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Relax with yoga for Mental Health Awareness Week
From yoga to meditation and even a virtual pub quiz - VetLife are hosting a series of fun activities to raise money for Mental Health Awareness Week.
VetLife to host a series of fun wellbeing activities over social media

Vets are being urged to pledge their support to Mental Health Awareness week by taking part in a series of virtual activities hosted by Vetlife.

Mental Health Week takes place 10-16 May and aims to encourage more people to talk about their mental health and reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking help. 

This year’s theme is nature, and organisers hope to showcase nature’s unique ability to comfort us during stressful times, but also its potential to increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. 

Throughout the week, Vetlife will be hosting an array of fun activities over social media to raise money for its support Helpline. Members of the profession are being asked to make a £5 donation and encourage five others to get involved.

The activities on offer include meditation with vet and professional yoga teacher Chloe Hannigan, a virtual pub quiz with Trustees Danny Chambers and Paul Horwood, and a yoga session led by vet and yoga teacher Sarah Guthrie. 

For those looking to get their bodies moving, trustee James Russell will also be hosting a fun Tabata workout session – a form of high-intensity training - with discussions about Vetlife and mental health throughout. 

Vetlife provides support to the veterinary community through its Helpline, Health support, and Financial Support services. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the whole profession, including veterinary nurses, students and non-clinical staff.

A Vetlife spokesperson said: “2020 was the busiest year on record for Vetlife, with 3,921 contacts made to our Helpline compared to 3,117 in 2019 – a 25 per cent increase. Many of the Helpline contacts made last year were linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Similarly, the Health Support service saw a record number of referrals in 2020; a total of 190 referrals were made, compared to 149 in 2019. This comes at a time when a decrease in income has put a strain on charity resources – so donations are more vital than ever.”

For more information, visit vetlife.org

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.