THE North Park Veterinary Group?s new surgery in Okehampton was opened last Friday by Mary Hindson, wife of one of the founder partners of the practice Jim Hindson. The new branch, which is on the Exeter Road Industrial Estate, will add to North Park?s existing surgeries in North Tawton and Hatherleigh and is aimed at providing a local and more convenient choice of veterinary care to new and existing clients in the Okehampton area. This development follows Roger Cunningham?s move to the firm last year as a partner and North Park?s growing workforce which now consists of 12 vets, a practice manager, three nurses and nine support staff. North Park provides a training facility for trainee vets and veterinary nurses and NVQ training is currently being undertaken by a substantial number of support staff. The company is closely involved in the community and provides work experience placements and NVQ training to students of Okehampton College and the area. The walls of the new surgery will display paintings by local artists with Shan Miller from Torrington and her artworks of sheep, pigs and other animals being featured at the moment.