Cats Protection names first Vet of the Year
Dr Beynon (centre) with Bolu Eso (left) and Rory Cowlam (right).
Cats Protection has revealed the winner of its inaugural Vet of the Year award.
Richard Beynon, founder and director of Swansea Cat Clinic, was presented with the honour as part of the charity’s National Cat Awards ceremony on 18 September.
The award has been introduced by the welfare charity to recognise veterinary surgeons with ‘unwavering dedication, compassion and expert knowledge’. Dr Beynon was selected from eight other finalists to receive the title.
He was nominated for the award by one of his clients, Sarah Knight. When Ms Knight brought her cat, Solomon, to his practice, Dr Beynon’s cat-focused knowledge meant he was able to provide a diagnosis that had previously been elusive.
He was then selected to win by a panel including Cat Protection’s central veterinary officer Sarah Elliott, Blue Peter’s animal health expert Rory Cowlam and ITV’s Love Your Weekend’s Bolu Eso.
The award was presented to Dr Beynon as part of a ceremony at London’s One Marylebone on 18 September, hosted by novelist Dawn O’Porter.
Dr Elliott said: “The judging panel loved how Sarah described feeling so well supported by Richard during Solomon’s illness.
“Sarah said he was a hero! He really put her at ease and relieved a lot of the anxiety she was feeling around her beloved Solomon’s health problems. Sarah praised Richard for his ‘kindness, honesty, humour and professionalism’.
“We felt strongly that Richard’s compassion and dedication should be recognised with this very special award.”
Dr Beynon said: “It's amazing to be nominated for this award and I am truly humbled.
“This job is exceptionally hard. It’s difficult with some of the cases we have to manage and we’re not looking for recognition as vets but when it does come along, like this, it’s extremely flattering and I am so grateful.”
Image © Cats Protection
