THE team at Hale Vets are thrilled to welcome owners back into their consultation room.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, until recently owners had to wait outside while staff took animals for their appointment.

Sarah Wyatt, practice manager, said: “We are facilitating consultation rooms while we are in the lowest tier of the Government’s system. Clients are now welcome to come into the room. If the vet and client are happy, then the owner is able to restrain the animal as needed during the consultation, if not - or if they would rather remain at a distance - we have fully trained assistants able to assist.”

It is all part of the safety precautions implemented.

“All of our staff are walking around the practice in full PPE,” she said.

“We do get some funny reactions, especially from dogs as they can be a bit unsure of it. Keeping staff and clients safe is the main mission though.”

Ms Wyatt said the biggest challenge they had faced was meeting the demands of clients.

“We’ve not noticed a drop in people wanting appointments, so initially we had to balance getting enough staff back off furlough to see them.

“Then before we were able to start seeing people in person, there was the challenge for vets and owners of not being in the same room during a consultation.

“Our clients have been amazing. We know when they were unable to come inside the building it was daunting to wave their pet off, but they have been so supportive throughout.”

The team is now focusing on the coming months.

“Our short-term plan is to stay as we are, limiting the number of people entering the building and welcoming clients into the consultation room,” said Ms Wyatt.

“As long as we remain in the lowest of the tiers we’ll keep going as we are.”