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BVNA launches mental health toolkit
Veterinary nurses are invited to share their own mental health stories as part of the toolkit. 
Resources for vet nurses include webinars and personal stories.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has launched a free mental health toolkit for veterinary nurses.

The toolkit features a range of materials which promote mental wellbeing, including webinars, personal mental health stories, and signposting towards sources of help and support. Topics covered include the importance of sleep, practising self-compassion, and resilience.

The development of the toolkit has been led by the BVNA council’s mental health and wellbeing working group. It plans to add additional resources over time and would welcome content from any veterinary nurses, employers and groups who want to share their stories, case studies, or mental health and wellbeing policies.

Rebecca Winter, BVNA council member and mental health and wellbeing team co-ordinator, said: “I am delighted that BVNA has led the development of this toolkit, as an easy-to-access resource available to the entire veterinary nursing profession.

“Whilst we know that a career as a veterinary nurse is incredibly rewarding, we also know that the veterinary workplace can be demanding and can result in challenges to our mental health. Not only will the resources presented in this toolkit be of benefit to individuals, it will also provide guidance to employers and colleagues of those affected by their mental health.

“We hope that this toolkit will help those individuals to feel as though they are not alone, and to feel confident to ask for any support they may need to help them to thrive in our profession.”

The toolkit can be accessed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.