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WSAVA appoints chair of new standards steering committee
“I am really looking forward to joining the WSAVA team” – Rochelle Low.
The committee will create a set of standards for companion animal practices.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced the chair of its newly established Standards Steering Committee.

Rochelle Low, global vice-president of veterinary quality and patient safety at Mars Veterinary Health, will take on the role.

The committee has been created to develop and launch the WSAVA's Essential Standards for Companion Animal Veterinary Practices (ESCAVP). These standards are intended to help companion animal veterinary practices to assess their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and access support resources.

Under Low’s leadership, the Standards Steering Committee will initially focus on identifying partner organisations that can contribute to the development and launch of the ESCAVP, and creating a practical project plan outlining key milestones and areas of focus.

In her role at Mars Veterinary Health, Dr Low has had responsibility of overseeing patient safety initiatives, addressing antimicrobial resistance, and leading the design and development of quality programmes and standards.

As well as holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, she has completed a Master of Applied Science in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality at Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Healthcare Leadership at Brown University.

Dr Low said: “I am excited and honoured to take on the role of chair of the Essential Standards Committee for WSAVA.

“Setting key standards for companion animal practice globally will make an important difference to our patients and the veterinary teams that care for them. I am really looking forward to joining the WSAVA team.”

Ellen van Nierop, WSAVA president, added: “Rochelle's proven track record of leadership and her dedication to veterinary medicine make her the ideal candidate to guide our efforts in implementing WSAVA’s Essential Standards for Companion Animal Veterinary Practices.”

Image © WSAVA

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.