A new approach to inspiring youngsters to care for animals is proving popular at city schools.

Nurseries, primary schools and special needs schools have all been visited for a special talk designed to get the youngsters thinking.

Norwich Evening News: One of the schools that has experiences the teddy bear clinic from Rackheath Vets is Rackheath Primary One of the schools that has experiences the teddy bear clinic from Rackheath Vets is Rackheath Primary (Image: Rackheath Vets)

Chris Tomlinson, director at Rackheath Vets, said: “My aim was to set up a practice that could be a resource for the community.  

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Norwich Evening News: Chris said Rackheath Vets is so fun and really community focussed Chris said Rackheath Vets is so fun and really community focussed (Image: Rackheath Vets)

“We wanted to ensure that we were reaching children from underprivileged backgrounds who never thought they would be able to do that.” 

And that's where the fun begins, courtesy of a special guest.

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Norwich Evening News: Owen is one of the vets hoping to reach the community Owen is one of the vets hoping to reach the community (Image: Rackheath Vets)

Chris continued: “I take my puppet Wolfie to schools and we work with the children to check him over and make him feel better.  

“The premise of the talk is that he’s stolen some sausages from a barbecue and is feeling miserable, but we aren’t sure if he’s just eaten too many sausages or maybe gotten something he shouldn’t so we have to find out.” 

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Norwich Evening News: He has visited some 17 schools to date and is excited to go to more He has visited some 17 schools to date and is excited to go to more (Image: Rackheath Vets)

The children then work with Chris to use their senses to check Wolfie and once they have made him feel better and worked on other skills they are ready to bandage up their own stuffed animals.  

Rackheath Vets, in Wendover Road, created 24 jobs when it opened in February, with the village expanding rapidly amid a housing boom.

Norwich Evening News: The practise opened in February 2023 The practise opened in February 2023 (Image: Rackheath Vets)

Chris, who came out of retirement to launch the practice in Rackheath Industrial Estate, said: “It is so much fun, and it’s so rewarding to see the children excited about the industry.  

“It really is such a fun job and we don’t want children to think that they have to be super academic in order to go into it.” 

Norwich Evening News: Children will learn how to treat animals using all senses Children will learn how to treat animals using all senses (Image: Rackheath Vets)

To book your own teddy bear clinic experience, email admin@rackheathvets.co.uk.