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.
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

Owner of heroic army dog to run London Marathon
Lou is running for thousands of pets, like Mali, who play a vital role in filling their owners’ lives with joy and companionship.

Lou Hackney is hoping to raise vital funds for the PDSA 

A charity worker and owner of the only living recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal, is running this year’s London Marathon to raise vital funds for the PDSA.

Lou Hackney, 49, works as a veterinary support manager at the charity. She is tackling the gruelling 26.2 mile course on 28 April. In honour of her dog Mali, a retired British military working dog that came to live with her 15 months ago.

Mali, a nine-year-old Belgian malinois, received the prestigious Dickin Medal after saving the lives of troops in Afghanistan. During his tenure he aided a highly sensitive operation to secure an enemy stronghold. He indicated the presence of insurgents on numerous occasions and was twice sent through direct fire to search for explosives.

Talking about Mali, Lou said: “He joined our family shortly after I lost my mum to cancer and was just the distraction I needed after experiencing such loss. He filled a massive gap in our lives and it’s like we’ve had him for ever. I can’t imagine our home without him now.

“We feel proud and extremely lucky to have him. When he’s lying on his back stretching with his legs in the air I look at him and think what an extraordinary, brave, beautiful dog you are and we will do all we can to keep him happy and healthy in the years he has left.”

She is running for thousands of pets, like Mali, who play a vital role in filling their owners’ lives with joy and companionship.

In the course of her work, she said she sees “day-in, day-out the life saving work that takes place” at the PDSA’s pet hospitals across the UK.

She is hoping to raise £1,900 for the charity as part of her marathon and will also hold a secret auction and finishing time sweepstake to help raise the funds.

The charity’s fundraising manager, Amy Wareing-Reid, said: “Lou’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital, life-saving vet treatment they need and we’re so proud that she’s taken on such gruelling training on top of her busy life. We’ll be cheering Lou and the rest of Team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support her too.”

Visit Lou’s JustGiving page to donate.

Image © PDSA

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

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.