Back to Situations

Emergency Appointment Request

Calling the clinic to request an urgent or emergency appointment for your pet due to a sudden illness or injury.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
John (Male)
Hello, my name is John. I need to make an emergency appointment for my dog, Buster. He just collapsed and seems to be in a lot of pain.
2
Emily (Female)
Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that, John. What's Buster's breed and age, please? And how long ago did this happen?
3
John (Male)
He's a Golden Retriever, about 8 years old. This just happened about 15 minutes ago. He was fine, then suddenly yelped and fell over. He's breathing, but very shallowly.
4
Emily (Female)
Okay, John. We have an opening right now. Can you get him here within the next 20-30 minutes? Our address is 123 Oak Street.
5
John (Male)
Yes, absolutely! I'm leaving now. Is there anything I should do for him on the way? He's quite heavy.
6
Emily (Female)
Just try to keep him as comfortable and still as possible. Avoid feeding him anything. When you arrive, pull up to the front door, and someone will be out to help you bring him in. We'll be ready for you.
7
John (Male)
Thank you so much, Emily. I really appreciate your help. We're on our way.
8
Emily (Female)
You're very welcome, John. Drive safely, and we'll see you shortly. If anything changes, please call us back immediately.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

emergency

A sudden and serious situation that needs immediate help, like a pet getting sick quickly.

appointment

A planned time to meet someone, such as booking a visit to the vet for your pet.

collapsed

Fell down suddenly, often because of weakness or illness, like a dog fainting.

pain

A feeling of hurt or discomfort, which animals show by whining or not moving.

breed

The type or variety of an animal, like Golden Retriever for a specific kind of dog.

yelped

Made a short, sharp cry of pain or surprise, commonly used for dogs barking suddenly.

shallowly

In a way that is not deep, like breathing that is quick and light instead of full.

comfortable

Feeling relaxed and without pain or worry, important for keeping a sick pet calm.

avoid

To stay away from or not do something, like not giving food to a sick animal.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

I need to make an emergency appointment for my dog.

This is a direct way to request urgent help; use it when calling for a sudden pet issue. 'Make an appointment' is a common phrase for booking, and 'emergency' adds urgency.

He just collapsed and seems to be in a lot of pain.

Describes symptoms clearly; useful for explaining pet problems. 'Just' means very recently, and 'seems to be' softens the statement to show observation.

What's Buster's breed and age, please?

A polite question to gather info; use in service calls. 'What's... please?' is a courteous way to ask, and it uses 'and' to connect two details.

This just happened about 15 minutes ago.

Gives timing of an event; helpful for emergencies. 'About' means approximately, and the structure reports recent facts simply.

We have an opening right now.

Offers an available slot; useful in scheduling. 'Opening' means free time, and 'right now' emphasizes immediacy for urgent situations.

Can you get him here within the next 20-30 minutes?

Asks about arrival time; practical for confirming logistics. 'Within' means before a limit, and 'the next' specifies future time range.

Just try to keep him as comfortable and still as possible.

Gives advice on care; use for instructions. 'As... as possible' is an idiom meaning to the best extent, and 'try to' suggests effort.

Drive safely, and we'll see you shortly.

A friendly closing; common in service talks. 'Drive safely' is a polite wish, and 'shortly' means soon, with 'and' connecting ideas.