PRACTICE HEALTH PLAN
To enable owners to spread the cost of routine treatment we have designed our own optional practice membership scheme - PET HEALTH PLAN.

The practice membership scheme provides pet owners with the support they need to help their pets stay fit and healthy.

Treatment on the Plan includes vaccination, worming, flea treatment, discounts, accident insurance (optional) extended payment scheme. For further information on our Pet Health Plan please speak to a member of staff.

EMERGENCY SERVICE
Staff at Ark House believe that your pet will get the best care and treatment in an emergency from a specialised team of Vets who are devoted and experienced in accident and emergency work.

BEDS VETS provides a central, hospital style, emergency service with experienced staff available at all times and Vets who work solely with emergency cases (just like the A & E at your local hospital).

BEDS VETS is easily contacted out of hours by 'phoning our normal number - 01525 373329. You will automatically be put through to BEDS VETS. We are confident that BEDS VETS emergency service will provide the very best care and treatment possible for your pet.

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE
We are very proud that Ark House has been recognised as an Investor in People for some years after achieving the required standard.

We are fully committed to developing workforce skills in order to achieve our wider business aims and objectives in the veterinary sector. We consistently evaluate our training and development programme as we know that our staff are central to business success and that people development is of paramount importance.

We acknowledge it is vital for staff to be flexible and motivated and have the most up-to-date skills necessary to carry out their work to the high standard the profession demands.

SOFT TISSUE SURGERY SPECIALIST
We are able to offer the services of a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist in Soft Tissue Surgery from our own premises. Please click on 'Referrals' in the main menu for further information

RCVS ACCREDITATION
Ark House Veterinary Surgery is proud to be an approved member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme. As an accredited practice, we have passed an inspection carried out by an experienced veterinary surgeon focusing on a range of areas including hygiene, health and safety, clinical governance and the facilities we provide, to name just a few of the many criteria.

The practice will be reinspected every 4 years and we will be subject to spot-checks in the meantime, so we have to keep on our toes. The Practice Standards scheme is a voluntary initiative - not all practices are part of it yet. RCVS accreditation means that as a client you can rest assured that our practice offers a high quality of care - in those bits of the practice you can see - and those that you can't.

Ark House has been accredited RCVS General Practice - Small Animal. This means that, in addition to complying with Core Standards, such as health and safety, hygiene and legal requirements and the provision of 24-hour cover, we also have access to laboratory facilities for diagnostic testing, have a system for monitoring the outcome of treatments and show commitment to the education and training of our staff.

ACUPUNCTURE
Ark House is now able to offer Acupuncture treatment for cats and dogs for a variety of conditions. Acupuncture can be particularly useful in treating lameness and back pain often found in arthritic animals or those that have suffered injury.

Qualified Veterinary Acupuncturist and Veterinary Surgeon Jennifer Harrison runs clinics throughout the week.

For an initial assessment appointment lasting 45 minutes, please call 01525 373329 for an appointment.

OPEN DAYS
Open Days have proved to be very successful and we are often asked when the next one is! Because of the high interest we hold one every year, usually on a Saturday in May. Open Days provide a chance for the general public to have a look 'behind the scenes' and find out where and how we look after pets when they are left in our care.

As well as being an informative and interesting afternoon with many displays and demonstrations, there are competitions, quizes and some live animals to keep both adults and children entertained.

It is an opportunity to meet all our staff in a relaxed environment and we look forward each year to seeing our regular clients and new faces at what is an informative, entertaining and social afternoon.

PET SMILE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2008
During September 2008 owners are invited to bring their pet for a free Pet Smile check up with our Practice Nurse - a free check on your pet's oral health. In addition we have a discount of 20% on all our dental products.

A national 'Healthy Smile' Art competition is also being held with prizes including a flight in a Hot Air Balloon and iPod shuffles. For more information talk to our staff.

As vets we are very worried about the state of pets' teeth in the UK. It is estimated that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 urgently need dental treatment. Many loving pet owners do not realise the extent of their pet's disease and are unaware of the importance of tooth brushing, daily oral hygiene chews and special dental diets which can help avoid the problems. For more information ask a member of staff or visit www.PetSmile.com through our links page.

DENTAL OFFER MONTH OCTOBER 2008
During October 2008 we are offering a full dental package for cats and dogs at a fixed price. If you think your pet may need dental treatment contact us on 01525 373329 and take advantage of our FREE check ups . If your pet needs dental treatment the package includes:

Pre operative check, Pre anaesthetic blood test, General Anaesthetic, Dental Scale and Polish, Extractions if required, Antibiotics and Pain relief as required, Post operative nurse check up.

Animals are usually with us for the day, arriving between 8am and 8.30am and going home again sometime in the afternoon. (If you have particular requirements please contact a member of staff.) Only £120 for cats and £160 for dogs for the month of October