Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

A day to celebrate for CQ graduates
cq
CQ's annual ceremony celebrates the achievements of its newly graduated veterinary nurses.
Newly qualified veterinary nurses enjoy special ceremony

The latest cohort of veterinary nurses to graduate from Central Qualifications (CQ) celebrated their achievements in style last weekend, attending a special ceremony in central London.

Taking place at Central Hall in Westminster, the ceremony was attended by more than 130 people. Among these were 28 graduates, who each received a badge and scroll.

Guests also enjoyed an inspirational talk from Benjamin Mee, the author of best-selling book We Bought a Zoo.

Benjamin described how he came to be the owner of Dartmoor Zoo after he and his family came across a wildlife park in huge financial difficulties, which could have resulted in the animals being euthanised if a buyer had not been found.

By the following year, Benjamin had saved the animals and managed to re-open the zoo, but he faced many challenges including the return of his wife's brain tumour, which was sadly terminal.

We Bought a Zoo has since been made into a film of the same title and Ben is now a motivational speaker. He gives talks on overcoming life's challenges, encouraging people not to give up.

The annual graduation ceremony was the second to be hosted by CQ. It recognises the achievements of veterinary nurses who have qualified with the awarding body in the previous 12 months.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.