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Improve International awards Louise O'Dwyer Scholarship 2022
"I hope to be able to continue Louise's legacy by inspiring other veterinary nurses to follow their own aspirations at any stage of their career" - Claire Thomas.

Claire Thomas RVN 'honoured and excited' for the opportunity. 

The winner of the Louise O'Dwyer Scholarship for 2022 has been announced as Claire Thomas RVN.

Claire, who works at Dick White Referrals, will study Emergency and Critical Care, and will be awarded a Nurse Certificate (NCert) by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).

The scholarship is given in memory of Louise O'Dwyer, a much-loved and highly respected and awarded veterinary nurse, who died in 2019. 

Louise was passionate about Emergency and Critical Care (ECC), and lectured on the topic at courses and congresses around the world, as well as on Improve International's ISVPS NCert ECC training course. 

With over twenty years' experience in general practice, Claire made the decision to become an ECC nurse and follow her passion to care for critically ill patients.

Dr Charlotte French, of Improve International, said: “We are delighted to award the Louise O’Dwyer Scholarship to Claire and excited to see her bring her passion and ambition to our ISVPS NCert Emergency and Critical Care training programme. 

“We believe she will excel in this discipline and inspire other vet nurses to advance their own skills and confidence in this vital area of veterinary medicine. Many congratulations.”

Claire commented on her successful application: “I am truly honoured and excited to have been chosen for the Louise O’Dwyer Legacy Scholarship for 2022. Thank you to Louise’s family and Improve International for this amazing opportunity. 

“Louise was an inspirational nurse who always promoted autonomy within the profession and encouraged nurses to follow their own interests in a specialist field. I hope to be able to continue Louise’s legacy by inspiring other nurses to follow their own aspirations at any stage of their career.

“I hope to use this scholarship to further my knowledge and develop practical skills to enhance my role as an ECC nurse and provide the best clinical care to critically ill patients.”

 

Image (C) Improve International

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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.