5 tips from award-winning veterinary hospital owners

Tip 1: Don't overlook existing buildings

- Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS

NorthStar VETS

Maple Shade, New Jersey

2017 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition Merit Award winner

This Merit Award-winning hospital used to be a mattress store, then a seasonal Halloween store. Its minimal interior architecture was perfect for a creative hospital layout. Why pay for a structure when the right one might be waiting out here for you to make it your own? Check out more of the hospital here.

Fetch's Katie James talks to the Dr. Michael O'Dea

Tip 2: Get hospital design wish lists from the whole hospital team

- Michael O'Dea, DVM

Pet Emergency Clinic and Referral Center

Spokane, Washington

2017 Veterinary Economics Specialty Hospital of the Year

If you want your entire team to feel real ownership of your new facility or remodel, why not involve them in thinking about what they need and weighing options with you? No one (reasonable) expects the new hospital to have everything anyone asked for, but you'll get cool ideas and the team will feel listened to. Read more from Dr. O'Dea here.

Photo courtesy Kirk Gittings, Kirk Gittings Photography

Tip 3: Place cat condos with a view outside

- Daniel Levenson, DVM

Southwest Veterinary Medical Center

Albuquerque, New Mexico

2017 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition Merit Award winner

You're buying the beautiful cat condos with hidey-holes as well as views. Why not make sure those views give cats something fun to look at? Check out more of the hospital here.

Photo courtesy Brian Osborne, The Professional Photography Group

Tip 4: Reduce clients' stress with design

- Peggy Sayer, DVM, DACVIM (cardiology)

Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE)

Charlotte, North Carolina

2017 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition Merit Award winner

Smooth patient and client flow is one way to relieve animal and human stress. Another way is to consider interior design: “Use of natural materials such as marble, stone, wood and glass along with earth-tone colors create a relaxing environment." If you can't afford all that stone, think about colors, natural light, comfortable seating and a well-stocked snack and coffee bar. Check out more of the hospital here.

Photo courtesy Tim Murphy, Foto ImageryTip 5: Bring the outdoors in

- Andrew Reyda, DVM

Village Veterinary Clinic of Hamburg

Hamburg, New York

2017 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition Merit Award winner

Some facilities save all the great sunlight for client rooms, but those with the budget bring that light into treatment and work areas for patient and staff member benefit. Check out more of the hospital here.