Belfast sweeps the board at NI Vet Nurse Awards
The winners receive their prizes. Left to right: Diane Young (BVNA regional co-ordinator NI), Louise Richards, Fiona Andrew, Melanie Sphan, Joanna Mcnally, Lesley O'Neill and Michelle Darby.
Lesley O'Neill of Braemar Veterinary Clinic in Belfast has been crowned winner of this years' Northern Ireland Veterinary Nurse of the Year award.
A veterinary nurse for 19 years, Lesley's colleagues described her as 'warm and empathetic, taking time to reassure clients their pet is in safe hands' and 'extending the same love and devotion to her own pets to the patients under her care.' Many of the pets Lesley owns were once homeless or lame animals whose lives she has since transformed. Lesley has also given up time to support and inspire trainee veterinary nurses on their journey towards qualification.
The Northern Ireland Veterinary Nurse Awards rely on nominations and are judged by BVNA president Fiona Andrew, Melanie Spahn - president of the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland, and Fiona Marjoram, representing the awards' sponsors.
The Northern Ireland Student Vet Nurse of the Year award went to Michelle Darby of Balmoral Veterinary Centre in Belfast for her dedication to animal care both inside the practice and out. Colleagues said that she has a 'natural gift' for handling animals and her 'happy and calm attitude brings a positive and relaxed atmosphere to the practice'. A fellow veterinary nurse praised Michelle saying: "I feel not only does Michelle learn from the veterinary surgeons and nurses, but we also learn from Michelle."
The Northern Ireland Veterinary Customer Care Representative of the Year award went to Alison Fletcher of Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic, also in Belfast. Alison gained the position as head of customer care after 20 years in veterinary nursing and practice. Colleagues said that her 'wealth of knowledge' and 'incredible memory for client and pet names' has proved invaluable and there is a genuine feeling that 'nothing is too much trouble for her.'
A special recognition award was given to Louise Richards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise's Greenmount Campus - the only centre in Northern Ireland to offer the veterinary nursing course approved by the RCVS. The judging panel decided that Louise deserved recognition for continually going above and beyond the call of duty in her capacity as a veterinary nursing instructor.
Commenting on the awards, Fiona Marjoram said: "We've always known that veterinary nurses are incredibly dedicated people, but these awards really bring it home and the extent of that dedication is often staggering. We are incredibly proud to be associated with these awards that celebrate the best of veterinary nursing in Northern Ireland and congratulate all the winners."
The winners received gift vouchers and trophies and were celebrated at the AVSPNI/BVNA Congress in May.
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.
