Just like with medical care for humans, caring for pets’ health needs can be very complicated and expensive. Many times, we sacrifice on preventative care because the cost can be daunting. But, what if there was a service where pet parents could pay one fee and have almost all of their cats’ and dogs’ needs taken care of by a caring, experienced veterinarian?
Thanks to Symbios Animal Health in Chatham, that option is now available. Founded earlier this year by Dr. Nick Pope and Travis York, who then partnered with Dr. Megan Armani, it’s a membership-based concierge service for pets.
“You can come in anytime with your pet with whatever their needs are,” says Dr. Megan , its head veterinarian and Chief Medical Officer. “For instance, if your pet needs to be spayed or neutered, that's included. If your pet needs blood work, x-rays, nail trims, dental care, or many other services, that's included in the membership fee.” Some medications, especially those related to wellness like heartworm, flea and tick prevention, may also be included.
The membership fee can be paid monthly, or for more savings, annually. “Then, if you want to come in every week and see me because you have some concern, that's fine,” she says. “I actually have patients that’ll do that and I love it. You have up to an hour for the exam and consults and membership also includes unlimited blood work as often as medically needed.” Anyone who has had a pet that requires regular blood work for a medical condition knows how expensive that alone can be.
If you have trouble getting your pets to the office, and you live within 15 miles of Chatham, someone on staff can pick them up and bring them in for their appointments. And, although not a regular occurrence, Dr. Megan can come to your house to treat your dog or cat if necessary.
“Obviously, end-of-life services are included too,” she says. “It's really quite extensive what we do include and it allows me to be the veterinarian I want to be. I don't have to say, ‘Here's the estimate for the next step.’ Instead, I determine what's medically necessary and we get it done.”
Ever since Dr. Megan was a young girl growing up in a rural part of upstate New York with a nurse for a mom, she learned how to take care of the many stray cats and injured critters in the area. “I started early nursing fledgling birds or baby squirrels that would fall out of trees, so I got a lot of experience caring for animals.”
Before she came on board with Symbios, she and her husband, Dr. Andrew Armani, ran two veterinarian practices in Pensacola, Florida. With three kids, they decided to come back north and relocate to Mountain Lakes, which they love.
Dr. Megan also loves the atmosphere of the practice in Chatham. “It's in this cute little house which the founders renovated. It's an awesome space because it has two exam rooms, hardwood floors, and instead of a huge waiting room, clients just walk into a foyer. It’s a very comfortable, clean, light, bright space that really makes pet parents feel a little calmer than walking into a really clinical setting with a sick pet.”
Says pet mom Chris Farrell of Chatham, who brings her 2-year-old English Spaniel, Piper, to Symbios, “When we drive up to the vet, she knows where she is. I can let her off leash and she runs around the whole place. It's just another house to her. It's very homey and everyone comes and says hi to her. They all love her. I’m really so grateful to have them.”
While Dr. Megan can perform most services here, if there’s something she feels would be better handled by a specialist, she will refer the animal out.
“For example, if there's really bad dental disease, and I don't feel comfortable doing it because I'm worried about a fracture of the jaw or something like that, the pet’s best bet is to see a board-certified veterinarian dentist. I'm not going to do things outside of my ability or comfort level, and I would assume that a pet owner would not want me to do that either.”
In addition to Dr. Megan and back-up vet Dr. Nick, there are two patient advocates, or technicians, who take turns being available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. If they determine that something is serious after hours, they will then call Dr. Megan.
If an emergency happens overnight, clients will be referred to a practice that can see the animal immediately. “The nice part is we can call ahead and also send the records to make that situation streamlined for the owner,” she says.
Adds Chris, “If I have a question or a concern, Dr. Megan will usually get back to me within the hour. It’s that kind of service and it’s really been amazing.”
Piper also recently had her teeth cleaned, which Chris isn’t sure she would have done so early on if it wasn’t included in the membership. “It's not only concierge care, I feel like it's also preventative care, which I'm a huge advocate of myself. With other vets, this dental visit alone would have been about $1500.00. So, I think they're good people with a really good mission.”
In addition to its Concierge Membership, which includes everything previously mentioned and more, in July they launched their yearly Signature Membership, which will include unlimited access and exams. “If some people already have pet insurance and don’t want to add the full Concierge Membership level, this gives them another option,” says Dr. Megan. “With it, we can reach more people and provide more care.”
To find out more, and to sign up for a membership, go to Symbios.Vet.
“It's a good feeling when you have someone you can rely on to take the best care of your pet.” Chris Farrell
