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Blue Cross ‘Vet Nurse of the Year’ winner announced
Danielle receiving her award from Richard Casey and 2017 winner Fiona Leathers.
Award presented to RVNs that go the extra mile to improve pet welfare

Danielle Pountain of Pool House Veterinary Hospital, Lichfield, has won the Blue Cross ‘Vet Nurse of the Year’ award for going ‘above and beyond’ to help animals in need.

Danielle was presented with her award by Richard Casey, clinical development manager at Blue Cross, at the BVNA Congress in Telford, Shropshire. Her nominators praised her for her enthusiasm, extensive knowledge and experience, making her a role model for hard work and self-motivation.  

Commenting on her award, Danielle, a deputy head nurse, said: “I was overwhelmed to receive the call that I had been selected as the Blue Cross Vet Nurse of the Year. It felt like an unbelievable honour to have been considered worthy for an award for doing a job I love to do and I felt like being recognised for my achievements and contribution to veterinary nurses, validated all of my hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. I am grateful to everyone for giving me such a great title and award.”

Mr Casey said: “Danielle is a dedicated and passionate vet nurse who goes above and beyond to help pets in need. She is very highly qualified and is always seeking out the latest research evidence to support the animals in her care, as well as training the RVN’s of the future. Congratulations to Danielle who has truly earned this year’s award.”

The Blue Cross Vet Nurse of the Year award pays recognition to the country’s veterinary nurses and the support they give veterinary teams, pet owners and their animals. It is presented to a veterinary nurse who not only cares for sick and injured pets but goes the extra mile to encourage responsible pet ownership and improve pet welfare in the community.

Danielle was one of more than a hundred veterinary nurses nominated for this year’s award.

 

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.