Official opening party for Rackheath Vets, in Wendover Road

Rackheath Vets, in Wendover Road, celebrated its official opening on Sunday.

The day allowed new and prospective clients to look around the new surgery - including inside operating theatres with demonstrations on plush toys - and meet the team, and marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Rackheath Vets owner Chris Tomlinson at the grand opening with Caroline Thomas and her guide dog Storm (Image: Adam Jackson)

The practice has been in operation since January 30 and has taken on 24 staff from Rackheath and the surrounding areas as part of the operation.

Chris Tomlinson owns Rackheath Vets.

Rackheath Vets staff at the practice's grand opening - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

The 66-year-old vet retired in April 2022 but swiftly decided he was not ready to step down from the profession.

In starting his all-new practice Chris said he is excited to further embed himself and the business in a thriving and tight-knit community.

Rackheath Vets staff show visitors how their operating theatres work - using plush toy animals - at the practice's grand opening - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

"It was a fantastic, happy day of celebration," he said.

"We had more than 300 people come through, including old friends and new clients.

Rackheath Vets owner Chris Tomlinson with guests at the practice's grand opening on February 19 - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

"It was a great atmosphere.

"I'm really proud of the team - we've already got 450 pets on our books, but we have a capacity for around 5,000."

Rackheath Vets staff showing visitors the practice's facilities at the grand opening on February 19 - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

He said the day was extra special with the attendance of Norwich Guide Dog Fundraising, with Caroline and her guide dog Storm cutting the ribbon.

And with the practice servicing the likes of service and guide animals, he wanted to be as accessible to the disabled community as possible - whether that be site access or the staff it employs.

More than 300 people attended the grand opening of Rackheath Vets on February 19 - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

It is also a proud neurodiverse employer, joining an area where thousands of new homes are set to be built.

Chris added: "We want to be at the core of a community where we all work for the benefit of people and their pets and embrace the diversity within the community we've embedded ourselves in."

A guide dog at the grand opening of Rackheath Vets on February 19 - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)

Caroline Thomas cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of Rackheath Vets with owner Chris Tomlinson (Image: Adam Jackson)

Rackheath Vets on its grand opening day - Picture: Adam Jackson (Image: Adam Jackson)