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Inspirational speech from BVNA's new president
Fiona Andrew, Sam Morgan and Kirstie Sherman
(from left) Outgoing president Fiona Andrew, new president Sam Morgan and past president Kirstie Sherman.
Sam Morgan: "Know that what you have to say is important"

"Honoured is the first word I would use to describe this moment," said BVNA's new president, Sam Morgan, as she made her opening speech at congress this morning.

"That is quickly followed by some apprehension. Apprehension as I am treading in the footsteps of some amazing past presidents."

Seventeen years ago, when she attended her first BVNA Congress, she knew she wanted to be president.

Addressing members at today's AGM, she said: "I wanted to be, hopefully, an inspiration to others. I wanted to voice what I believed in and to play a small part in the future of the organisation and the veterinary nursing profession."

Sam's presidential theme is 'engagement' and, throughout her speech, she stressed the importance of BVNA's members: "We gain strength from our members. The more members we have, the louder our voice".

Over the next year, she hopes to encourage members to reach out to their organisation.

"I would like nothing more than for RVNs, students and support staff to know that BVNA is here to represent you," she said.

"To not be afraid to make your thoughts and feelings for the future of the profession heard. To know that what you have to say is important, even if you don't believe it is."

She urged members to speak to the BVNA, to get involved in consultations relating to the profession and to vote in BVNA Council and VN Council elections.

She closed her speech by making a number of presidential promises:
  • To serve BVNA members to the best of her ability
  • To speak up, as a voice of the veterinary nursing profession
  • To listen and be a voice for others' views, not just her own
  • To be a good team leader
  • To develop the BVNA
  • To try to inspire just one person to face a challenge and seek their reward

During her time with the BVNA so far, she said she has learnt: "the definition of success is to live your life with integrity, to not give in to peer pressure, to live with honesty and compassion and to contribute in many ways, no matter how big or small."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.