Stress can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of both veterinary teams and their patients. In recent years, increasing attention has been drawn to the prevalence of stress and burnout within the veterinary profession, while organisations such as Fear Free have highlighted the importance of reducing stressors for animals within the clinical environment. While some causes of stress are inherent in veterinary care, thoughtful facility design can play an important role in creating calmer, healthier spaces for both people and animals.
When designing a fit-out or new-build scheme, one important stress-reducing consideration is the incorporation of biodiversity through biophilic design – the integration of nature into the built environment. In recent years, ACD Projects has seen a significant increase in demand for biophilic spaces, driven primarily by aesthetic preferences, but also by the ecological enhancements required to satisfy planning requirements such as biodiversity net gain. However, the benefits extend far beyond appearance and compliance. A growing body of research suggests that exposure to natural and biodiverse environments can help reduce stress and promote psychological restoration.
While green roofs and living walls may seem like obvious additions to introduce biophilic design, these features are not always feasible due to budget, maintenance requirements or building limitations. Biophilic design in a veterinary practice can instead be achieved through simple, cost-effective methods including native animal-friendly planting, strategic use of natural light, and naturally textured materials and finishes such as timber effect vinyl flooring, timber wall panelling or stone-effect surfaces. These small interventions can help strengthen a connection to nature without compromising hygiene or durability.
A common bugbear raised by vets approaching ACD Projects to discuss a new venture is the outdated or restrictive layout of their existing practice. Inefficient workflows and operational bottlenecks can create unnecessary daily frustrations, increase stress for staff, patients and clients, and in some cases influence decisions to move on. Regular stressors include illogically located dispensaries, insufficient storage close to the point of use, excessive travel between linked areas, and a constrained space for prep. While these issues may appear minor in isolation, they are often repeated dozens of times throughout the day, gradually taking their toll on a team.
An experienced architect will advise on vital considerations such as accessibility and means of escape. However, a designer with veterinary experience will also tell you how important it is to consider the small details. Does your practice design result in lost time in motion? Are there pinch points that could create congestion during busy periods? Is there a discreet route for grieving clients following euthanasia appointments? Have you considered how frequently used equipment, consumables and storage are positioned? These are some of the small details that can make a surprisingly large difference in creating a happier practice.
Many are familiar with Fear Free's research into soothing colours for animals, the ICC Cat Friendly Clinic programme, and the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme's emphasis on reducing stress through measures such as species separation. All are valuable measures that help improve the patient journey and reduce anxiety.
Through more than 30 years of designing exclusively for the animal care sector, ACD Projects has seen first-hand the crucial role that heating, ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems can play in patient wellbeing. This aligns with a growing body of evidence demonstrating the influence of environmental conditions on animal health and behaviour. A 2023 review of international research found that behavioural changes may represent some of the earliest indicators of physical discomfort or underlying health issues, while more recent studies have associated increased air pollution with higher rates of veterinary admission in companion animals.
With this in mind, indoor air quality (IAQ) should be established as a primary design criterion, with ventilation systems sized and specified to maintain appropriate air change rates, air cleanliness and thermal comfort throughout the facility. Unfortunately, cost-cutting measures in mechanical and electrical design can sometimes compromise ventilation performance, particularly in densely populated urban areas where restricted building footprints limit opportunities for natural airflow.
Good HVAC design is about far more than temperature control. Effective ventilation can help remove odours, reduce airborne contaminants, improve comfort and support healing, all of which may help reduce stress-related behaviours in animals.
Reducing stress within veterinary environments is not the result of a single design feature, but the cumulative effect of many thoughtful decisions. From intuitive layouts to hints of nature, every element plays a role in shaping a healthier environment. By considering these principles from the earliest stages of a project and giving plant and ventilation systems the attention they deserve, practices can create environments that are more comfortable for animals, more welcoming for clients and more effective for the teams who work within them.