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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th December 2022

Rabbit-friendly vet awards announces winners
Pictured: Dr Madonna Livingstone, Rabbit Vet of the Year 2022.
Full list of winners released by Burgess Excel.

The winners have been announced for the Burgess Excel Vet Awards, celebrating veterinary practices and professionals who improve the lives of the UK's pet rabbits and guinea pigs.

Comprised of veterinary professionals, industry experts and rabbit specialists, the judging panel selected one winner from each of the categories to receive a cash prize of £250 and a Burgess Excel Vet Awards trophy.

The winners are as follows:

Rabbit Vet of the Year

Winner - Dr Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge

Shortlisted
  •  Dr Amy Reynolds, Highcroft Vet Group, Bristol
  •  Dr Jenna Richardson, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
  •  Dr Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens
  •  Dr Heather Westron, Alma Veterinary Surgery, Scarborough

Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year

Winner - Abi Nell, Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn

Shortlisted
  •  Heidi Barringer, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
  •  Laura Chivers, Plymouth Veterinary Group, Plymouth  Sophie Enticknap, Vets4Pets, Hayling Island
  •  Emma Jeffrey, Galedin Vets, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year

Winner - Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff

Shortlisted
  •  Ashleigh Vets, Manchester
  •  Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
  •  Valley Exotics, Cardiff
  •  Westfield Vets, Wells

Rabbit Support Staff of the Year

Winner - Paiton Barker, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester

Shortlisted
  •  Jo Hambling, Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
  •  Khloe McNeill, Braid Vets, Edinburgh
  •  Carly Sedgemore, Bridges Vets, Cardiff
  •  Sophie Staniland, Valley Vet Hospital, Cardiff

Rabbit Student of the Year

Winner - Maria Jackson, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire

Shortlisted
  •  Joshua Sancho, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Campaign of the Year

Winner - Plymouth Vet Group, Plymouth

Shortlisted
  •  Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
  •  Medivet, Burton-on-Trent
  •  Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk

Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year

Winner - Holly House Vets, Leeds

Shortlisted
  •  Arun Vet Group, Chichester
  •  Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
  •  Westfield Vets, Wells
  •  Woodlands Veterinary Group, Ivybridge.


Winner of Rabbit Vet of the Year, Dr Madonna Livingstone, celebrated the achievement: “To have reached the finals again was fantastic, but to have actually won the award is completely overwhelming, especially considering how brilliant the other finalists are. 

“I am a firm believer that rabbits - and all other species - deserve the same high level of care as dogs and cats and knowing how many other veterinary professionals feel the same makes rabbits the ultimate winners every time!”

Abi Nell, Rabbit Nurse of the Year 2022, said: “I am really thrilled to have been chosen for this award. I love meeting and connecting with clients; being able to offer tips and advice for the best care for their rabbits is my favourite part of my job. 

“When a client calls the practice to ask for my advice instead of relying on an internet search, that is when I know I have really made an impact and developed a relationship with the pet owners.”

 

Image (C) Burgess Excel Vet Awards

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.