VetThing

Joining VetThing: What it means for you

We’re pleased to share some news: Orchard House Veterinary Centres has joined VetThing, a new UK vet-led group founded and led by Dr Ben Hanning MRCVS.

We understand that change can sometimes feel unsettling, so we want to be open about what this means for you and your pets.

VetThing is part of Vetopia, a pan-European veterinary group that is majority-owned by the vets and veterinary professionals who work within it, alongside some external investment to support growth. This means that the people making decisions genuinely understand what high-quality veterinary care looks like.

As one of the early practices to join, we’re proud to be part of something built from the ground up by vets, for vets, and for the clients and pets they care for.

Reassuringly, nothing has changed for you or your pets. We remain independently run here at Orchard House Veterinary Centres, with full control over everything we do — including our prices, services, team, and the care we provide. You’ll still be greeted by the same friendly faces and receive the personal care you’ve always known. Tim will continue to lead the team as Clinical Director.

Being part of VetThing gives us additional support and room to grow, while allowing us to stay true to our values. Our focus remains exactly the same: caring for your pets as if they were our own — just as we have for the past 27 years.

Orchard House Veterinary Centres

Client FAQ:  Orchard House & VetThing

Are you still independent?

We remain independently managed and locally run, with full control over our prices, services, staffing decisions, and the day-to-day running of our practice. While we have joined a new vet-led group called VetThing, we continue to make our own decisions.

Have you been bought by a large corporate group?

No. VetThing is a UK vet-led group, founded and led by Dr Ben Hanning MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon. VetThing is part of Vetopia, which is majority-owned by the veterinary professionals who work within it. There is some corporate investment, but control stays with veterinary professionals, not large financial organisations.

Why did you join a group?

VetThing allows us to continue growing in the way we have over the past 27 years. It gives us access to shared resources, training, and behind-the-scenes support, while keeping all clinical and business decisions entirely our own.

Are your prices going up?

No. Our prices remain fully under our control. Being independently run means we decide what is fair and sustainable for both our clients and our patients.

Will the level of care change?

Nothing about our day-to-day care has changed. We continue to set our own clinical standards, protocols, treatments, and consultation times.

Are the vets or nurses leaving?

Our team is incredibly important to us, and they are staying. We are excited about this next chapter and made this decision to continue offering a great place to work and grow.

Will you still choose your own medicines and treatments?

We remain in full control of all clinical decisions. Nothing is dictated by a head office. Being part of VetThing may help us secure better value on supplies, which in turn helps keep costs as steady as possible.

Will you still run your own appointments and services?

Appointment lengths, services, new equipment, and our overall approach remain entirely under our control as an independently run practice.

Are you becoming like the large corporate chains?

No. Traditional corporate groups are controlled by external investors. VetThing and Vetopia are majority-owned by veterinary professionals, and we retain full decision-making at practice level.

Will this make the practice bigger?

Joining VetThing gives us additional support if we choose to grow. Any changes to our buildings, team, or services are entirely our decision. For example, we have expanded our Stocksfield surgery, and we are ever hopeful to upgrade our Hexham branch in the future—but these are the decisions of our team.

So who owns the practice now?

Tim continues in his role as Clinical Director and remains significantly invested in the practice. VetThing sits within Vetopia, which is largely owned by veterinary professionals (now including Tim!), alongside some external investment to support growth. While the CEO title has changed, the same familiar team will still be here at Orchard House Vets, making the same day-to-day decisions.

Will your opening hours change?

There are no changes to our opening hours or availability. These decisions are made here at Orchard House Vets, and will only change if we feel it benefits our clients and patients.

Can we still see the same vet?

Continuity of care is very important to us, so you will continue to see the same familiar faces who know you and your pets.

Will my Well Pet Club membership change?

Our Well Pet Club direct debit will remain with Premier Vet Alliance and continue to be managed by ourselves. We decide our products, services, and prices in-house with our management team.

Will your values or ethos change?

As an independently run practice, our values remain firmly in our hands. We will always focus on caring for your pets in a personal, honest, and community-minded way.

Does this affect my pet’s ongoing treatment?

We continue to manage all treatment plans, medications, and follow-up care ourselves. Everything remains the same for your pet and their ongoing care.

Will insurance claims or prescriptions change?

Prescription policies, insurance processing, and clinical decisions are all handled locally, so there is no change for clients.

If you would like more information or to have a chat with us please do not hesitate to get in touch with your practice.