Use wellness binders to build a bond with clients

Clients can find pet care advice anywhere: from Twitter to great uncle Al, who used to breed cocker spaniels in his backyard. To make sure pet owners are getting the most credible advice from sources you trust, consider this tip from Dr. Jennifer Goetz, owner of Animal Hospital at Brier Creek in Raleigh, N.C.

"For every new patient, we send home a three-ring binder full of wellness information," she says. The practice purchases inexpensive binders in bulk with clear covers, and team members insert a sheet of paper printed with the practice's logo and "Phoebe's medical records" on the front. The team then fills the binder with pamphlets and healthcare information related to the pet's age, from puppy or kitten to adult and senior, and species, whether it's a dog or cat.

"We keep premade kits for each species and age category in a file drawer and make a bunch ahead of time," Dr. Goetz says. "The binders help us educate pet parents and increase compliance with wellness recommendations such as dental care, heartworm prevention, and wellness blood work."

Clients provide the best proof that the program works. "Some bring in their binders to fill with new discharge sheets and handouts at every visit," Dr. Goetz says. "And I've seen clients reading the binder in the room while they were waiting. We get lots of compliments."