Owners of severely ill pets that have been checked in to the Intensive Care unit of the University of Utrecht’s Clinic for Companion Animals, can now be with their pets 24 hours a day via Telepet. Telepet is a webcam system that allows owners to view their pets on any computer of mobile phone with an internet connection.
“Checking a pet into our Intensive Care unit is a stressful time for both the owner and the animal”, says Joris Robben, head of the division and creator of Telepet. “Owners have a strong bond with their pets, so it’s only natural that they want to be able to see them, even when they are in the hospital.”
Pet in sight
Via the Telepet webcams owners can see their cat or dog in its dwelling, whilst the rest of the Intensive Care unit and its staff remain out of sight. “When we have to perform procedures on the animal, such as taking a blood sample, the camera can be momentarily switched off. We’ll also switch off the camera if a pet is moved to another location, such as the operating room. The owners know that they don’t have to worry about this.” says Joris Robben.
Compensating for absence
Via the Telepet webcams owners can see their cat or dog in its dwelling, whilst the rest of the Intensive Care unit and its staff remain out of sight. “When we have to perform procedures on the animal, such as taking a blood sample, the camera can be momentarily switched off. We’ll also switch off the camera if a pet is moved to another location, such as the operating room. The owners know that they don’t have to worry about this.” says Joris Robben.
Compensating for absence
Since February the Intensive Care Division of the University Clinic has been testing the system with twenty owners and two webcams. The owners seem to find it very comforting to have contact with their pets, even if it’s not physical. They feel more involved in the process and seeing their pet helps to compensate for its absence.
Visiting hours
The development of Telepet doesn’t signify that owners may no longer visit their pets. Robben: “We try to fulfill the wishes of owners to see their pets as much as possible.”
Telepet is available at www.uu.nl/telepet. Pet owners receive a unique login ID which allows them access to the webcam for the duration of their pet’s time in the clinic.
More information
Marieke Veldman, Press Officer, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, (030) 253 3430, m.m.veldman@uu.nl.
Or: Wietske de Lange, Press Officer, University of Utrecht, (030) 253 4073, w.delange@uu.nl.