The health and wellbeing of our veterinarians, staff and clients are of utmost importance. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are raising the level of our healthy practice procedures. We are following the recommendations provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners Infectious Disease Committee.

We request that you DO NOT ENTER OUR PREMISES if you are unwell and in particular if you have the following symptoms:

• Fever – a temperature of 37.5°C or higher
• Cough and/or sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Have travelled to an area of active COVID-19 transmission within the previous two weeks
• Have been in contact with another person diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

Please arrange for another person without these symptoms to bring your horse to our clinic.

In order to reduce the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 during visits by clients to the Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Clinic we please ask that clients obey the following procedures:

• We require all clients to telephone reception from their car on arrival at the clinic. Please call and await instructions before unloading your horse. Please DO NOT enter reception on arrival.
• Please do not be offended but our staff have been instructed to follow a no-hand-shake policy with clients and visitors to the clinic/hospital as well as with each other. Hand sanitization between all client interactions is required.
• We request that the number of individuals attending an appointment be limited to one owner or handler per horse. Additional owners can be asked to join the appointment via FaceTime or speakerphone.
• We will be conducting contactless consultations. After a brief interview with you to ascertain any relevant history and your requests for our examination, we will perform the necessary tests or procedures while you wait in your vehicle. We will call you for clarifications while this is occurring. After the examination of your horse, we will discuss our findings with you in person. If more than 15 mins are required for this, the veterinarian will call you via telephone.
• Please then proceed to reception to pay your account. We have tap and pay for all procedures and our EFTPOS machines are sanitised regularly.
• We will ensure that our practice, ambulatory vehicles and equipment are cleaned using appropriate disinfectants for COVID-19. We will focus cleaning efforts on door and stall handles, railings, flat door handles, shared practice equipment and other frequently touched surfaces.
• It may be possible to conduct telemedicine (facetime, video or photo) rechecks for patients.

The following resources provide credible guidance regarding COVID-19 and overall community safety measures:

• DHHS Victoria – Coronavirus
• Centers for DiseaseControl: Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Communities
• World Health Organization

Many thanks for your understanding and assistance during this very challenging time.

The Partners and Staff

Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Clinic