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Search and rescue dog honoured for outstanding devotion
The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset.

Border collie Charlie receives PDSA Order of Merit

A Dorset search and rescue dog, who amassed thousands of search hours during his 10-year career, has been presented with the PDSA Order of Merit, also known as the ‘animal’s OBE’.

Border collie Charlie, together with his volunteer handler Matt Cooke, posthumously received the honour for outstanding devotion to duty and service to society.

Charlied retired in 2015, enjoying a full and happy retirement until he passed away in December 2017. Among his most notable work includes locating a murder victim buried in a large field, which led to a conviction. 

Charlie also located an elderly lady who had been missing for 14 hours in freezing temperatures. Police and ambulance crews reported that had Charlie not found her when he did, she wouldn't have survived.

The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, on Tuesday (15 October). Charlie
is the 32nd recipient of the award since its institution in 2014.

PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are pleased to announce Charlie as the latest recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit. Although we’re saddened that he was unable to receive his honour during his lifetime, we hope that Matt and his colleagues at Dorset Search Dogs see it as a fitting tribute to his incredible career.
 
“Our Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society. Charlie’s long and dedicated career epitomises the reason we must continue our Founder’s tradition of honouring the contribution animals make to our lives.
 
“The PDSA Order of Merit was introduced to recognise animals for their exceptional devotion to duty and service to society. Charlie was a truly exceptional animal and an incredibly worthy recipient of this medal.”

Image (C) PDSA.

 

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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.