THE Mansfield Veterinary Clinic has recently received their Australian Small Animal Veterinarians Hospital of Excellence award.

The accreditation acknowledges vet practices that “achieve the highest level of animal health care and practice management in innovative state-of-the-art hospital facilities”.

Practice owner and veterinarian Dr Sally Rekers said her team was thrilled with the recognition.

“We have always had a really high standard of care, but we’ve been working towards this award for many years,” she explained,

“There is a really rigorous criteria and our team have done an exceptional job."

Dr Rekers said a family connection made the award "particularly special".

“In 1991, my father Peter Cullen also received hospital accreditation for his clinic Whitehorse Veterinary Hospital in Blackburn,” she said.

"The scheme was quite new then, and they were about the seventh to receive the award."

Dr Rekers said she was exceptionally proud of her team and expressed her gratitude towards the entire community.

“A big thank you to all our clients, because that’s who we do it for.”