Important Message from Schmitt's Animal Hospital

We’re reaching out to you today to address a serious matter. Please read this message in its entirety and with an open heart.

Lately and with increasing frequency our staff have been subject to inappropriate and uncalled for verbal abuse. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  

The pandemic has had drastic effects on the world of veterinary medicine. The number of household pets nationwide has increased dramatically and due to Covid related complications, the industry is struggling to keep up with demand. Our schedule is tight. We see as many patients as we can in a day while still practicing our best medicine. Yes, that means there is a limit on what we can do. If we refer you to an emergency hospital, it is in the best interest of your pet as we physically do not have the capacity to provide the urgent care your pet needs. 

Nationally, the pandemic has exacerbated the pace and pressure of veterinary medicine, spotlighting burnout and exhaustion in staff of all roles. Did you know that the suicide rate is 2.1 times higher for male veterinarians and 3.5 times higher for female veterinarians compared to the general population? We invite you to visit https://nomv.org/# for more information.

​Our team members are members of your community. Your neighbors. They come to work every day because they love your pets. We should not have to ask for them to be treated with respect, but here we are. Be kind to our staff. Be patient. All complaints and misunderstandings can be approached and resolved in a calm and decent manner. We are here to help you and work with you, but will not allow our team to be subjected to combative and abusive behavior.