Pets’n’Vets in Glasgow has been honoured with a prestigious award for its high quality of care for dogs.
Glasgow Vet Practice Is Top Dog For Canine Welfare
9 months ago 
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A popular Glasgow veterinary practice in Hairmyres has been honoured with a prestigious award for its high quality of care for dogs.
Pets’n’Vets has received Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest canine charity and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA).
It is the first Linnaeus-owned practice in Scotland to receive the accolade and is also one of the first members of the Dog Friendly Clinic scheme.
Katy Russell, veterinary nurse and dog advocate at Pets’n’Vets, said: “It’s an honour to be a member of this scheme and all of the practice team had to show they can perform dog friendly handling techniques to help dogs feel comfortable and to avoid stress when being handled.”
Pets’n’Vets has introduced a raft of measures to gain the coveted dog friendly status.
This includes a pre-visit guide with helpful tips on how to make both the dogs and clients visit to the practice less stressful.
It has also provided accessible treats in the waiting area for clients to give their dogs to help make their experience positive, as well as implementing the management of the waiting area to avoid interspecies contact.
Furthermore, for very anxious, reactive or extremely excitable patients, Pet’n’Vets will arrange appointment times, when possible, at quieter times of the day.
Katy added: “Being a part of the dog friendly accreditation scheme has been very positive for myself and the practice team.
“We are able to implement changes no matter how small or large they may seem for dogs under our veterinary care which can have a huge impact for a dog’s welfare and lead to a happier dog in the future.
“The behavioural knowledge and skills that we have learned so far has been invaluable and by being able to share this with clients we hope to improve the experience that dogs have when visiting us.”
Other dog friendly measures introduced at Pets’n’Vets include the use of Adaptil Pheromone plug ins in its consulting rooms and dog ward to help dogs feel calmer and more relaxed, and when dogs are hospitalised, the practice provides a comfortable environment with adequate space and reduced noise.
Rachel Casey, Head of Canine Behaviour and Research at Dogs Trust said: “Veterinary care is an essential part of dogs’ lives, but some find visits to the vets stressful. We are very pleased to collaborate with the BVBA to create the Dog Friendly Clinic scheme to help veterinary practices embed the principles of behavioural medicine into clinic life.
“Vet clinics are at the forefront of recognising and preventing the development of problem behaviours in dogs, and this scheme will help them develop the skills and knowledge to optimise the wellbeing of the dogs in their care.”
Chris Laurence, Chair of BVBA said: “Encouraging welfare-friendly treatment of dogs in veterinary practices is one of our primary objectives so every additional practice means many more dogs will benefit. We’re delighted that Pets’n’Vets has joined our dog friendly community. By doing so, they are helping ensure every dog has as positive an experience as possible within their clinic.”
Pets’n’Vets has seven practices in the Glasgow area including Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital, Pets’n’Vets Crookfur, Hairmyres Vets, Queens Park Vets, McDonalds Scotstoun, McDonalds Queen Margaret Drive and Blantyre Vets. For more information, visit: https://www.petsnvets.org.
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