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Blue Cross VN of the Year
BVNA President Donna Lewis with Wendy Adams, Blue Cross veterinary clinical advisor and Nicola Ackerman. Photo courtesy of the BVNA.
The Blue Cross animal charity has presented its Veterinary Nurse of the Year award to Nicola Ackerman for her commitment to improving animal welfare, both within her veterinary practice and among the local community in Plymouth, Devon.

The award was presented during BVNA Congress in Kettering, Northamptonshire by Jill Robinson, founder of the Animals Asia Foundation, and Wendy Adams, Blue Cross veterinary clinical advisor.

Wendy Adams said: "The Veterinary Nurse of the Year award is a chance for The Blue Cross to applaud the hard work and dedication of vet nurses in the UK. Particularly those who extend their reach to voluntary and community work to promote responsible pet ownership and animal care. We congratulate Nicola for winning this year’s award!”

Nicola was nominated for the award by veterinary nurses at The Veterinary Hospital Group surgery in Plymouth, and her husband Chris.

Hanno Payne, practice manager at The Veterinary Hospital said: "We are delighted that Nicola's commitment to animal welfare has been recognised by winning this award. Nicola spends a tremendous amount of time and effort organising events locally to promote preventative health care for pets and educate the public at large. She was instrumental in getting the educational ‘Pets in the Park’ initiative up and running and Nicola is always the first to volunteer for career talks and showing groups of youngsters around the hospital. Nicola is also keen to foster closer working relationships with other veterinary practices and their veterinary nurses in the wider Plymouth area and has created 'clinical clubs' for that to be possible.”

Commenting on her award, Nicola said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out I had won this award and has taken quite a while to sink in. I’d like to say a huge thank-you to my colleagues, and of course my husband, who nominated me. I wouldn’t be able to do the work I do without the strong support of my colleagues and family. I love my job and I’m lucky enough to work in such a forward thinking practice that allows vet nurses to undertake the work they are trained for.”

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.