Veterinary Benevolent Fund president retires
Lydia became a director of the VBF in 2005 following a merger of the fund with the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme and the Vet Helpline.
Dr. Lydia Brown has completed her term as a president and director of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF) after serving the maximum of nine years as a member and trustee of the VBF Board.
Established in 1897, the VBF provides financial and other assistance to vets and their families. It is a charity run by volunteers from the veterinary profession to support colleagues in difficulty and promote well being.
Lydia became a director of the VBF in 2005 following a merger of the fund with the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme (VSHSP) and the Vet Helpline (VHL). Previous to this, she had been president of the RCVS and former chairman of the RCVS Trust.
VBF say that Lydia was the "driving force" behind the establishment of the VSHSP - an essential support programme which provides professional help for mental health problems, including drug and alcohol addiction. Since the start of the programme, she has been involved in the expansion of the helpline service from a telephone service to an increasingly-widely used email service.
In a press statement, the VBF said: "As a rest of Lydia's thoroughness, understanding and sympathy, very many veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses have now been helped to recover from many forms of addictive conditions and health problems. Her complete understanding and attention to detail have been greatly appreciated by all concerned with the services provided to less fortunate members of the profession."
Speaking at a lunch before the VBF Annual General Meeting, Lydia thanked all members of VBF. She gave special thanks to the directors and council members for the "time and energy they gave helping members of the veterinary profession and their families."
The VBF have wished Lydia well in her forthcoming retirement and are delighted that she will continue to be available to support the different sections of this vital veterinary charity.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
