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Northern Ireland VN of the Year
Claire McConaghy wins the 2011 VN award

The British Veterinary Nursing Association and Hill’s Pet Nutrition were delighted to award Claire McConaghy of Firmount Veterinary Clinic in Antrim, the Northern Ireland VN of the Year 2011.
 
Claire, who received a fantastic 12 nominations from clients and colleagues, was awarded a trophy and £250 gift voucher. Gemma Snodgrass of Parkview Veterinary Clinic in Strabane was awarded Animal Nursing Assistant of the Year and Mairead Mulvenna of Balmoral Veterinary Clinic in Belfast, Trainee Veterinary Nurse of the Year.  Both Gemma and Mairead received a £100 gift voucher along with their award trophy.
 
Paula Quinn RVN MBVNA, Northern Ireland Regional Co-ordinator of the BVNA commented, “It’s so heartening to hear about these exceptional individuals, year after year.  The quality of entries never diminishes and it is wonderful to be able to recognise the efforts of these unsung heroes in such a public way.”  Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Susie Turner thanked everyone who took the time to complete a nomination, “I rarely get through reading all the entries without developing a lump in my throat and feeling hugely proud to be associated with the veterinary nursing community. Our warmest congratulations go to the winners, well done!”

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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.