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Raising awareness of veterinary careers
Image: Countryfile
The stand was transformed into a 'make-believe' veterinary practice

College attends BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace

Staff from the RCVS talked to members of the public attending the event about veterinary careers, the Find a Vet search tool, the Practice Standards Scheme, and roles within a veterinary practice.
 
The stand was transformed into a ‘make-believe’ veterinary practice with activities for both children and adults, including a number of surgical models for prospective young veterinary surgeons to ‘operate’ on and a model dog on which future veterinary nurses could practice their bandaging skills.
 
There was also a game – ‘Who’s who in your vet practice?’ – to help explain to show-goers the different roles within a typical veterinary practice team, including animal care assistants, veterinary nurses, advanced practitioners and RCVS specialists.
 
Over the four days, College staff, along with RCVS and VN Council members – including RCVS president, Stephen May, handed out about 1,500 canvas bags to the public, all of which included information about the Find a Vet search tool, ‘Who’s who’ leaflets describing the different roles in a veterinary practice, and Practice Standards Scheme bookmarks.
 
Ian Holloway, head of communications at the RCVS, said: “Events such as BBC Countryfile Live and the National Pet Show present us with a great opportunity to meet members of the animal-owning public, chat to them about our role and the services we provide, and explain more about the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions.

“People seemed reassured to hear about the Practice Standards Scheme, and particularly interested in our Find a Vet service, so I would urge practices to ensure their details are up to date online.”

Photo (C) RCVS

 

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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
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.