FAQs
1. Why is your hospital called Red Rock Veterinary “Health”?
Because we are more than just a hospital! In all seriousness, veterinary facilities can be referred to as clinics, practices, hospitals, or services, among other names, as there is no standardization within the industry. While it might seem logical to call a facility a hospital only if it is open 24/7, accepts walk-in emergencies, and provides advanced hospitalization and emergency surgery services, this is rarely the case.
We consider ourselves a hospital in the technical sense because we provide comprehensive care, including same-day appointments (not exactly walk-ins), emergency surgery, and hospitalization. For more critical cases, we refer patients to local emergency hospitals if it's in the pet's best interest.
We are more than a hospital because of the breadth of care we provide and our commitment to community involvement. Not many veterinary facilities will offer emergency/urgent services, wellness vaccines, behavioral evaluations, access to veterinary specialists, all whilst providing Fear Free veterinary care and focusing on giving back to the community and supporting local businesses. This will make more sense once you become part of the Red Rock Vet family and experience our care firsthand.
2. What sets you apart from other veterinary facilities?
We provide a unique veterinary experience unlike any other in Colorado Springs. As the only non-corporate veterinary hospital on the Westside, we are also the sole facility in the city specifically designed to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in pets during their visits. In addition to the hospital’s Fear Free design, our workflow is optimized to:
Minimize interactions between cats and dogs.
Limit interactions between different patients.
Perform treatments and phlebotomies with owners present whenever possible.
Prevent and mitigate any FAS your pet may experience during their visit.
Additionally, we intentionally maintain a smaller team, with a maximum of three full-time doctors. This allows us to create a more personal and intimate experience for you and your pet. By getting to know and recognize all our clients and patients, we can better understand and respond to your specific needs.
Our hospital culture emphasizes employee satisfaction and retention, which means you and your pet can build long-term relationships with our doctors and support staff. These enduring connections create a foundation of trust and enhance the overall care experience.
3. What should I do in case of a pet emergency and do you accept walk-ins?
While we do not accept walk-ins, we recommend calling us asap. Our emergency services are dependent on caseload and staff availability unfortunately. If your pet experiences an emergency during our regular business hours, please call us immediately at 719-204-3467 to schedule an urgent appointment. For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting local emergency veterinary clinics. You may google to see who is closest to you or visit our Helpful Website section of our website. It's essential to act promptly in emergencies to ensure your pet receives timely care.
4. Why Don’t You Take Walk-In Appointments?
At Red Rock Veterinary Hospital, we deeply value being there for pet owners when they need us most. However, as a smaller, community-focused hospital, our team is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care in a structured and fear-free environment. Our appointment-based system allows us to minimize stress for our patients by carefully managing their experience from arrival to departure.
Walk-in appointments can sometimes disrupt this workflow, making it harder to maintain the calm, low-stress environment that is essential to our patient care philosophy. That said, we always strive to accommodate urgent needs as quickly as possible, and in the majority of cases we will be able to make it work for you. If we’re unable to schedule you right away, we will help guide you to a trusted general practice, urgent care, or emergency facility to ensure your pet receives the care they need.
5. Do you offer payment plans or accept pet insurance?
We request payment at the time of service and accept major credit cards. While we do not offer in-house payment plans to everyone, we recommend discussing your financial concerns with us beforehand so we can help determine cost-effective options for your pet's care. Additionally, we accept various pet insurance plans, which can help cover many routine and emergency services.
If you are a Legacy Client (you followed Dr. Unsell from another hospital) or if you are in the pet industry (trainers, groomers, boarding/daycare employees, or veterinary related) you may qualify for our 30-day no interest payment plan offered through the hospital. Unfortunately we are too small to offer this to everyone, however, we are working on our own hospital associated charity to help with large veterinary bills so feel free to inquire.
6. Why Is Veterinary Care So Expensive?
At Red Rock Veterinary Hospital, we understand that the cost of veterinary care can be a concern for many pet owners, and we want to be as transparent as possible about why these costs exist and how we can help. Several factors contribute to veterinary expenses:
Operational Costs – Running a high-quality veterinary hospital involves significant costs, including loans for construction and equipment, rent, payroll, in-house laboratory machines & laboratory supplies, insurance, and medications.
Comprehensive Services – We provide a full spectrum of care in one location, from vaccines and wellness visits to dental work, emergency care, mobile specialty care, and behavioral consultations.
Commitment to Excellence – In our first few years as a startup hospital, we are actively pursuing Fear Free® Hospital Certification, AAHA Accreditation, and Feline Friendly Practice Certification. These certifications ensure the highest level of patient care and medical quality but also come with added costs due to the certification process itself, increased staff training, better equipment, and higher facility standards.
Despite these costs, veterinary care remains significantly more affordable than human healthcare in almost every aspect. Procedures like a hip replacement or ACL surgery cost exponentially more in human medicine than in veterinary care. Unlike human healthcare, veterinary hospitals don’t have government funding or insurance reimbursements (less than 10% of veterinary bills have insurance reimbursement) covering expenses, which means the cost of services reflects the true cost of care.
We are committed to making high-quality veterinary care accessible and will work with you to find the best solutions for your budget. Our approach includes:
Lower-Cost Referral Options – We collaborate with trusted lower-cost clinics locally and in Denver and can help guide you to an option that fits your financial needs.
Financial Assistance Programs – We offer payment plan options through CareCredit and Scratchpay, among other assistance programs.
Spectrum of Care Approach – We recognize that every pet and every owner has different needs and budgets. We offer customized care that allow you to make informed choices about where your money is best spent. If you're on a fixed income, we will help prioritize economical diagnostics and treatments to get the best outcomes within your budget.
Our goal is to ensure your pet receives the best possible care, no matter your financial situation. If you ever have concerns about costs, please talk to us—we’re here to help you navigate your options and find the best path forward.
7. Why is regular dental care important for my pet?
Dental health is critical for your pet’s overall well-being. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to pain, tooth loss, and systemic infections affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that cannot be addressed through at-home care.
We offer comprehensive dental services, including cleanings and digital dental radiography, to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy. Preventative care is key—if your dog has noticeable tartar, especially on their back chewing teeth, they likely need a dental cleaning.
8. How often should my pet have a wellness exam?
We recommend annual or semi-annual wellness screenings for your pet. These comprehensive physical exams, along with necessary diagnostic tests and vaccinations, are vital even when your pet appears healthy. Regular check-ups help in the early detection and treatment of potential health issues, ensuring your pet maintains a healthy and happy life.
9. What is Fear Free® Veterinary Care?
Fear Free® Veterinary Care is an approach designed to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets during veterinary visits. Our staff is specially trained in Fear Free® techniques, and our facility is designed with features like separate dog and cat areas, non-slip floors, and a tranquil lobby to ensure your pet's comfort during their visit. Feel free to visit our Fear Free Resources section of our website to learn more.
10. What services do you offer for pets with allergies?
We provide comprehensive allergy testing and treatment options for pets suffering from skin allergies. Our services include diagnostics to identify specific allergens and tailored treatment plans to manage and alleviate your pet's symptoms effectively.
11. Can I see the same veterinarian each visit?
Yes, we encourage continuity of care by allowing and recommending clients to see the same veterinarian whenever possible. Our small hospital size lends itself to this scenario. We will also try to use the same support staff if your pet experiences higher levels of FAS since familiarity can help reduce FAS. This fosters a positive experience for both you and your pet while minimizing care discrepancies. In urgent situations, prioritizing the same veterinarian may not always be possible, but we strive to maintain seamless communication among our team.
12. What do you mean by saying you are non-corporate and locally owned?
Dr. Unsell owns the hospital—or, as he jokes, the bank does. Private ownership allows us to control hospital policies, pricing, and patient care decisions, which can significantly impact your veterinary experience.
In recent years, many veterinary hospitals have been acquired by corporate entities, where profits are often prioritized over patient care and employee satisfaction. While corporatization has increased access to veterinary care and in many cases, raised industry standards, it often leads to higher costs, employee burnout, and reduced job satisfaction per the American Veterinary Medical Associate (AVMA). Additionally, corporate profits typically leave the local community, which prevents the hospital from supporting the vibrant local economy.
Our hospital is privately owned and locally focused, which means we reinvest in the community and prioritize both patient care and employee well-being. The west side of Colorado Springs has seen all its larger veterinary hospitals become corporate in the past decade, and we aim to balance that whilst still collaborating with these hospitals and the surrounding pet industry to better support our community.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at 719-204-DOGS or Reception@RedRockVet.com