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Independent practice wins Practice of the Year
House & Jackson says it is 'proud' to have remained independent.
House & Jackson called the award an ‘enormous compliment’.

House & Jackson, an independent veterinary practice in Essex, has been named Practice of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards.

The practice said it was ‘absolutely wonderful’ to win the accolade, having been nominated for the award by its clients.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Petplan Veterinary Awards, which received 38,000 nominations from clients and veterinary staff. House & Jackson was selected as one of three finalists, before being named Practice of the Year at a ceremony in Manchester.

The equine and small animal practice began in 1980 as a husband-and-wife team operating out of their own home.

It has since developed into an RCVS-accredited hospital, with two additional Pet Clinics nearby.

Throughout its history House & Jackson says it is ‘proud’ to have remained independent, and to have succeeded against corporate-owned competitors. The award-winning practice is a member of the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP), a community of independent practices which support each other to thrive in a challenging industry climate.

House & Jackson attributes its success to its ‘wonderfully talented’ veterinary surgeons and nurses, as well as an ‘incredible’ team of support staff.

It says that its passion and commitment to animals has rewarded the practice with loyal clients.

Following its win the practice has said that it will continue to provide its clients and patients with the best possible care, while extending the work it does with local charities RSPCA and Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

The practice maintains that customer service remains its focus, as it continues to improve customer experience.

A spokesperson for House & Jackson said: “We wholeheartedly embrace being an independent practice; it allows us to take our own path, and we believe it makes us that little bit more special.

“We didn’t set out to win this award, but being recognised by our clients and the Petplan panel in this way is an enormous compliment. Other independents should feel equally empowered by their individuality.”

Image © Petplan

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
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DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.