Cave Veterinary Specialists has been recognised for its high-quality care for dogs.
Leading Somerset Animal Hospital Top Dog For Canine Welfare
2 weeks ago 
161 views
A renowned South West veterinary referral centre has been honoured with a prestigious award for its high-quality care for dogs.
Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists has received Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation from Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA).
Sophie Lee, a registered veterinary nurse and dog advocate at Cave, said: “We recognise that the emotional state of our patients is just as important as their physical state.
“By making efforts to help our patients feel secure in the clinic we are better able to deliver the highest quality care during their treatment with us.”
Specific measures Cave has introduced to gain the canine-friendly accolade include using dog-friendly techniques to admit canine patients into the animal hospital and having a range of non-slip mats available, including on weighing scales.
Additionally, orthopaedic mattresses are available for each kennel, plus water stands if appropriate and a large supply of comfy bedding including duvets, pillows and blankets to make sure all dogs are comfortable and catered for.
For long-stay patients, there are a variety of enrichment toys available, which are also used at feeding time.
Sophie added: “Receiving this dog-friendly accreditation gives our clients even more peace of mind that their dog is as comfortable, calm and stress free as they can be during their stay at Cave.”
Dr Rachel Casey, director of strategy and transformation 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 Cave Veterinary Specialists 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.”
Cave, located just minutes from Junction 26 on the M5, offers comprehensive, specialist-led services in anaesthesia, cardiology, dentistry and oral surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedic surgery and soft tissue surgery.
For more information on Cave Veterinary Specialists, visit https://cave-vet-specialists.co.uk or search for Cave Veterinary Specialists on social media.
More from Linnaeus Group
6 days ago