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Police dog awards open for nominations
The charity has begun its search for the UK's bravest canine police.

Thin Blue Paw Awards celebrate serving and retired police dogs. 

Nominations have opened for the Thin Blue Paw Awards, celebrating the lives of working and retired police dogs.

Run by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which provides support for serving and retired police dogs across the UK, the awards highlight the dogs' work and achievements, and anyone who knows an inspiration police dog is encouraged to submit their story for consideration.

Kieran Stanbridge, Thin Blue Paw trustee and event organiser, commented: “Our inaugural awards last year were a huge success and we received more than 100 nominations for incredible dogs.

“It was an honour to meet the winners and hear their inspiring stories of heroism and dedication and we can’t wait to see this year’s nominations although we know it’ll be very difficult to choose just five winners again.”

The award categories are:

  • Outstanding Bravery – for a serving police dog who has shown extraordinary bravery in the line of duty.
  • Lifesaver – to celebrate a serving police dog whose work was invaluable in a life-threatening incident, for example locating a vulnerable missing person.
  • Crime Fighting Duo – for a serving police dog and handler team who are constantly achieving outstanding operational results.
  • Rising Star – to celebrate the achievements of a newly licensed serving police dog.
  • Lifetime Achievement – to celebrate a retired police dog who made an exceptional difference during their service.


Encourage people to submit a nomination, Kieran said: “If you know a dog handler or police dog who has shown outstanding bravery, has committed their life to fighting crime and keeping the public safe, or has gone the extra mile in the line of duty, please nominate them today!”

Nominations can be made on the Thin Blue Paw website, and will be open until 1 July 2022. The winners, selected by a panel of judges, will receive their awards at a special ceremony in September, with plenty of canine and human guests invited.

 

Image (C) Thin Blue Paw

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.