Veterinary practice achieves North East first

A Newcastle veterinary practice has become the first in the North East to achieve a specialist accreditation recognising its commitment to reducing anxiety and stress in animals.

Harrison Family Vets in Callerton has secured Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification following an assessment of its facilities, staff and approach to animal care.

The practice, which opened in June following a £400,000 investment that created six jobs, was designed around Fear Free principles.

Features include calming lighting, dedicated pet waiting pods, separate dog and cat wards, and consultation rooms designed to help animals feel more relaxed.

All members of the Callerton team have also achieved individual Fear Free certification.

The accreditation, developed in the United States, focuses on improving pets’ emotional wellbeing during veterinary visits.

The Callerton practice is the sixth within the Harrison Family Vets group to secure the accreditation, joining existing certified locations in Stockton, Didsbury, Doncaster, Reading and Kingswinford.

Kristie Faulkner, operations director at Harrison Family Vets, said: “We are delighted that our Callerton team have achieved Fear Free practice certification and particularly proud that this is the first certified practice in the North East.

“Callerton was designed with the emotional wellbeing of pets in mind from the very beginning, so achieving certification is an important recognition of the work our team puts into reducing fear, anxiety and stress for every patient.

“Becoming a Fear Free accredited practice is about more than the physical environment. It involves the whole team and the way we approach every interaction throughout the veterinary visit with pets and their owners.”

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