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VetVine Client Care

Posted On Jun 20, 2025

Updated On Jun 25, 2025

Hospital Dress Code

Practice Management

This question was submitted during a past Practice Management webinar:

Question asked by the moderator (Sheri L Berger, DVM, DACVO):
We all know that a clinic's first chance of creating a favorable impression to a client (that first phone call to inquire about services or schedule an appointment) is (hopefully) followed by a second chance to favorably impress that client.  

One way I think about further impressing a client - is giving consideration to all of the 5 senses that we can affect (hearing, smelling, seeing, tasting and touching) - and, as an ophthalmologist, I can't help but focus (no pun intended), on the visual aspects of a client's experience. There are many visual elements that can impact a client's perception about a practice, but one that is up front and center is the appearance of the staff itself.  

I have always prided myself by the neat and professional appearance I have tried to put forward to my clients and staff, and have always worked to make sure that my staff followed suit. I still see practice's without a dress code for employees. Do you have thoughts about this? Should veterinary hospital's have a dress code?

Answer by Sandy Walsh, RVT, CVPM:
This is a topic near and dear to my heart! There is no question that veterinary hospitals should have a dress code. We struggle - as it is - to garner the respect of the medical profession yet we often forget the obvious. Clean hospital and clean employees. Every member of your veterinary team should adhere to an established dress code as well as general appearance guidelines. This means a defined dress code and the expectation that the employees will be well groomed. Whether everyone wears the same color or print, clean, unwrinkled and professional attire is essential. Your goal is to look your best. This means the doctors should be wearing a lab coat whenever possible. Clients want to know who is who when dealing with your team. I have been in so many practices where it was difficult to tell the difference between the doctor, the pet care attendant and sometimes the client! We can do better than that. Every employee should wear a nametag with at least their first name and their title. The doctors full name is appropriate. We have so many options available to us for uniforms from the fun animal prints to the more conservative. Your dress code should match your practice culture and expectations should be a part of your hospital policy manual. Just because we work with animals does not mean we have to look like them.

Comment by an audience member:
Great topic! I know I appreciate that my vet - though I have known him personally for many years - is always professional in his behavior AND dress. He's always wearing at tie AND a lab coat. His staff members always look great and make sure they are presentable before coming into the exam rooms. Something I always tend to look at are SHOES. Often this detail is overlooked when it comes to "talking uniforms."

Comment by Sandy Walsh, RVT, CVPM
I totally agree. Not only is it important to wear appropriate shoes but they have to be clean and in good condition. Proper grooming from head to toe.

Comment by the moderator (Sheri L Berger, DVM, DACVO):
Thanks for sharing. I wonder what others think? And how they handle "violators" - the people who either don't want to wear the uniform for one reason or another OR the chronic offender who forgets...

With regard to shoes - open toed shoes / sandals / flip flops, etc. are flat out dangerous (in addition to looking less than veterinary professional)! There are so many ways someone's foot could be injured in the vet hospital setting!

Comment by Sandy Walsh, RVT, CVPM:
It does seem silly that we would have to specify what is meant by "appropriate" shoes, but we do. I have seen it all and have had to deal with many offenders over the years. Once you have a defined and specific dress code, it should be part of your employee handbook. This gives you what you need to enforce it. If the hospital is assisting employees with uniforms or a uniform allowance, there is really no reason for noncompliance. Employees who show up for work in less than appropriate attire or who look like they just rolled out of bed should not be let off the hook. Give them the opportunity to correct the situation on site if possible. If they don't have alternate clothing available or cannot comply - send them home. If you have chronic offenders it becomes a disciplinary issue. Document each and every conversation and incident. Just be specific and be consistent with how you address violators. I have had to terminate employees for chronic failure to adhere to the dress code and appearance expectations.