DISCLAIMER: The below information is in no way to be taken or thought of as derogatory or to infer that Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital is negligent in anyway. They are a great place to take your pets for Vet care. I have and will continue to recommend them now and in the future. The below information is provided in hopes that this will never happen to anyone else. Downed Computers Forgotten Basics Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital On October 8, 2024, I had to put down my beloved Bassett Hound of 13 and ½ years Pokie, who I raised from the day he was taken from his mother. He was more than a pet to me he was like my own child. He had all his vet care done at Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital since his birth. He was seen in August by Dr. Pringle, for his rear hip issues, and moderate kidney failure issues. We received some medicine and discussed that his end of days were getting closer. I realized that being 70 plus years old myself. I just didn’t think it would be so soon for Pokie. Unfortunately, on that morning (October 8, 2024) the computers at the Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital were down. I arrived with Pokie around 8:45 a.m. and was told I had to come back at 10:00 a.m... I did as instructed and the computers were still down. I met with a dark haired male Tech who took information from me but wasn’t writing anything down. I explained to him that I didn’t want Pokie suffering anymore and that I wanted him cremated and a paw print. He gave me a pre-printed form authorizing them to put Pokie down. He then took the form to Dr. Strickland who came in a spoke to me briefly and explained the procedure. I again re iterated that I did want a paw print and they took Pokie to the back to put an IV in him for the procedure. They brought him back to me and I sat on the floor with his head in my lap for a few minutes before we proceeded. I then told Dr. Strickland we were ready. She administered the sedative and after a couple of minutes she gave the final medicine. The only thought in my mind at this point was that the last thing that my Pokie was going to leave me was a paw Print. It broke my heart and I was visibly emotional throughout the process. Dr. Strickland, in comforting me said that Pokie had a good life and that his name Pokie, was an appropriate name for him. As I got up from the floor and the Tech was picking Pokie up he asked if I wanted a paw print and I immediately said that I did. Again no one was writing anything down. The tech left the room with Pokie, Dr. Strickland expressed her sympathy for my loss and I proceeded to the front desk to take care of payment. I told the heavy set lady behind the desk that I wanted community cremation and a paw print. She instructed me that the computers were still down and that they would let me know when the payment could be taken care of. As I left they said they were sorry for my loss. I thank them as I was going out the door. That afternoon around 3:40 p.m. Karen called from Countryside Animal Hospital to let me know the computers were working and that she could take the payment information over the phone. I gave her the information that she needed and asked if they would call me when the paw print was ready and she assured me that they would. On October 26, 2023, they put another dog I had Rascal, who was a mixed dog and was 15 ½ years old and everything went great with the paw print and all. Of course, the Computers were up and running on October 26, 2023. On October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:45 a.m.; I called Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital to see if the paw print was in. Karen answered the phone and I was glad as she has always been very helpful to me and my dogs. She looked and said she didn’t see anything and then said let me another place. She came back and said she didn’t find anything and then asked if I ordered one. When I told her that I told the Tech, Dr. Strickland, and the other lady at the desk when I was leaving that day she said let me look in the computer. After about a minute she informed me that there was nothing in the computer and no one made any note or wrote anything down. I said oh no, she apologized a couple of times before we ended the conversation. I was hit with a gut wrenching feeling that on my Pokies last day I failed him. A feeling I will have to live with the rest of my time. His paw print was important to me; it would have been his last act of love for me. I would give anything to change what happened, but what is already done cannot be undone. What I can rationalize from it all is that on that day the computers were down, old school note taking or writing things down was not done or pretty much forgotten because of the reliance on technology. Old school note taking is probably not taught anymore but should be. Technology will fail at times and computers are the perfect example of that. If no notes are taken while they are down; when they come back up there will be nothing to put in. I am not blaming anyone. I will live with this. To the employees and especially Dr. Strickland, Dr. Pringle, and Karen thank you all for the great care and treatment of both Pokie and Rascal over the years. You have all been great. I will continue to recommend your services to others with pets. I just hope that something like this never happens to anyone else. Ron Katt Fort White, Fl DISCLAIMER: The above information is in no way to be taken or thought of as derogatory or to infer that Alachua Countryside Animal Hospital is negligent in anyway. They are a great place to take your pets for Vet care. I have and will continue to recommend them now and in the future. The above information is provided in hopes that this will never happen to anyone else. Read Less

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