The winners of this year's Veterinary Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed.
Run by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the beloved photography competition attracts hundreds of entries each year, and is an opportunity for veterinary surgeons to display their creative talents.
Justine Shotton, president of the BVA, commented on the quality of the entries, and congratulated the winners: “As always we have been absolutely delighted by the high quality of the images we have received as entries for the annual competition.
“Congratulations to all of the winners and highly commended; we wish we could have selected more images as so many deserved a special mention and we thank everyone for entering their stunning photos.”
Sustainable futures
The 'Sustainable futures' category was won by Laura Caballero with a photograph titled 'Decisions'. The photograph shows a fish held in the air by two grasped hands, while a chimney in the background bellows smoke into the air.
Laura, who is passionate about photography, commented on her achievement: “I'm really happy that my photo has been recognised because that means it can transmit and create reflection about the future we want to create or avoid.
“As veterinarians, we have a key role to work for a sustainable future: how we stay in the world, what we buy, what we eat and how we produce it. Each decision has an impact in the world where we live.”
After qualifying from the University Complutense of Madrid, Laura worked in an animal shelter and spay-neuter clinic in Spain for a number of years. Alongside this, Laura has undertaken several veterinary projects worldwide, including in Nepal, Cambodia and Botswana, before undertaking her Surgery PgCert in Newcastle
All creatures great and small
Discussing his winning photograph, Peter said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The light was fantastic that warm day. A Minke whale had just surfaced, the glacier ice was groaning and creaking.
“We were ushered up the beach for fear of the ice caving and causing a tsunami in the narrow cove. That gave me a fantastic silhouetted shot of the penguin.
“The interactions between wildlife and the humans were stunning and best seen from a kayak. The penguin looked at the ship with apparent bewilderment and wonder!”
Peter graduated in 1983 from Bristol, and worked in practice for 38 years. He has now retired from clinical practice in order to concentrate more on consultancy in leadership and in continued support for Johne's disease control.
A heartwarming image of general practice vet Bob Lehner and his pet chicken, Hopalong Cassidy sharing a book together won the 'Happy pets that make us smile' category.
Bob, whose photograph is wittily titled 'Chick lit', is a semi-retired GP vet who lives near Bude on the Cornwall coast.
Commenting on his award, Bob said: “I was delighted that the photograph of my pet chicken Hopalong Cassidy enjoying some quality leisure time with myself was deemed worthy of a prize.
“She was an ex-battery rescue and arrived with a badly broken leg. We nursed her back to health and she became very bonded with us.”
Highly commended - Sustainable futures
'Collision of Worlds' - Robyn Geddes
'Dragonfly' - Charlotte Clough
Highly commended - All creatures great and small
'On the prowl' - Jasvinder Kaur
'First steps' - Nestor Moreno Casanov
Highly commended - Happy pets that make us smile
'With a spring in your step' - Laura Keyse
'Sweet summer bliss' - Savannah Armstrong
RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.
