Vetoquinol UK has launched Dolpac®, its new wormer for dogs. Dolpac® is a broad spectrum anthelmintic for dogs containing pyrantel, oxantel and praziquantel. Individually these ingredients are effective against individual worm species and the combination of all three provides specific activities against the most common roundworm and tapeworm species. According to the company, clinical studies carried out in accordance with internationally recognised guidelines have shown that Dolpac® provides an excellent ability to reduce parasitic infection. "Dolpac® offers vets and their clients an easy to use worming alternative at an affordable price," explains Mark Leddy, Vetoquinol's Marketing Department Manager. "Our aim is to help to increase the number of dog owners worming their pets at the correct frequency, which will not only protect their dogs, but their children as well. We have introduced a number of features to help achieve this objective, there are three tablet sizes to cover all weight ranges and the tablets are flavoured and easy to give, and there are dispensing envelopes in every pack. We also provide a dosing wall chart and a client worming guide." For more information, contact your Vetoquinol representative or visit the Dolpac website, http://www.dolpac.co.uk/, which offers information for both vets and clients.
The Blue Cross is offering a lifeline to even more needy pets across the UK following an extension to its successful veterinary grant scheme.
Relaunched as "The Blue Cross Veterinary Care Fund", the charity has increased available funding and doubled the maximum grant it will pay towards veterinary costs of a particular treatment, operation or neutering procedure if the owner can't afford it.
The initiative was first launched in 2005 to help pet owners on low incomes who do not live near Blue Cross hospitals or clinics. So far the charity has awarded thousands of grants through 1,100 veterinary practices, 28% of all private vets in the UK. The demand from needy pets around the country prompted The Blue Cross to increase the maximum grant to £200 towards the veterinary treatment costs.
Pet owners must be on a means tested benefit or state pension with no other income to be eligible for support through the Veterinary Care Fund. Those on a very low income may also be eligible for the grant and should contact The Blue Cross for further advice.
The charity is also opening a new veterinary welfare clinic on 3 June 2008. The clinic, based at the animal adoption centre in Tiverton, will carry out basic procedures such as microchipping and vaccinations, and treat minor ailments. More serious or complicated cases will be referred to a local veterinary practice where treatment will be subsidised by The Blue Cross.
For more information about the Veterinary Care Fund or how clients can apply please contact The Blue Cross customer care team on 01993 825593 or email info@bluecross.org.uk
BBC Entertainment is looking for fresh veterinary talent to be part of an exciting new show that it is developing. If you know a vet that is passionate about pet health and would jump at the chance to help animals on screen, please get them to call 0161 244 3718 as soon as possible or alternatively email alexis.price@bbc.co.uk
Hill's Pet Nutrition has launched a new website - www.hillsweightloss.co.uk - featuring the company's weight management programme to help address the UK's spiralling pet obesity epidemic.
Nearly 50 per cent of pets are obese or overweight and the company hopes that the site will act as a valuable support tool for vets, providing clients with an interactive, tailored weight loss and exercise programme to follow with their cat or dog.
The website also includes a series of animated illustrations and videos to demonstrate how to check a pet's Body Condition Score (BCS) by feeling its ribs along with feeding and exercise hints and tips.
To help keep pet owners motivated, the site features a weekly weight loss programme email newsletter consisting of additional support, handy tips and helpful reminders.
Libby Sheridan, veterinary affairs manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition, comments: "Obesity in animals is soaring and the new website is a useful and effective support tool which advises on both diet and exercise regimes and helps keep owners and their pets on track to reach their target weight."
Hill's Pet Nutrition's pet foods to aid and maintain weight loss include Hill's Prescription Diet w/d, m/d and r/d, which has recently been reformulated. In a recent trial, dogs fed Prescription Diet r/d lost 22 per cent of their body fat in eight weeks. Hill's Science Plan Light can also help pets prone to weight gain. Science Plan NeuteredCat is formulated to meet the needs of cats that have been neutered as they are significantly different in their energy needs.
New research carried out by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association on behalf of National Pet Month has provided an insight into the latest pet purchasing trends in the UK:
Kruuse has launched the "ByoFresh" range of canine deodorising and disinfecting products. Winner of Pets at Home's "Best New Product of the Year 2007" and Highly Commended at Glee Pet Index 2007, Kruuse says this is a range of products that will help with the age old problem of "smelly dogs".
All of the products contain Byotrol, a patented new anti-microbial ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection against most common micro-organisms and has already been successfully used in the human health sector.
Byotrol is the first veterinary anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal agent, tested to British Standards EN 1676 and 1677, to be used in canine deodorising products. These tests are supported by veterinary supervised trials on over 100 dogs at nine independent practices.
"We see tremendous potential for the ByoFresh range in veterinary practice for veterinary surgeons, nurses and clients alike", commented Andrew Groom, Country Manager of Kruuse UK." Not only do these products help resolve a real problem, they're competitively priced to support all customers' requirements.
CEVA Animal Health's household flea products, Staykill, Acclaim and Skoosh, will soon have helped fight the 5 millionth household flea infestation in the UK.
In order to preserve the historic 5 millionth can for future generations, CEVA would like to offer £1,000 to buy it back from which ever veterinary practice orders it.
In addition, the (rather over-excited) household flea team at CEVA are in such a celebratory mood, they are also awarding 49 luxury chocolate hampers to practices ordering the 49 cans either side of the momentous 5 millionth can.
For further information or to make the most of the latest special offers, call the Flea Fighters Hotline on 01494 781510.
Novartis Animal Health is launching a new range of practice support materials to help raise owner awareness about skin conditions like atopic dermatitis.
"It's vitally important, in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis, to make clients aware that not all pruritus is caused by fleas," said Agnes Delauche, Senior Brand Manager at Novartis.
"Our new range of literature will help front of house staff to educate owners and engage them more readily in this healthcare topic, particularly when handing over repeat prescriptions for flea treatments. The waiting room displays may also prompt owners to recognise itchiness in their pet, associate it with the signs and then ask the vet for advice."
When a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis has been made, practices need to act swiftly and outline a treatment plan with owners. Research carried out by Novartis found that 86 per cent of owners whose dogs were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were frustrated with the condition. In addition, 44 per cent of owners left their original veterinary surgeon in search of a solution for their dog's atopy. "It can be a long and exasperating problem for both the dog and the owner, therefore, it's critical that vets provide a timely diagnosis and effective treatment regime," concludes Dr Delauche. "Hopefully, our new literature will provide practices with the necessary support materials for owners. It provides treatment timescales and reiterates that atopic dermatitis cannot be controlled overnight."
Alongside the waiting room poster and owner leaflets, the company has also developed an informative website for owners http://www.itchfree.co.uk/.
For copies of the new materials, contact your local Novartis Territory Manager or ring 01276 694402.
Hill's Pet Nutrition has launched Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare, formulated to manage both struvite and oxalate urinary stones. It's appropriate for cats with feline idiopathic cystitis, which accounts for an estimated 64% of all FLUTD cases. The new diet replaces x/d, which will be discontinued.
According to Hill's, a significant benefit is that c/d contains no excess salt and therefore presents no risk to cats that have hidden kidney disease. Libby Sheridan, Veterinary Affairs Manager, said: "It's something that is always at the back of our minds when cats have shown signs of urinary tract problems: has there been damage to the kidneys that I can't yet detect? We need to be cautious when it comes to managing urinary disease in cats. Limiting salt with careful diet formulation and therefore avoiding potentially worsening compromised kidneys is important in long term management."
Feline c/d Multicare contains controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and oxalate to reduce the constituents of crystals and calculi, added citrate to reduce stone formation and enhanced levels of B6 specifically to decrease the risk of oxalate formation. Increases in omega-3 fatty acids help ensure that the inflammatory response is ameliorated, which is particularly important in the management of feline idiopathic cystitis.
Hills continue to recommend s/d for dissolution of struvite calculi and k/d in cases of feline urate calculi. Feline urinary disease is, of course, a condition that requires long term intervention to guard against recurrence and c/d Multicare is available in a variety of flavours and formats, including tender chunks in gravy pouches, 156 g tins and dry in chicken and ocean fish varieties, ensuring there is a enough choice to satisfy the most discerning of cats.
For more information call Hill's Customer Service on 0800 282 438 or (ROI) 1-800 626002.
From June 2008, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) will be introducing a Graduate Diploma in Professional and Clinical Veterinary Nursing tailored to the needs of practicing nurses.
Detailed market research of nurses working in practice has shown a high demand for the course. From those surveyed via a questionnaire, 63% said they are interested in the Diploma course on a part-time basis over a 2 year period. With regards to how nurses wish to study, 83% of respondents confirmed their interest in distance/online learning.
The programme is aimed at veterinary nursing practitioners who wish to develop higher level professional and clinical veterinary nursing skills with emphasis on critical thinking by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. It is a distance learning programme whereby students will learn via the College's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Programme Director Perdi Welsh explains: "As this is a post-qualification award the nursing practitioners who would benefit from it are already in work. Therefore the course needs to be flexible to fit around their busy lives and their commitment to their employer.
"E-learning provides an ideal mode of study for qualified veterinary nurses wishing to advance their knowledge and skills. Distance learning means that students do not have to take time off work and travel to attend regular sessions at college."
Modules are hosted within the RVC Virtual Learning Environment, where students have access to course material, will participate in group discussion, carry out on-line tasks and collaborate with a small group of other students enrolled on the module to share experiences.
For more information call 01707 666660, email vnschool@rvc.ac.uk or log onto www.rvc.ac.uk/VNdiploma
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has announced the initial results of an on-line BVNA awareness and opinion survey of the members of this website, conducted in February this year.
The survey attracted nearly 1000 responses, mainly from VNs working in small animal practices, 49% of whom were already BVNA members.
Results from the survey included:
BVNA President, Clare Fraser, said: 'It's easy for us who are actively involved in the BVNA to know about the benefits of membership, but we felt we needed to canvas the views of VNs in the UK and overseas to gain a broader picture on the perception of our organisation.'
'For example, although annual, quarterly or monthly direct debit payments for annual membership fees have been available for the past eleven years, 30 per cent were not aware of this. The monthly direct debit cost for a full member is only £3.91', explained Claire.
'Nearly a third of respondents mentioned CPD has a benefit of BVNA membership, and we expect this number to increase, as voluntary regulation now requires every registered VN to undertake a minimum of 45 hours of CPD over a three-year period.
'Interestingly, 20 per cent of respondents thought they are not eligible to join the BVNA, for reasons such as they currently reside outside the UK, or they are not registered VNs. In fact, membership is open to anyone in the UK or overseas, and there are different levels of membership, including British trained VNs, VN students, and associate members who work in jobs allied to the veterinary profession but are not actually VNs.
'We greatly value the feedback from members and non-members alike, and thank everyone who has taken part', added Claire, 'but we still welcome more views and suggestions to ensure that we continue to accurately represent VNs in the future'.
Winners of the 2008 Petplan Veterinary Awards, which recognise and applaud staff and practices for their outstanding excellence and service, will feature on Natasha Kaplinsky's Channel Five news slot from tonight at 5:00pm, and then again at 7:00pm.
Tonight's news will cover the story of the Veterinary Practice of the Year: Orwell Veterinary Group, and there'll be more coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday as follows:
Tuesday 13th May 5pm & 7pm - Vet of the Year - Brian Faulkner of the Melton Veterinary Surgery
Wednesday 14th May 5pm & 7pm - Vet Nurse of the Year - Louisa Baker of the Priors Leaze Veterinary Centre.
Should be great publicity for the profession, and it is difficult to achieve this sort of thing, so hats off to Petplan.
Petplan has launched PetPeople, billed as the largest circulation pet focussed customer magazine.
In the first issue, animal behaviourist and QVN Vicky Hall looks at the relationship between women and their cats, and suggests that overbearing relationships are leading cats to display inappropriate behaviour.
Petplan policy holders will receive PetPeople magazine twice a year. Each issue will provide expert help from leading vets, behaviourists and dieticians, plus insightful, and very often humorous, feature stories on everything from the perfect pet-friendly garden to dispelling the ‘mad cat lady' myth.
The first issue has a distribution of 600,000 and will be sent free to veterinary practices. Suzanne Murray, channel manager for Petplan, believes the diverse content of the magazine will make it a welcome addition to vet practice waiting rooms, and staff rooms. She said: ‘We are proud that so many outstanding contributors agreed to work on the first issue, including dog-loving travel writer Gavin Bell. It's also rewarding to have content from the many charities we support and from our pet-loving clients."
For further information about the magazine, email: petpeople@petplan.co.uk
The RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses Incorporating the Register of Veterinary Nurses 2008 is now available. This is the first time that the publication distinguishes between Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses, following the introduction of the non-statutory Register in September 2007.
The publication includes 4,808 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs), although the figure continues to rise and is currently around the 5,000 mark. The data used in the List/Register is correct as of 10 March 2008. It is possible to check the most up-to-date information on RCVSonline: www.rcvs.org.uk/vnlist
RVNs indicate a willingness to be accountable for their professional practice, by following the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, and keeping their skills up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development.
Only Registered Veterinary Nurses are able to use the letters RVN after their name. Veterinary Nurses who have not yet registered and would like to, should contact the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Department for a transfer pack: 020 7202 0788 and vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk. Transfer is free of charge.
"I look forward to seeing the RVN section of the publication increasing in size year on year, as veterinary nurses signal to the public and their colleagues that they wish to be recognised as accountable professionals," commented Andrea Jeffery, Chairman of the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council.
The publication has been posted to all Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Nursing Approved Centres. It is also available to purchase from RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/publications).
Just over 17% of the RCVS membership voted in the Council elections - which the RCVS reports is consistent with previous turn-outs.
New faces on the RCVS Council include Richard Stephenson, Charles Gruchy and Catherine Goldie. Dr Barry Johnson (first elected to Council in 1985) and Dr Christopher Chesney (first elected in 1996) have been voted on for further terms. Dr Robert Ellis, who has had three previous periods on Council, has been re-elected.
Meanwhile about 9% of registered and listed veterinary nurses cast their vote in the VN Council elections. At 680, the number of votes was up 100 on last year, but the turnout remains disappointing low. Dot Creighton, current Vice-Chairman, will continue on Council for another term, and Katherine Kissick has been newly-elected.
The Company of Animals, makers of behaviour and training products, has announced the launch of a new Product and Training DVD, designed to be screened in practice waiting rooms.
The DVD features the entire range of products from Company of Animals, including its multi-award-winning dog training devices, being demonstrated by pet dogs and their owners. It is presented by Animal Psychologist and founder of The Company of Animals, Dr. Roger Mugford.
The Company of Animals says that playing the DVD during opening hours will grab the attention of your customers, raise their awareness of already popular products, and educate them about new ones.
This DVD is free and available to all veterinary retailers. To order the DVD or for more information see: http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/
Purina Veterinary Diets has launched Feline Urinary UR ST/OXTM to provide highly advanced nutritional support in the veterinary treatment and long term management of FLUTD.
Purina says that Feline Urinary UR ST/OXTM will help vets nutritionally support the management of three conditions most frequently associated with FLUTD in just one formula: dissolve struvite crystals, reduce the recurrence of both struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths and help treat feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).
According to the company, the most advanced scientific methods of evaluation have been used to determine the efficacy of Feline UR ST/OXTM, namely Activity Product Ratio (APR) and Relative Super Saturation (RSS) techniques. Rarely used, except in human science, APR is a dynamic and highly sensitive parameter. It is a more vigorous test than RSS and reflects more precisely the in vivo situation.
RSS assesses the likelihood of urolith formation by using measurements of urine pH, volume and mineral concentration. Urine APR goes further and calculates the ratio of urinary measurements before and after urine incubation with pure crystals (struvite or calcium oxalate.) APR is therefore able to more accurately predict the crystal evolution by assessing the cumulative influence of urine crystal growth promoters and inhibitors. Feline UR ST/OXTM is the first diet evaluated using both these parameters together. The results of the evaluation demonstrate a rapid dissolution for struvite and a reduction of recurrence for both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
FLUTD has a number of known risk factors including insufficient water intake and obesity. To date, the only interventions that have been repeatedly shown to increase water intake and urine volume are dietary modifications. In the management of FLUTD, raising water intake has three key benefits to decrease the concentration of various urolith-forming components in the urine, dilute inflammatory mediators and shorten the contact time of irritating substances with the bladder mucosa. Feline UR ST/OXTM dry formula has been shown to increase water intake by up to 20%, increase urine volume by up to 40% and consequently decrease urine specific gravity to below 1.045.
Feline UR ST/OXTM has also been specifically developed with moderate fat levels and optimal protein to help achieve and maintain ideal body condition thereby tackling obesity, another predisposing factor for FLUTD. With an exceptionally palatable formula, this new diet is available in both a wet and dry form.
Purina Veterinary Diets Feline Urinary UR ST/OXTM is available in the following pack sizes - 1.5 and 5kg and 195gr cans.
Miss Davies faced four charges:
Miss Davies made no admissions to any of the charges.
Miss Davies wrote to the College prior to the hearing stating that she would not be attending and she was not represented.
The Committee found all charges bar one proved.
Charge 1a, relating to the anaesthesia increase, was found not proved due to lack of evidence.
In deciding on whether the proven facts amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee took into account the aggravating factor that all charges caused risk of injury to an animal or human.
There were no mitigating factors.
The Committee found that Miss Davies’ conduct indicated an unwillingness and inability to act according to the veterinary surgeons’ instructions/directions.
It noted that Miss Davies acted on at least seven occasions contrary to the instructions given or without seeking direction or authorisation, despite her position within the surgical team.
It also found that Miss Davies had breached multiple areas of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, including the Code obligations that veterinary nurses must make animal health and welfare their first consideration when attending to animals and that veterinary nurses must communicate with veterinary surgeons and each other to ensure the health and welfare of the animal or group of animals.
It therefore found that, with the exception of administering intermittent positive-pressure ventilation without direction or authorisation, the remaining proved facts amounted to serious professional misconduct.
The Committee then went on to consider the most appropriate and proportionate sanction.
In doing so, it took into account aggravating and mitigating factors.
Aggravating factors included that the conduct was sustained over a period of approximately eight months and took place during four separate surgical procedures, and that Miss Davies posed a risk to animals on each occasion.
The Committee considered that there were a number of mitigating factors including the fact that Miss Davies had been on the Register of Veterinary Nurses since 17 January 2006 with no previous disciplinary findings against her, positive testimonials from a colleague working with Miss Davies at the time of the incidents, and the fact that Miss Davies had expressed some remorse in a letter regarding her conduct in relation to charges 3 and 4.
Colin Childs, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee found that the charges represented a serious departure from the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and also that there was evidence that Miss Davies had put her own interests before the health and welfare of animals either by not following the instructions of veterinary surgeons or by acting unilaterally, in relation to the administration of medicines or the placement of a catheter or feeding tube during four surgical procedures.
“Since the Committee could not assess Miss Davies’ future risk or her insight in her absence, it therefore decided that removal was the only proportionate sanction because any other sanction would not protect animals or the public in the future without those matters having been adequately assessed.
Such a sanction also met the wider public interest.
“The Committee therefore directed that the Registrar remove Miss Davies from the Register of Veterinary Nurses.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
The procedure, called transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), is a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery.
TEER is performed on a beating heart using a specially designed “V-Clamp” device which brings the mitral valve leaflets together, reducing the severity of mitral regurgitation.
The procedure is guided by real-time 3D echocardiography and performed via a small thoracotomy, typically 6–8 cm in length.
CVS, which owns Bristol Vet Specialists, says dogs undergoing TEER generally experience a rapid recovery, with most discharged within 48 hours and minimal need for intensive care.
The company says that once heart failure is diagnosed, the average survival time is between nine and 12 months, but that after TEER surgery, 95% of dogs are discharged successfully, and 85% survive for two years post surgery.
The procedure costs £12,000.
http://www.bristolvetspecialists.co.uk
This, says the company, highlights a missed opportunity for earlier cancer detection, which in turn limits the ability of veterinary teams to improve medical outcomes for their patients.
243 veterinary professionals took part in the survey, most of whom HT Vista says were general practitioners.
On average, they reported seeing 13.5 dermal and subcutaneous masses per vet per week, less than six of which lead to a diagnosis.
HT Vista says around 15% of these lumps will be malignant.
Veterinary oncologist Gillian Dank said: “Every week, thousands of dogs leave practices with undiagnosed masses.
"While many are benign, others are malignant, and delaying diagnosis can mean lost treatment opportunities and poorer prognoses.”
The number one reason why respondents said they don't test more widely is the assumption that a mass is benign by its gross characteristics, followed by owner concerns around cost, time constraints during consultations, and limited access to in-house cytology.
Vista HT Chief Commercial Officer Asher Fink and Managing Director Liron Levy-Hirsch will be presenting “20 dogs in your waiting room with lumps and bumps – how do you spot the 3 with cancer?" at the London Vet Show on 20th November from 1–1:50pm in Exhibitor Showcase Theatre 2
https://info.ht-vet.com/lump-and-bump-survey-results
https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/continuing-education/syllabus/lesson/cracking-code-lumps-bumps-fast-efficient-diagnosis-everyday-practice
https://london.vetshow.com/conference-programme-2025/session-title-coming-soon-38
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
Brainchild of Tom Towey MRCVS, an ECC clinician, the new service allows vets to upload case details, including the level of urgency, and then browse the referral centres that can meet the need, listed by the distance to the practice or to the client and the level of expertise available (eg. Specialist / Advanced Veterinary Practitioner).
The vet then selects the ones that look interesting, presses submit, and the request is sent on their behalf.
The referral practices they've contacted can then reply with their estimate for the procedure and details of when they can see the case.
The owner is notified about each new estimate and can decide which to accept.
When they do, the referral clinic then calls the owner to make an appointment.
Tom highlights part of the Competition and Markets Authority provisional report which says:
"10.16: Our provisional view is that, in a well-functioning market, where multiple referral providers are available and clinically appropriate, we would expect pet owners to be made aware that they can choose a referral provider and to be able to access information about those providers including the nature of the treatment, the skills and experience of the referral vet, the availability of appointments, and, in many cases, the likely cost."
Tom's new service seems to fit the bill precisely.
www.rapidreferrals.co.uk
The bundle includes:
To be in with a chance of winning, take the Lec Medical voucher from the Vet Show voucher book to stand T64.
https://www.lec-medical.co.uk/en-gb
The awards are an opportunity to acknowledged unsung heroes within the veterinary profession, celebrating those who have made significant contributions to veterinary science, research, clinical practice, education and the welfare of small animals.
The award categories are:
Nominations are welcome from both BSAVA members and non-members.
Nominations will close on 9th January 2026 and the winners will be announced in February 2026.
Adam Gow, BSAVA Honorary Secretary said: “Each year, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on individuals who have truly made a difference in our profession.
"Nominating a colleague is a meaningful way to show appreciation and celebrate the impact they’ve had, so we encourage everyone to get involved and put forward those who inspire them.”
https://www.bsava.com/awards
The installation is a collaboration between Vet Sustain and IVC Evidensia, supported by MSD Animal Health.
Laura Gelder-Robertson, CEO of Vet Sustain, said: “We want to show the best of what already exists within veterinary sustainability, to bring to life the business benefits for veterinary teams in a really hands-on, practical way that people can touch and feel and relate back to their everyday practice.
"This is a really positive news story where by sharing knowledge and collaborating across the profession, we can continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people, the environment and business.”
https://vetsustain.org/
Liberty (pictured) was nominated for her calm and reassuring presence and her ability to make every client feel heard and cared for.
One of her nominators said, “Liberty is the heartbeat of Poplar Vets.
"Her professionalism and empathy set the standard for our whole practice, and her calm, reassuring presence makes every client feel heard, understood and cared for.
"She has an unwavering willingness to go above and beyond, often stepping in without hesitation to keep the practice running smoothly no matter how busy or challenging the day.
"Liberty is the glue that holds our team together and a true hero in every sense of the word.”
Galedin Vets in Galashiels was awarded Reception Team of the Year.
Victoria Cuthbert nominated the reception team at Galedin, describing them as “just phenomenal.”
She explained how, despite some tough times, the team has remained dependable, positive and supportive, always looking after clients and colleagues with a smile.
One team member even gave up her own time to create a beautiful garden space outside the practice where staff can relax and unwind.
Victoria added “They keep everything running smoothly day after day and we’d be lost without them.”
Runners-up for the team award went to the Graylands Cat Clinic team in Horsham and Vets for Pets Chester Caldy.
Runners up for the individual award went to Alicia Armstrong of Vets for Pets Leeds Colton and Sue Gear of Tamar Vets, Bude.
Linda Buckle, Country Brand Manager at KRKA UK said: “Receptionists really are the hub of every practice
“They’re the friendly face clients come to know and trust and the vital link that keeps the whole practice running smoothly. It’s a demanding role that deserves more recognition and these awards are our way of saying thank you for everything they do.”
The winning entries received a trophy for their reception areas and gift vouchers to celebrate their success and hard work.