TYNEDALE’S Orchard House veterinary centres have received a record eight nominations in the UK Veterinary “Oscars”, the Pet Plan National Veterinary Awards.

The business was first set up in 1998 by clinical director and veterinary surgeon Tim Pearson, who started out in Hexham and then acquired a second branch in Stocksfield in 2004.

Both branches have received a nomination as veterinary practice of the year. Vets Susie Bruce, Jill Crawford and Tim Pearson are all in competition for vet of the year. Laura Garfoot is nominated as veterinary nurse of the year. And client care advisors Cristina Paterson and Penny Hamman are both nominated as practice support of the year.

Tim said: “Thank you so much to all our clients who have recognised our hard work and dedication to pets in Tynedale by nominating us for these awards.

“The health and happiness of the pets under our care is our number one priority. We try very hard to live up to our promise to care for pets as if they were our own.”

Nominations are judged by an independent panel of leading professionals, including the residents of the veterinary and veterinary nursing associations, and previous winners of the awards.

The judges have first-hand experience of life in practice and are able to use their veterinary expertise to judge the truly outstanding teams and individuals from the nominations received each year.

Finalists from across the UK are invited to attend an awards ceremony at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association conference on Thursday, April 6, where the winners will be announced.

Tim added: “Whilst it is amazing to have so many staff as finalists, I don’t think we can spare all the nominees from the practice to go to the awards ceremony – the pets have to come first.

“If we do win, we can dance on the practice ambulance – it will be just like the award-winning film, La La Land!”

This year is already shaping up to be a successful one for the business, with a new Bellingham branch scheduled to open in the summer.