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Schoolgirl battles severe anxiety with help from her two kittens
Amy’s confidence and happiness slowly started to return as her bond with her new pets grew.

Rafiki and Zazu were adopted from the charity Mayhew

A young schoolgirl battling severe anxiety has had her life turned around by two rescue kittens.

Twelve-year-old Amy suffered a shattering loss of self confidence and severe anxiety after being bullied at school. Things eventually deteriorated so much that she was signed off school by her GP.

Amy’s mother Sophie felt helpless, with no idea how to turn things around. When her daughter was signed off school, it was a relief to have some respite from the bullying, but Sophie worried that Amy would spiral even further into worry and sadness if she was at home all day with no friends to interact with.

However, the family had recently adopted two kittens - Rafiki and Zazu - from the charity Mayhew. The pair quickly became Amy’s best friends, and a positive force in her life.

Amy’s confidence and happiness slowly started to return as her bond with her new pets grew. Her general mood was significantly improved and her panic and anxiety attacks became far less frequent.

Sophie said: “Amy was bullied at school, which led to her developing mental health issues including anxiety. She’d even suggested ending her own life, and it was a terrifying time for the family. Luckily, we had just adopted two rescue kittens from Mayhew, and when the doctors signed Amy off school, their bond just grew.

“The kittens gave Amy a reason to get up in the morning, and a reason to smile. She now laughs at their funny games and gives them cuddles; and she is already a much happier person all round. Having the kittens to love has made a huge difference to Amy’s mental health, and we are both so thankful to Mayhew, Rafiki and Zazu.”

Image © Mayhew
 

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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.