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VN student praised for going 'above and beyond' during pandemic
Rachel Liddell is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.

Rachel Liddell went out of her way to help her blind and deaf clients. 

A veterinary nursing student from Ayrshire has been praised for going 'above and beyond' during the coronavirus pandemic by helping humans as well as animals.

Twenty-year-old Rachel Liddell is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) while working at The Oaks Veterinary Centre in Saltcoats.

When a blind client had to have his guide dog put to sleep, Rachel – who was writing sympathy cards  – realised that he wouldn't be able to read the card if she sent one.

Wanting the client to receive a card that was personal that he could read, Rachel contacted the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and asked if they could make a brail insert to send in a card.

Rachel also extended her kindness to a deaf client who brought his dog in for vaccinations. Upon realising the client was deaf, she typed out what she wanted to say to the owner on a sign language app. When she took the dog back to the car park, she then signed an overview of the consultation.

Vet Sarah Lamont, who works with Rachel at The Oaks, said: “We have a lot of talented nurses at our practice but there is something very special about Rachel. She is far beyond her years in terms of her nursing skills but also has a special quality about her that you cannot teach.

“She goes above and beyond for people and I have noticed this even more so as we have been going through the challenges of Covid-19. She has offered to deliver medication and food to people who are shielding and can’t get out, even if this means doing it in her free time. Nothing is a bother to her.”

Rachel, who has been unable to sit her final exams due to Covid-19, said: “I have always been passionate about helping animals and being part of the first line of care. Veterinary nursing is so rewarding and being able to nurse a patient back to full health and return it to its family is an amazing feeling.

“I have really enjoyed being in practice and feeling part of a very close team as well as learning something new every day to further my knowledge and help each and every patient.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.