A KINGSWINFORD veterinary practice has become only the second outside the US to secure a pioneering accreditation recognising initiatives and facilities designed to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for visiting pets.

The ‘Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification’ took Harrison Family Vets several months to achieve and included a rigorous assessment and inspection process.

Last October, the veterinary business’s Reading practice became the first in the UK to secure the certification which is now the accepted gold standard in north American veterinary practices.

The Kingswinford practice opened at the start of 2022 at Gatehouse Retail Park on Dudley Road and it includes separate dog and cat wards with mood lighting, aromas and music to create a calming atmosphere. The practice waiting area features bespoke pods, spaced at least two metres apart, giving clients their own space and shielding pets from the stresses of facing other pets in a traditional waiting room. Each pod has its own screen displaying pet jokes and facts through to information about pet welfare and nutrition.

Rosie Levene-Barry, clinic director at Harrison Family Vets in Kingswinford, said: “It’s no secret that visiting a vet can be stressful for pets and securing the Fear Free Certification is part of our continued commitment to transforming how veterinary services are delivered.

“There’s no doubt this accreditation will make a genuine difference to pets and their owners throughout the West Midlands, so it’s something that our entire team are very proud of.”

Kristie Faulkner, operations director at Harrison Family Vets, said: “Fear Free is a fast-growing movement in the US and it’s brilliant for Harrison Family Vets, as an independent veterinary group, to be leading the charge in the UK and especially in Kingswinford.”

Kingswinford became Harrison Family Vets’ second practice after the group launched in Reading in 2021.

The business has since opened practices in Didsbury, Stockton, Doncaster and Wigan, and the ambition is that they will also gain Fear Free accreditation in the near future.