A McDonald’s for Pets

Having an ill child is heartbreaking for a parent. Having to hospitalize that youngster can be devastating. The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Veterinary Medicine understands that pet owners often suffer the same emotions when their furry members of the family require prolonged medical care.

This veterinary medical teaching hospital offers state of the art services for near by residents. It is not unusual for a serious ailment to necessitate a pet and owner to return week after week for treatment. Driving from home to the hospital can be very taxing. Owners, fearing the stress that the traveling would place on the pet, often refuse the prescribed treatment. From such concerns came the idea for the ‘Barkley House.'

Modeled after the very successful ‘Ronald McDonald Houses ’ which are located near hospitals that specialize in pediatric care, the ‘Barkley House’ allows pet parents to be close to their pets. Besides being able to visit and calm the nervous pet, the house offers support from the other pet owners, and veterinary counselors.

The ‘Barkley House’ allows pet parents to remain close to their hospitalized pets.

We all want the best for our pets. Watching its’ diet, offering proper exercise, safe housing, adequate medical attention and …love…will help to insure peak physical and mental well-being. And this is important because it is “Your Pet…Health Matters.”