able to provide care to pets owned by people who can't afford veterinary care by:
• Utilizing "incremental care" (patient-centered, experience-based medicine focused on a problem-solving approach to achieve the best possible outcomes through prevention, early diagnosis, and intervention).
• Kind donors who give money to Options to enable the clinic to provide care to pets who would otherwise suffer without it.
• Here is a sobering statistic. A May 2019 Federal Reserve Survey found that almost 40% of American adults couldn't cover a $400 emergency with cash, savings, or a credit card charge they could quickly pay off.
That is why Options Veterinary Care has enormously impacted veterinary care affordability.
Today, Options has 28 staff members, including one full-time veterinarian and six part-time vets. In addition, the team includes licensed veterinary technicians, vet assistants, customer service/reception staff, and management staff.
Even with limited space, the Options clinic has four exam rooms, a surgical suite including anesthesia machines, a treatment and prep area, a digital x-ray machine, in-house lab testing (blood tests and urinalysis), a fully stocked pharmacy, and a dental room with dental x-ray capability.
In addition to spaying/neutering, Options surgeons can perform a variety of other lifesaving surgeries, including removal of tumors, foreign bodies, painful bladder stones, surgical repair, some types of fractures or amputation when needed, enucleation (removal of a damaged eye), and other surgeries including dental extractions.
Challenges? Fundraising is an ongoing need and the biggest challenge facing Options. The nationwide veterinarian and technician shortage poses a unique challenge when recent research data shows that pet ownership is increasing.
Another challenge is that Options would love to find better ways to encourage people to seek veterinary care sooner rather than later.
How is Options overcoming these challenges? Fundraising remains all important. Options offers competitive wages and flexible work schedules, does not have quotas, or expects staff to upsell.
Client education is a daily effort. Volunteers are always welcome.
What is Options Veterinary Care's vision for its future?
Options wants to open a second clinic and expand its capacity.
So far, in 2024, Options has served more than 8,800 dogs and cats and will exceed 9,000 by the end of this year. Options is a big supporter of pet microchip technology and continues to partner with Petco Love Lost. This program utilizes facial recognition technology to identify lost pets and reunite them with their owner.
Options Veterinary Care believes no pet should suffer due to financial reasons. Options doesn't want to see people turn to already overcrowded animal shelters out of desperation, hoping that if they surrender their pet, the animal will get needed veterinary care and not suffer. Many times that is not the case.
It's a given that pets satisfy a deep need for connection. Pets bring people together. If you are a pet owner with limited financial resources, you now have an affordable alternative to benefit your pet and yourself. That resource is Reno-based Options Veterinary Care.
NCET Tech Wednesday, Jan. 8, is your opportunity to learn more about Options Veterinary Care.
Sign up early for the Options Veterinary Care presentation from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and networking from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
During your visit, you will see and hear about:
• Options staff who provide care for your pets
• Increasing use of technology in veterinary care
• Why clinics like Options are needed
• Veterinary care challenges and successes
• The future and potential of telemedicine serving rural areas where veterinary services are scarce.
So don't be late. Register now by visiting NCET.org.
NCET produces education and networking events to help people explore business and technology.
Bill Leonard is VP of Communications at NCET and a ghostwriter for startup founders, business leaders, and consultants seeking to boost their influence and authority. Connect with Bill at LinkedIn or GhostwritingInk.com.
