Terms & conditions

These terms apply to all home-visit veterinary services provided by Beyond the Vet Clinic, the holistic pain-management practice of Dr Tara Card, RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon.

Referral requirement

All patients must be referred by their primary veterinary surgeon before an appointment can be booked. Relevant clinical records will be requested and reviewed before the initial consultation to ensure that treatment is appropriate, safe, and coordinated with your pet's existing care plan.

Beyond the Vet Clinic is designed to complement, not replace, the care provided by your primary veterinary practice.

Appointments & assessments

The initial consultation typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and includes:

• Review of veterinary medical records
• Comprehensive veterinary assessment
• Mobility and quality-of-life assessment
• Discussion of treatment options
• Acupuncture and/or therapeutic laser therapy where appropriate
• Communication with the referring veterinary surgeon

Follow-up appointments are tailored to your pet's individual needs and may include reassessment, treatment, treatment-plan adjustments, and ongoing communication with your primary veterinary surgeon.

Communication with your vet

Beyond the Vet Clinic works closely with referring veterinary practices. Clinical records will be reviewed prior to the initial consultation, and a written report will be provided to the referring veterinary surgeon following the initial assessment and subsequent treatment sessions where appropriate.

This helps ensure continuity of care and collaborative management of your pet's condition.

Medication reviews

As part of the assessment process, current medications, treatment response, comfort levels, mobility, and quality of life may be reviewed. Recommendations may be made regarding pain-management strategies, environmental modifications, supportive therapies, and quality-of-life support.

Where clinically appropriate and legally permitted, written prescriptions may be provided. This will always be undertaken in accordance with current veterinary regulations and in communication with the referring veterinary surgeon where appropriate.

Treatment decisions

All treatment recommendations are based on the individual patient's history, examination findings, diagnosis, and response to treatment. The decision to proceed with acupuncture, therapeutic laser therapy, or other supportive treatments remains at the discretion of Dr Tara Card.

Beyond the Vet Clinic reserves the right to decline or discontinue treatment if it is considered unsuitable, unsafe, or unlikely to benefit the patient.

Treatment outcomes

Acupuncture and therapeutic laser therapy are supportive treatments and individual responses vary. While many pets experience improvements in comfort, mobility, function, and quality of life, specific outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Owner responsibilities

Owners are responsible for providing accurate and complete information regarding their pet's medical history, medications, behaviour, and any changes in their condition. Owners must notify Beyond the Vet Clinic of any significant changes in their pet's health between appointments.

Safe handling

Owners remain responsible for their pet during appointments. For the safety of all parties, pets must be appropriately restrained when required.

Beyond the Vet Clinic reserves the right to discontinue or postpone treatment if a patient presents a significant risk of injury to themselves, their owner, or the attending veterinary surgeon.

Home-visit requirements

Appointments take place in the pet's home environment. Owners are responsible for providing:

• Safe access to the property
• A suitable area for assessment and treatment
• Appropriate lighting where possible
• Reasonable parking access

Additional travel fees may apply outside the standard service area and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Fees & payment

Payment is required in full at the time of booking. Appointments are not confirmed until payment has been received. Treatment packages must be paid for in advance unless otherwise agreed.

Accepted payment methods will be provided at the time of booking. Prices may be updated periodically, and any changes will be communicated prior to booking.

Insurance

Many insurance policies may provide cover for complementary, rehabilitative, or pain-management therapies. Owners are responsible for checking their own policy terms and confirming eligibility before treatment begins.

Invoices and supporting documentation can be provided to assist with insurance claims; however, payment remains the responsibility of the owner.

Cancellation policy

We understand that plans can change and that pets sometimes become unwell unexpectedly. To help us offer appointments to other patients in need, we kindly ask for as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment.

More than 48 hours' notice

Appointments cancelled more than 48 hours before the scheduled appointment will receive a full refund or may be rescheduled without charge.

24–48 hours' notice

Appointments cancelled between 24 and 48 hours before the scheduled appointment may be rescheduled once without penalty. Refunds may be subject to an administration fee.

Less than 24 hours' notice

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged in full.

Missed appointments

If no one is available at the property at the agreed appointment time, the appointment will be treated as a missed appointment and charged in full.

Exceptional circumstances

We understand that emergencies occur. Exceptional circumstances will be considered at our discretion.

Emergencies

Data protection

Client and patient information will be handled in accordance with applicable data-protection legislation and professional veterinary obligations. Information may be shared with your referring veterinary surgeon where relevant to your pet's ongoing care.

Photos, video & social media

From time to time, Beyond the Vet Clinic may wish to take a photograph or short video during a home visit — for example, showing a pet resting calmly during treatment — to share on our website, Instagram, or Facebook.

We will always ask for your specific permission before taking any photo or video of your pet, and again before using it publicly. You are welcome to say no at any time, for any reason, and this will never affect your pet's care.

Where a photo or video is shared, we will only use your pet's name and, where relevant, your first name — we will not publish your address or other identifying details. If you change your mind after giving permission, please get in touch and we will remove the content as soon as we reasonably can.

The consent option on our contact form confirms you are open in principle to being asked; it does not itself authorise any specific photo or video, which will always be confirmed with you individually at the time.

Amendments

Beyond the Vet Clinic reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. The most current version will always be available on the website.