More Than Half of You Welcome Pets Into Your Eyecare Business

Question:

Do you allow clients to bring their pets into your business?

Yes: 52%

• We live near a farm community so we have lots of dogs come to the office. We let them come as long as they behave. We also close the lab door for them and children. — K Elizabeth Bouravnev, Bergh White Opticians, Springfield, IL
• Because we love to give rubs and scratches. — Diana Bishop, Eclectic Eyewear, Austin, TX
• On a leash. — Chris Gregg, Inver Grove Heights Family Eye Clinic, Inver Grove Heights, MN
• No pit bulls or viscous cats. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
• Only if they ask. I do not promote it. On a leash, by the owner, and I ask about the animals personality. — BJ Chambers, Carrera Optical, McQueeney, TX
• Some patients have service dogs, they are typically the ones who bring them. Other patients know we love critters and they bring them by to say hello! — Deb Jaeger, Eye Center of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND
• Yes. We have a Polaroid dog wall of all our clients dogs and cats. Dog bowl outside. Treats. We treat our clients pets as part of their family and love to meet them and watch them grow up. — Jason Klepfisz, OD, Urban Eye Care LLC, Phoenix, AZ
• We have a dog water bowl outside our small-town Main street office so we are pet friendly. We offer low vision so we see service dogs as well. Companion dogs are also welcome. It has not been abused or been an issue for us. — Scott Mann, OD, INVISION, Christiansburg, VA
• Staff are animal lovers; the pets we have had in the office have been well behaved. — Sonja Franklin, OD, Modern Eyes, Austin, TX
• We allow service animals, but we do occasionally allow small dogs of the owners can’t leave them at home, etc.; it’s extremely rare. — Heather Aites, Family Vision Center, Westminster, CO
• We don’t allow any pets in clinical spaces for all the obvious reasons, but we allow pooches in the waiting area. We don’t advertise that we allow it, but we don’t turn pooches away when they walk in. It’s backfired on us a few times when a pup has tried to mark their turf … but, not that many people bring their own dogs in, long-time customers ask for a greeting from the office dog instead! — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
• Our boutique is in a very pet-friendly area and the very few patients that bring their pets in always have them on a leash. The pets themselves are very well behaved, so there has never been an issue with animals misbehaving. — Pablo E Mercado, Highland Eye Boutique, Alpharetta, GA
• Only emotional support animals. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
• It’s not a big issue as it rarely happens. But we LOVE dogs! So it’s always fun when one visits. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
• Only the responsible patients we know can control their pets. We’ve had pigs, newborn goats, rescued wild birds on their way to being released, dogs, and cats. As long as they are being held/leashed, it is OK. I even kitten-sat in the upstairs office for the doc a few times. The kittens had free reign and were very much adored by the staff. So much fun! — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
• This doesn’t happen often. When it does, we simply don’t say anything. I feel if they brought the pet, they think it’s acceptable and would not want to ask if the pet was a service animal. Besides, if it is an adorable little puppy, the staff becomes all goo-goo-eyed and starts talking baby talk to it. The owners tend to appreciate our love of animals. — Pam Housley, Texas State Optical of Nederland, Port Arthur, TX
• I used to bring my dog Rojo into the office. She even has her own Facebook page: Rojo the Optipup. — Kevin Count, Prentice Lab, Glenview, IL
• We love all animals; they make better humans! — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
• Service animals only. Allergies are real. — Amie Robinson, Spring Hill Eyecare, Spring Hill, TN
• We’re all pet-friendly, and the only guideline is “NO AGGRESIVE ANIMALS-INCLUDING THE OWNERS”. — Steve Burek, Metro Eye, Milwaukee, WI
• It just started happening a little bit here and there and we’ve never said anything. We also haven’t had anyone bring their pets in for anything other than an adjustment/dispense, not like they are bringing for the whole appointment. There’s also never been any accidents here by anyone’s pets thank goodness! — Tiffany Firer, Lifetime Eyecare, Jenison, MI
• Most dogs are better behaved than some children. If someone is scared or allergic our patients will just take the dog back out. — Kristina Jordan, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
• We’ve always had our own dog in the office and welcome leader dogs. It’s only been an issue since ‘support’ animals came to be. Generally, they are untrained and so we have had to stop allowing those. — Dave Goodrich, Goodrich Optical, Lansing, MI
• I love dogs so anyone who must have their dog with them I allow the dog in with the patient. — Robert M. Easton Jr. OD, FAAO, Oakland Park, FL
• Happens so seldom it just isn’t a big deal. We need all the extra comfort we can get in these Covid days. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
• We have a lot of dog lovers on staff and as patients. Conversation prompted the invites for quick visits. Thinking about visiting a local company that makes dog treats to have in office! — Pam Peters, Midwest Eye, Downers Grove, IL
• We have had shop dogs for years and don’t mind if people bring in the pets. — Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
• We have an awesome doctor who himself had to pets that he brought into the office … both have passed on to that Doggie Heaven in the sky but Bella and Bear were two of the most well-mannered and friendly pets I have ever met. — Chris Clark, Advanced Eye Care Optical Shoppe, Panama City, FL
• I draw the line at elephants. They stomp all over the place and are packed to go at a moment’s notice. — Richard Frankel, OD, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ
• As long as the pet is well behaved we love when our four-legged friends come to visit! — Travis LeFevre, Krystal Vision, Logan, UT
• We’re in a very small town and it just sort of happens on occasion. It usually happens when a patient just stops in while on a walk. We LOVE it! — Judy Scheuerell, Fox Valley Family Eye Care, Little Chute, WI
• We have dog treats! When we see a dog left in a car, we tell the customer we are a pet-friendly office. No one has ever brought their cat to the office … hmmm. — Ron Catterson, Clear View Optix, The Villages, FL
• We have had zero issues with clients bringing inappropriate pets into our business. My optometrist brings her dog to work daily and she stays in her office and snoozes the day away! Occasionally a client will bring in their dog to show us, or a new pet, and even once we had had a client who worked at a shelter bring in four puppies to try to get them foster homes! We have no issues and enjoy it. — Mallory Haun, MetroSpecs Optical Shop, Fayetteville, NC
• I don’t want an animal left in a car in the cold or extreme heat. Most ask if it is allowed. Never have I had any issues. — Dorothy Reynolds, Eyes on Fairfield, Fairfield, CT

No: 48%

• We don’t allow any pets in our office, however we are located right next door to a veterinary practice. Many times patients will accidentally walk into the wrong door. So we get lots of 4-legged visitors! — Christine Howard, Eyes on Plainville, Plainville, MA
• I think pets are called pets for a reason. They are to be outside or at home. — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
• Except for service animals, I have a “No Pets Allowed” policy. Other customers might have pet allergies and the presence of someone’s pet in the store may be dangerous to others. In addition, I am not about to clean up any messes made from someone’s pet in my store. People who are attached to their pets need to leave them outside or not bring them in at all. I love all animals but not in a business setting. This is a healthcare store-setting, not a pet-sitting service. Unfortunately, many people don’t see the difference nor do they care. — Mitchell Kaufman, Marine Park Family Vision, Brooklyn, NY
• It has never been an issue. — Lindsey Pulford, Insights Eyecare, Manhattan, KS
• In the end, we are a medical facility. You just never know who might have allergies or a crazy fear. Also, my sister is a veterinarian. She has taught me that just because people SAY their pet is well-mannered, doesn’t mean it actually is! — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
• It has been an issue a couple times. I would say it’s more of a case-by-case issue. — Douglas Holle, OD, Sunset Eye Care, San Angelo, TX
• Only true service animals. — Stephanie Crowley, Sie Eyecare, Charlotte, NC
• It is a place of business with a medical component. If it isn’t a legit service animal it doesn’t belong. If YOUR business allows it, more power to you, just fairly warn others before they enter in case of allergies, fears, etc. — Chris Dudley, Lake Eye/Precision Optical, Wildwood, FL
• No way! Our office is a medical facility and that is no place for animals. Not everyone takes care of their pets the same way either. I won’t take a chance with fleas, shedding hair, or a pet attacking another patient. — Ann-Marie Weaver, Optimal Eye Care, Lewis Center, OH
• Not normally, but sometimes if a pet is in the car and no one is in the office we will let them bring in. — Kathryn Collins, OD, Kissel Eye Care, Lititz, PA
• We have before but not as a usual practice, we are considerate to patients who may have allergies. — Jessica Brundidge, Clarity Vision, Clayton, NC
• Certified service animals only. We are a medical practice. Had some dude making out with his dog in here. That was the last straw for allowing pets. — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
• If there is not a medical reason we do not allow pets. Not to say a few people don’t bring a support animal that is not wearing any gear indicating so (we typically let these go and do not pry too much). The reason we do not is our office does a fair amount of medical eyecare and do approach things that way so allowing pets does not fit that model. We also want to be sensitive to those who have allergies or sensitivities. Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN