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Veterinary nurse honoured for exceptional achievement
Louise O'Dwyer
Louise O’Dwyer received the award in honour of her pioneering role in veterinary nursing.

Bestowed with the RCVS Golden Jubilee Award
 
A veterinary nurse from Wigan has been crowned winner of the RCVS Golden Jubilee Award - an honour presented to one veterinary nurse each year in recognition of exceptional achievement.

Louise O’Dwyer received the award in honour of her pioneering role in veterinary nursing, acting as the first veterinary nurse clinical director within the CVS Group and the first UK veterinary nurse to be voted on to the US-based Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technician’s Board.

Miss O’Dwyer has also lectured across the globe and volunteered for several years at the Bella Moss Foundation, worked on a variety of BSAVA Committees, contributed to over 35 journal and magazine articles, and written three nursing textbooks.

Fellow veterinary nurse Kathryn Latimer, who nominated Louise for the award, said: “I feel Louise is a shining example of everything the Golden Jubilee Award encompasses – she has demonstrated exception abilities as a leader, not only to veterinary nurses, but to veterinary surgeons... [and] has demonstrated personal commitment to her personal education, and therefore to patient care, by pursuing a remarkable range of qualifications.”
 
Miss O’Dwyer says: “Nursing is about making your mark, about being there for your patients, and for me that’s what my career has been about. It’s a bit of a cliché, but we really are the voice of our patients, and so when people ask me ‘why do you spend so much time with getting extra qualifications?’, it’s really about making sure I’m better able to help my patients.
 
“As I get older it’s also about educating the next generation of veterinary nurses, helping to train them to do the same and to spread our knowledge and training. Our training is something British vet nurses can really be proud of, and it’s humbling to receive this Award when I know just how many other dedicated, passionate vet nurses are out there, but I am truly grateful that the RCVS, and my colleagues, think that I am a worthy recipient.”

The Golden Jubilee Award relaunched in 2015 to make it more leadership-focused and exclusive to veterinary nurses. It is awarded to members of the profession that actively demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment to veterinary nursing and play an ambassadorial role.

Miss O’Dwyer will be presented with the Golden Jubilee Award at RCVS Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Day - on Friday 15 July.

Image (C) RCVS/Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.