Thoughtful Design
A great hospital can only start from a great floor plan. Also, carefully consider the materials you choose as these will not only look aesthetically pleasing, but can also deliver many practical benefits.
Your veterinary practice should be designed to have adequate space for your veterinary team, students, patients, and equipment. There should be separate areas for different procedures, including surgery, examination, and recovery, to minimise noise and disturbances.
As a teaching facility, think about how you want to incorporate and communicate your values and philosophy to your clients too. It can often help you decide how to lay out your practice!
Dedicated Spaces for Cats and Dogs
A trend that is becoming more popular than ever is having separate and dedicated areas for different animals.
Try to create separate entrances and waiting areas to ensure a stress-free welcome. Dogs and Cats have different stress triggers and needs so having dedicated wards, and specialised treatment areas are now considered best practice.
These designated spaces provide a comfortable and controlled environment for patients, allowing for more efficient treatment, monitoring and better surgical outcomes.
"Competitors in general wanted to call in architects and go to all these lavish means, just to create what CASCO Pet was able to do in a few months!"JEROD VANNATTER
Reduce Noise
A significant issue in a veterinary clinic that can cause anxiety for animals – and make for a stressful and uncomfortable work environment as well – is excessive noise.
While once considered part and parcel of treating animals, vet clinics are increasingly looking at ways to reduce the impact of noise. A thoughtfully designed floor plan, the use of sound-absorbing materials, a reduction in the use of noise-amplifying stainless steel, particularly for patient containment, can all help to control noise levels.
By implementing sound-absorbing materials such as glass kennels and walls and acoustic panels, as well as minimising equipment noise, you can significantly reduce noise and, with it, stress levels. This creates a calm environment that promotes faster healing and enhances the overall well-being of patients and the veterinary team.
Colour Palette for a Calm Environment
Choosing the right colour palette can significantly impact the ambiance of a veterinary clinic.
Although white can convey cleanliness and purity, which are essential qualities in a veterinary practice, too much white can appear clinical and cold. So think about adding touches of other colours that can help soften the overall aesthetic.
Soft, soothing colours such as blues and greens are often associated with trust, stability, and relaxation which can create a calming effect, reducing anxiety for both patients and visitors.
Also think about incorporating natural elements, such as wood and indoor plants, can also contribute to a serene and inviting atmosphere.
You can tell patients feel more secure and private in their CASCO kennels, with less interference from noisy and nosey neighbours. This is reassuring for us, our clients and most importantly, our patients!Michael Lazaris
Incorporate Natural Light
In addition to choosing a soothing colour palette, the incorporation of natural, controllable lighting can greatly enhance the ambiance of a veterinary clinic. Maximising the use of natural light not only reduces the reliance on artificial lighting but also offers numerous benefits for both patients and staff.
Sunlight has been proven to positively impact mood and well-being, creating a sense of calm and serenity. When designing clinic spaces, consider large windows, skylights, or light tubes to allow ample natural light to flood the rooms. This not only creates a visually appealing environment but also helps regulate circadian rhythms, promoting healthier sleep patterns and overall improved patient recovery.
Controllable LEDs for a Calmer Environment
Moreover, incorporating controllable lighting systems allows for customisation and flexibility. By utilising adjustable lighting fixtures, such as dimmable LED lights, you can tailor the lighting to specific areas or procedures. Bright, well-lit spaces are ideal for examination and treatment rooms, while softer, warmer lighting can be used in recovery areas to create a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.
By striking a balance between natural light and controllable artificial lighting, you can design veterinary clinics that provide a calm and comforting environment for patients and veterinary team, while also enhancing the learning environment for veterinary students. This attention to lighting design not only improves the overall aesthetics of the clinic but also contributes to the well-being and healing of the animals in your care.
The add-ons that come with CASCO’s clinical housing are a huge bonus. No one else has heating elements, lights and other features that support the day-to-day operations of a vet hospital.Dana Novara
Effective Odour Control
Maintaining a pleasant atmosphere in veterinary clinics is crucial for patient and client comfort. Incorporating advanced ventilation systems, air purifiers, and proper waste management protocols can help control odours effectively. Ensuring a clean and fresh-smelling environment is not only beneficial for patient recovery but also enhances the overall experience for students and visitors.
Both dogs and cats have a strong sense of smell, and this can make them very nervous. Fitting a filtration system throughout the clinic, including the patient kennels, is a way to ensure that the air turns over frequently.
Adopting Fear Free Disciplines and Products
Fear Free practices focus on creating a calm and positive environment, which significantly reduces fear, anxiety, and stress in animals.
When animals are calm and cooperative, veterinarians can perform more thorough examinations and procedures. Fear Free techniques allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the animal's health, leading to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans.
By integrating Fear Free principles and recognised products into the design and operation of veterinary clinics, you create an environment that promotes positive interactions between patients, veterinary teams, and students, facilitating a positive learning experience.
WELLKennels have been designed in collaboration with veterinarians to meet the highest standards and are both Fear Free and ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine) certified.
CASCO Pet’s WELLKennels are a revolutionary breakthrough in veterinary animal housing. The benefits they offer over traditional cages are awesome and truly speak to the Fear Free principles we promote globally.Dr Marty Becker
Teach with the Best
Veterinary practices located within universities are unique spaces, as they not only have to provide excellent patient care but also serve as first class learning environments for students.
By partnering with CASCO Pet, we can provide an unparalleled level of patient comfort, with incorporated technology that will reduce stress and ensure better clinical outcomes for both day and overnight stays.
Collaborating with professionals who prioritise innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and evidence-based practices allows you to educate future veterinarians with the best resources available.
How we can help
We can work with you, your architects or designers to create exceptional learning environments that offer both outstanding patient care and valuable educational opportunities for veterinary students.
Our design experts will provide you with floor plans, renders and even a 3D walk-thru to enable you to maximise your space and visualise your new practice before it is even built.
Great people and great service. Complete professionals and experts at what they do. No high-pressure sales, but a desire to understand the vision of the practice and see how they can help.Chris Dietrich