I believe whole heartedly that preserving good health in our pets by virtue of the quality and consistency of care they receive is far superior to reactive and urgent-only care. By knowing you and your pet, and through preventive measures to know what isn’t wrong with your pet when it becomes ill, everyone benefits. You can also read about my philosophy in the “Speaking Aberlease” document (link?). The membership model is the best method for us to achieve these superior results for our loved ones.

Option #1 The Veterinary Life Planning program is a group of individuals who have placed their trust in me to care for their pets in the exact manner I do my own. It’s a relationship and a process. “VLPs” as we refer to these patients receive care at regular intervals. We screen for diseases and take on life in a proactive manner the best way I know how through my experiences and training in veterinary medicine. The program is billed monthly.

Option #2 is more of an a la carte approach where your pet’s Preventive Care Visit (PCV) serves as its membership within Aberlea. The PCV is the minimum amount of care provided that I believe I’ve made a difference in your pet’s life. There are optional recommendations to accept or decline for your pet’s care, but that is up to you. The PCV is the cornerstone of my relationship with you and your pet(s).

It’s good care no doubt, but there are measures taken in the VLP program not included in option 2.

Not many rules on purpose as life is not a simple algorithm. The only rules are:

On the day you sign up, your credit card will be charged initially on the 1st or 15th day of the month, whichever comes first AFTER you join. Your VLP pet's last credit card charge will be the 1st or 15th after they are no longer in the program. Example: If you join with a VLP pet on the 5th of the month, your first charge on your card will not be until the 15th. Years later, your pet is put to sleep on the 25th of a month. Your last charge will be the following 15th of the month. We will deactivate the payment after.

If you choose to leave the VLP program, you cannot re-enter. You may stay on as a non-VLP member after discussing with Dr. Lane. Communication is key here.

Not for either membership option.

Never.

Pricing for the services we provide at Aberlea changes approximately every 12-18 months. This makes quoting costs difficult on a website FAQ since things change. I can tell you my philosophy on veterinary compensation is as follows: I strive to make my living through the care and service I provide along with the extra time I spend with my patients. This is in stark contrast to most veterinary practices which rely on the production model of selling products while seeing as many patients as possible. That model does not belong in any aspect of medicine in my opinion. You will likely find the pricing to be around 80-100% of the most expensive practices in Murfreesboro. Keep in mind I do not shop nor compare myself to others. That is simply what I’ve found to be true. I would, however, wager the value greatly exceeds the cost, but that is up to you. If you are simply “price shopping,” Aberlea won’t be the right place for you.

I have no plans to hire another veterinarian.

On the day of your annual membership visit which we refer to as your pet's PCV (Preventive Care Visit).

Several things: On the day of the membership visit, my time, care, expertise, and my top-notch team. Depending on your pet’s temperament, he or she will receive a thorough comprehensive physical. I’ll dive in as much as your pet allows. He/she also receives any scheduled, agreed upon vaccinations and a couple of screening tests. On all the other days, your membership visit is paying for the opportunity to see the same experienced veterinarian who knows your pet. I implore you to think about the relationship first, not the commoditized "things."

We only require you to schedule the membership visit in advance. For most pets, this corresponds with their annual vaccinations and well visit at traditional practices.

»For VLP members, NO! Your monthly fee stays the same from the time you join. This is a great way to freeze the cost of the best preventive care you can get for the life of your pet. It indirectly has a small impact on your pet’s unwell care as unplanned exam fees are waived. The cost of unplanned visits increases on a roughly yearly basis.

 
»For non-VLP members, YES, the cost of the membership visit (PCV) will go up on an annual basis to keep up with my costs, paying my team, etc.

I will go to a waitlist, and a "one out, one in" protocol meaning one patient must leave before another can join. I do however, reserve the right to take on a new VLP member if it means separating from a non-VLP member. I do not anticipate this happening, but it is what is best for the business and the practice.

All member patients have their visit set regardless of health status. There are very rare occasions of hospice-type care where a euthanasia visit is discussed and deemed to be the next time to see your pet. These must be discussed with Dr. Lane prior. We always know the next scheduled time to see you and your pet, even if that is a year away at your membership visit (PCV).

Many families have VLPs and non-VLPs in the same household.

That's easy. We just schedule your pet to come in on a different day to receive those vaccinations. It is included as part of your membership. The exception is when a new vaccination is introduced after the membership visit that is unknown to you or us. Example: your boarding facility is now requiring your pet to receive "X" vaccination, and it cannot stay at the facility until it has been properly vaccinated. You'll pay for this new vaccination the first year and it will then be rolled into subsequent years at your membership visit as part of the cost. 

Remember it’s about time and the relationship, not a commodity you can buy and give yourself at a feed store or spay/neuter clinic.

You'll certainly be nudged toward other pillars of health we believe are in your pet's best interest. Those things are for you to accept or decline. Examples include parasite prevention, annual lab work, and regular preventive oral care. Many if not most members opt for these offerings.

If the Option 1 is exactly what you’re looking for, then let us know and we will make sure everything is good on our end. There is some behavioral screening to be done, and we won’t know that until we meet your furry friend. If you have any real hesitation, but want to pursue membership at Aberlea, I would suggest Option 2. You can grow into the VLP program if you wish. Many do.

We schedule appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays and in the afternoon on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Surgeries, dental care, and other elective procedures are conducted on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Although I am in the office intermittently, we do not schedule appointments on Mondays. We schedule appointments/procedures until our daily goal is met, and then we stop. We do NOT double book appointments. We leave room in the schedule for the unplanned needs of our member patients.

Please see the end of the “Speaking Aberlease” document for information about my conflicts of interest.

I like to say that at Aberlea “No one is special because everyone is special.” I would be remiss however, if I did not acknowledge the special place I hold in my heart for the VLP members. Their owners deserve recognition in some manner for believing in me and the Aberlea philosophy. VLPs receive priority in urgent care situations for appointments. A VLP’s unplanned visit fee is waived an unlimited number of times. At this point I have not had to choose between a VLP and non-VLP member who both needed care. I never intend to either. I just may get to the VLP first assuming similar urgency.

Regardless of which membership option you choose, gather your pet’s records and send them to us at bark@vetlifeplanning.com. Alternatively, you can request the records be sent from your prior vet practice. This goes for scheduling a well or sick visit. If coming for the first time on a sick visit, the records for what has been done previously are imperative. I need to know what’s been done and what hasn’t with your pet. Once received and reviewed, we will reach back out to you to get your pet on the schedule.

Reach out by calling the office to set up a time to talk. I am willing, and my team is more than capable to answer any questions you have. I realize the way we do things at Aberlea is different, and sometimes more context is needed. These FAQs are meant to get the ball rolling BEFORE you come in.