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Step inside a practice designed with pets, and people in mind

Harrison Family Vets has built its outstanding reputation on an unwavering dedication to pet-centric care, guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: to provide the care your pet would choose. This belief underpins every element of their practice design, ensuring that clinical excellence is matched by an environment tailored to the emotional and physical needs of pets. Their approach is rooted in the understanding that clients are ultimately most influenced by the compassion they witness. As their Group Clinical Director James Harris puts it, what truly matters to pet owners is not just expertise, but genuine care.

With this ethos at the forefront, every Harrison Family Vets practice is designed to create a sense of calm and efficiency from the moment clients walk through the door. Their newest, state-of-the-art facility includes six consult rooms, two operating theaters, a dedicated dental suite, and specialized wards for dogs, cats, exotics, and isolation cases. Every space is intentionally planned to support smooth workflows, reduce unnecessary movement, and ensure both patients and team benefit from a thoughtfully structured environment.

Smart Design for Superior Care

One of the core principles behind the clinic’s layout is efficiency—with a clear understanding that team member time is one of the most significant operational costs. That’s why good practice design is seen as invaluable, delivering both workflow benefits and long-term cost savings.

This thinking is reflected in the clinic’s layout, which eliminates unnecessary corridors and ensures a smooth flow between reception, consult rooms, pharmacy, prep areas, and kennels. They have also installed our ward cabinetry, which uses spacious, soft close cupboards and pull-out compartments to further streamline their pet-centric workflow. Beyond layout, they’ve also prioritized acoustics, working with auditory specialists to soundproof the environment. Reducing noise isn’t just about comfort—it directly impacts pet wellbeing, helping to lower stress levels and prevent potential hearing damage. It also improves working conditions for the veterinary team, with many professionals reporting noise as a significant contributor to workplace stress.

Through these thoughtful design choices, Harrison Family Vets demonstrates a truly pet-centric approach—one that supports both patient care and team wellbeing at every level.

“Team member time is one of our most significant expenses. If the team is spending time walking between poorly planned spaces, that’s wasted time and, ultimately, wasted resources. Good practice design is worth its weight in gold.”

James Harris Group Clinical Director, Harrison Family Vets

The WELLKennel Difference

Another example of Harrison Family Vets’ commitment to putting pets first is their adoption of WELLKennels—specifically designed to address the many limitations of traditional stainless-steel cages.

The team also understands that the kennel environment is a critical part of the overall care experience, particularly in the pre- and post-operative stages. Features such as integrated heating have had a meaningful impact on patient care. Knowing that heat loss begins as soon as a pet is sedated, the ability to maintain a warm and consistent temperature within the kennel helps support comfort and recovery. Their approach is proactive, minimizing heat loss from the outset, rather than needing to reverse it later, highlighting their attention to the details that truly matter in clinical outcomes.

“The main benefit of WELLKennels is the reduction in vibrational sound. The glass design keeps pets calmer''

James Harris Group Clinical Director, Harrison Family Vets

A Competitive Advantage in Recruitment & Client Experience

Beyond patient care, WELLKennels have become a valuable asset for Harrison Family Vets in both recruitment and client engagement. During recent hiring efforts, the team began receiving a new kind of question from veterinary nurses—specifically about the type of kennels used in the practice. This marked a shift in expectations and highlighted the growing importance of Fear Free-aligned environments in attracting skilled professionals. The presence of WELLKennels signaled to candidates that the clinic prioritized low-stress handling and pet wellbeing, helping the practice stand out to top talent.

The impact extended to clients as well. When touring the facility, pet owners consistently notice the kennels, often expressing surprise and admiration. The design and quality leave a strong first impression, reinforcing trust and confidence in the clinic’s commitment to pet care.

“We started getting feedback from nurses during recruitment. They were asking, ‘What type of kennels do you have?’ That was a new question for us, but it made us realize that the type of kenneling we use matters—not just to pets, but to our team.”

James Harris Group Clinical Director, Harrison Family Vets

“Clients are blown away by the kennels. They stop and take notice. I’ve seen clients walk into the kennel area and say, ‘Wow, I wasn’t expecting this."

James Harris Group Clinical Director, Harrison Family Vets

Defining the Future of Veterinary Care

Harrison Family Vets firmly believes that CASCO Pet’s WELLKennels represent the future of kenneling in veterinary practices.

This comes as no surprise given that we share their desire to put pet wellbeing before everything else.

By aligning their practice design with their pet-centered philosophy, Harrison Family Vets continues to set new standards in veterinary excellence - where every detail, from the consult room layout to the kennel environment, is chosen with the pet’s best interests at heart.

“I can’t imagine anyone who has worked with CASCO kennels then choosing to go back to stainless steel. Once you go CASCO, you don’t go back.”

James Harris Group Clinical Director, Harrison Family Vets

Let’s discuss your project

We love seeing both our clients and their patients reaping the rewards of our innovative clinical housing range, so if you are a new clinic or a surgery looking to refit and revolutionize your veterinary wards, do get in touch!

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