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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

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."