Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 1st June 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Border collie receives national devotion award
Val and Bonnie with PDSA senior vet Robert Newcombe.

Eight-year-old Bonnie saved her stranded owner from undergrowth 

A border collie that saved her stranded owner from being trapped in thick undergrowth has been awarded for her actions.

Val Smith was walking her dog, Bonnie, when she took a few wrong turns and found herself overwhelmed by brambles and weeds. Realising that Val couldn’t move, eight-year-old Bonnie fled to a nearby school to fetch help.

“I couldn’t move at all and planned to shout for help when the school nearby finished and the parents began gathering near the gates,” explained Val. “While I sat there, I worried that I would never see Bonnie again.”

Teaching assistants Veronica Ffoulkes and Becky Zessimides from Widey Court Primary School were out on their lunch break when they encountered Bonnie.

“Bonnie was distressed and trying to get our attention. She circled us, barking and looking very fractious,” said Veronica. “Becky has a dog and could tell that something was wrong so she bent down, fussed Bonnie and said ‘show me’.

“Bonnie darted off and we chased after her into the woods. We followed Bonnie for some time until we saw Snoopy at the bottom of a bank. We climbed up into the thick woodland, where we found Val.”

Val said: “The two ladies helped me up and gave me a big hug, as they could see how frightened I was. If it weren’t for Bonnie, goodness knows how long I’d have been stuck there.”

Bonnie has now been given a prestigious PDSA Commendation award for her actions and loyalty to her owner. The award recognises the outstanding devotion that animals display and celebrate the incredible way they enrich our lives.

Bonnie received her award at a special ceremony at the charity’s Pet Hospital, The Gwen Rees Centre, which Val regularly attends.

PDSA senior vet Robert Newcombe, who made the presentation to Bonnie, said: “At PDSA, we know only too well the amazing impact that pets have on our lives.

“Bonnie was a true hero that day, coming to Val’s aid when she had nobody else to turn to. Her actions deserve special recognition and I am thrilled to present Bonnie with PDSA’s prestigious Commendation award.”

Image (C) PDSA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.