Harrison Family Vets in Callerton is the sixth practice in the group to achieve the Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification following a rigorous assessment of how its team delivers care to pets. The recognised accreditation is designed to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for pets other practices within the family-owned independent veterinary group to achieve the certification, include Stockton, Didsbury, Doncaster, Reading and Kingswinford.

The achievement builds on Harrison Family Vets’ pioneering relationship with Fear Free. In 2023, its Reading practice became the first veterinary practice outside North America to achieve the certification.

Fear Free was founded in the USA in 2016 by veterinarian Dr Marty Becker and focuses on reducing fear, anxiety and stress in animals while they are receiving veterinary care. The practice certification process assesses veterinary teams, facilities and approaches to handling and treating animals, with a focus on patients’ emotional wellbeing.

Harrison Family Vets opened in Callerton in June following a £400,000 investment, creating six new jobs at the group’s tenth practice. The clinic was designed around Fear Free principles, with features including calming ambient lighting, dedicated pet waiting pods, separate dog and cat wards, and consultation rooms designed to provide a relaxed environment.

Pets visiting the practice can also choose a reward from a pick-and-mix treat stand, while a toy box provides another way for the team to make visits more positive.

As well as the practice certification each member of the Callerton team has undergone the Fear Free process and become individually certified.

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.”

Harrison Family Vets was founded in 2021 and remains family-owned and independent, with three generations of the Harrison family working in the business. The group now has 10 practices across the UK, including Reading, Kingswinford, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Wigan, Leeds, Stoke, Sheffield and Newcastle.

For more information, visit www.harrisonfamilyvets.co.uk.

Picture caption: Julie Basey and Charlotte Dyer from Harrison Family Vets in Callerton.