We called this morning and one of the office staff answered our questions and extended condolences.

When we arrived, all Kurt said in the lobby was “Hershey”, and the front desk staff already knew why we were there, and two different staff members made us an immediate priority. Very quickly, Dr. Little greeted us.

Dr. Little suggested bringing Hershey in through the side door, and as I came around the exterior corner of the building, I melted. I want you to know how much it meant to me that your staff all were standing there with us, just outside the door, as if you were some sort of Honor Guard paying your respects to Hershey and to us. I just can’t tell you how much that touched me. I don’t know if you did that on purpose as part of your office protocol, but I have to tell you that it made a huge impression upon me. Later, I asked Kurt if he noticed it (he was distracted backing up the car with Hershey at the time), and when I told him what I saw, he was also very touched.

As we left, I knew in my heart that Hershey would be treated with the same tenderness and love you would have shown your own family friend, and it means so very much. Our children, Jason (age 18) and Taylor (age 16-1/2) were at school, and I knew that I could look them straight in the eye and tell them how tender you treated Hershey.

Dr. Little, I don’t know how you picked Hershey up in your arms and carried her inside with a bear hug because she is a big dog, but your arms wrapped around Hershey, as if she was only coming for a checkup, was also a comforting sight. To your entire office, Hershey was not “remains” that needed to be disposed of. She was a loyal dog whom we cherished, and you all clearly demonstrated that you know that.

This is the first time in our life that we’ve been the parent, the adult, who shouldered the joy of bringing home a new puppy, and seeing that pet to it’s last moments. It was a tough morning having two children looking at us as if they trusted that we knew what to do, when the fact is, we’ve never done this before, and we didn’t want to do it wrong. We really relied on your office to provide us the information, guidance, and support so we were left with no regrets.

From Hershey’s very first veterinarian visit back in 1999 to this one today, Dr. Little, I have been proud to call you her doctor, and your staff has always been a pleasure to work with in the 10 years we have known you. Every visit we have ever made to you for Hershey, or our other pets, you have always shown such overflowing love, attention to detail, and passion for what you do, from routine care to emergencies. Your patients are family pets, but to my family, you have treated more than just dogs and cats and other animals, you have simultaneously treated us. And all this said, these are just a small fraction of the reasons why Elm Point Animal Hospital is our pets’ second family.

And to the Elm Point Animal Hospital Staff: Thank you for being great each and every time. I know Dr. Little (and Dr. Lange) accepts compliments and thanks humbly (and I have had many opportunities to give them to him over the years), and we all know that each of you does your part to make those compliments and thanks possible. Without you doing your best, it would be impossible for Dr. Little to do his best. And combined, you make a great TEAM delivering excellence to every person and pet who walks (or is lovingly carried) through your doors. There is no insignificant responsibility when you are part of the team that takes care of a family’s cherished pets. So, thank you for being great.

-Trice Family

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