New Saratoga Vet Emphasizes Fear-Free Practices and Independent Ownership
Drs. Alan and Lisa Knott at the front desk of the new Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital in Saratoga Springs. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — It might be hard to believe, but your local vet could be owned by the same company that makes Skittles.
For the past few decades, the candy company Mars has been adding veterinary businesses to its portfolio. Today, according to Fortune Magazine, Mars is the biggest vet provider in America. The money-making venture has certainly boosted Mars’ bottom line, but it may also result in local vets lacking in personalized care.
That’s not the case, however, with the independently-owned Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital, which is soft-launching its second location in Saratoga Springs next week.
“Larger corporations view it as a money-making opportunity,” said Cornerstone’s Dr. Alan Knott. “That’s not why we got into veterinary medicine. We got into veterinary medicine to really help patients and help clients. That’s our primary goal.”
Cornerstone was founded by Drs. Alan and Lisa Knott in Clifton Park nearly a decade ago. Its flagship location has become so popular that a second outpost became necessary.
“We’re about at capacity now,” Dr. Alan said of his Clifton Park office, “so we knew we wanted to be able to expand and be able to offer veterinary services to other areas, and doing things in Saratoga was kind of that ideal location.”
In addition to many existing clients traveling to Clifton Park from the Saratoga area, it didn’t hurt that Dr. Dayna Jodzio, who will be spearheading the new location, is herself a Spa City resident.
Aside from being a family-owned practice, Cornerstone also emphasizes its Fear-Free Certification, which focuses on the emotional well-being of animals. Dr. Lisa said studies have shown that fear-free practices can help animals heal faster by minimizing stress.
To achieve Fear-Free Certification, all staff members must complete a nine-hour continuing education course. Then, the clinic must demonstrate that they have a list of various fear-free protocols in place.
“[Fear-Free] has only been around for less than ten years and we’ve been vets for about twenty,” Dr. Lisa said, “so we’ve seen the before, how it used to be done, and the after, and we can see a huge difference in how the animals act when they come in, how happy the owners are when they leave, and also the employees and team members; it makes a difference for them in being more satisfied in their jobs.”
Fear-Free practices include the use of calming pheromones, soothing music, treats, toys, and positive reinforcement to make each animal’s visit as hassle-free as possible.