X Factor
star BenMills gives a high five to
Magic the collie at the re-opening of Barton Veterinary
Surgery

Former X Factor star Ben Mills
cut the ribbon on Sunday to mark the re-opening of Barton
Veterinary Surgery and Hospital in Canterbury after its £1m
refurbishment.

The work started in January this
year and was finished four weeks ahead of schedule.
It includes a new top-floor extension at the back of the
building for a cattery, conference room, isolation rooms and a
laboratory.

On the ground floor, a larger,
brighter reception area greets visitors and their pets, while two
new operating theatres, an X-ray room and 24-hour consultation
rooms have also been fully kitted out.

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Watch Ben Mills provide a
musical background to the opening of the new facilities.

Veterinary surgeon Chris Reichmann
admits the changes mean they can carry out more specialist
treatments.

He said: "When it first opened, it
was one of the first surgeries in the country to be recognised as a
hospital and the only one in Canterbury.

"Now, this complete refurbishment
will bring us up to scratch."

Out-of-hours emergency care is also
available at the surgery, thanks to national provider Vets Now.

Ben Mills and his band provided
musical entertainment at the afternoon party, where children were
able to enjoy a bouncy castle, face painting and balloon
modelling.

Visitors had the chance to take a
guided tour of the new-look site.