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International Canine Health Awards nominations open
Dr Maura Lyons won the 2023 Breed Health Co-ordinator Award for her work with Irish wolfhounds.
The awards recognise excellence in canine research, health and welfare.

Nominations have opened for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust's International Canine Health Awards 2024, which recognise veterinary professionals, scientists, researchers and students that work to help dogs’ health and welfare.

The awards are separated into five different accolades, each celebrating achievement in canine research, health and welfare, with a total prize fund of over $180,000.

The entries are open for nominees which represent the values of the awards, and can show how their work advances canine health and welfare. Individuals can nominate themselves or a colleague before the deadline on 31 January 2024.

Nominations will be reviewed by an international and independent panel of judges, with expertise from a range of different research sectors. This year will see a focus on applications which demonstrate a commitment to One Health approaches that benefit humans and dogs.

Among the awards is the Alan Kelly International Award, which will recognise the work of an individual who has been involved with world-class innovation in canine health and welfare, and still has more to contribute. The recipient will be awarded $100,000 towards their future projects.

The award is named in tribute to the late Dr Alan Kelly, who was a prominent figure in the veterinary sector, and was the first chair of the International Canine Health Awards panel.

The other awards are:
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – a $50,000 award for a veterinary professional or scientist, who is retired or in the later stages of their career, who has made a lifetime, international impact on canine welfare
  • Two Student Inspiration Awards – the Postgraduate ($20,000) and Undergraduate ($10,000) awards support veterinary students who display potential to advance the progress of canine veterinary medicine or research
  • UK Breed Health Co-ordinator Award – a £5,000 prize for individuals from UK Kennel Club breed clubs or councils who show dedication to the health and welfare of their breed this year

Dr Andrew Higgins, chairman of the International Canine Health Awards Panel, said: “We are proud to be opening nominations for the prestigious International Canine Health awards once again. The incredible support by the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation, which saw the award prize money doubled last year, has enabled these awards to run for over a decade and make truly pioneering changes in canine health and research across the world.

“As one of the largest veterinary awards in the world, the standard of nominations is always incredibly high and our winners demonstrate the highest level of excellence and dedication to improving canine health.”

For more details or to make a nomination, visit their website.

Image © International Canine Health Awards

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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.