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Veterinary nurse honoured for exceptional achievement
Louise O'Dwyer
Louise O’Dwyer received the award in honour of her pioneering role in veterinary nursing.

Bestowed with the RCVS Golden Jubilee Award
 
A veterinary nurse from Wigan has been crowned winner of the RCVS Golden Jubilee Award - an honour presented to one veterinary nurse each year in recognition of exceptional achievement.

Louise O’Dwyer received the award in honour of her pioneering role in veterinary nursing, acting as the first veterinary nurse clinical director within the CVS Group and the first UK veterinary nurse to be voted on to the US-based Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technician’s Board.

Miss O’Dwyer has also lectured across the globe and volunteered for several years at the Bella Moss Foundation, worked on a variety of BSAVA Committees, contributed to over 35 journal and magazine articles, and written three nursing textbooks.

Fellow veterinary nurse Kathryn Latimer, who nominated Louise for the award, said: “I feel Louise is a shining example of everything the Golden Jubilee Award encompasses – she has demonstrated exception abilities as a leader, not only to veterinary nurses, but to veterinary surgeons... [and] has demonstrated personal commitment to her personal education, and therefore to patient care, by pursuing a remarkable range of qualifications.”
 
Miss O’Dwyer says: “Nursing is about making your mark, about being there for your patients, and for me that’s what my career has been about. It’s a bit of a cliché, but we really are the voice of our patients, and so when people ask me ‘why do you spend so much time with getting extra qualifications?’, it’s really about making sure I’m better able to help my patients.
 
“As I get older it’s also about educating the next generation of veterinary nurses, helping to train them to do the same and to spread our knowledge and training. Our training is something British vet nurses can really be proud of, and it’s humbling to receive this Award when I know just how many other dedicated, passionate vet nurses are out there, but I am truly grateful that the RCVS, and my colleagues, think that I am a worthy recipient.”

The Golden Jubilee Award relaunched in 2015 to make it more leadership-focused and exclusive to veterinary nurses. It is awarded to members of the profession that actively demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment to veterinary nursing and play an ambassadorial role.

Miss O’Dwyer will be presented with the Golden Jubilee Award at RCVS Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Day - on Friday 15 July.

Image (C) RCVS/Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.