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

Nominations open for International Canine Health Awards 2021
The awards are organised by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Awards recognise individuals dedicated to the improvement of dog health through science. 

Nominations are now open for the International Canine Health Awards 2021.

Now in its ninth year, the prestigious awards recognise and celebrate some of the world's finest researchers, veterinary surgeons and students dedicated to the improvement of dog health through science. 

Organised by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT), the awards include substantial monetary prizes donated by the founders of Metro Bank.

The four awards are:

  • International Prize in Canine Health – for outstanding contributions in the field of canine health and welfare, with a prize of £40,000 towards future projects. 
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – with a £10,000 prize, this award will go to a veterinarian or scientist working in a related discipline, who has dedicated much of their career to advancing the health and welfare of dogs. 
  • UK Student Inspiration Awards – these comprise postgraduate and undergraduate awards, with prizes of £10,000 and £5,000 respectively to aid further education costs, the development of their careers, or the creation/continuation of a project. 
  • UK Breed Health Coordinator Award – with a £5,000 prize, judges will be looking for individuals from UK Kennel Club breed clubs or councils who have demonstrated a dedication to supporting health and welfare within their breed over the previous year. 
     
“The International Canine Health Awards recognise and commend the commitment shown by researchers, veterinarians, and students dedicated to the improvement of dog health through science,” commented Dr Andrew Higgins, chairman of the judging panel and Kennel Club Charitable Trust. 

“We are also delighted to recognise the amazing work of our UK breed health coordinators who do such a good job supporting health and welfare programmes within breeds.”

The winner of last year's International Award was Professor Dr Tosso Leeb, who was recognised for his expertise in veterinary molecular genetics, leading to the formation of a world-class canine genetics research program in Bern, Switzerland. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Professor Dr Urs Giger for his work spanning four decades dedicated to the study of clinical haematology in dogs, hereditary diseases and transfusions medicine.

To submit a nomination, visit the Kennel Club Charitable Trust website and fill in the application form by 31 Jan 2021. Individuals are encouraged to nominate their colleagues worldwide for the International and Lifetime awards, but they may also nominate themselves. 

The award ceremony will take place in May/June 2021, but owing to the current COVID-19 situation a date and venue is not yet confirmed.

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.