Vote for your favourite veterinary nurse

PRESS RELEASE

17 May 2010

Vote for your favourite veterinary nurse

The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity, is calling for nominations from veterinary practices across the country for its Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award 2010.

The annual award is presented at the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Annual Congress.  It recognises the contribution of veterinary nurses in educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the welfare of pets in the community.  This year’s Congress will take place on 8 - 10 October at the Kettering Conference Centre, Northamptonshire.

Last year’s award was won by Vania Brasseleur for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare, both within her veterinary practice and among the local community in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire

Vania was nominated for the award by student vet nurse and colleague Emily Martin at Astonlee veterinary hospital in Newport Pagnell.

Ms Martin said: ”Vania is committed to helping student nurses broaden their knowledge and help them on to the path to qualification. Her charity work, serving the public, helping colleagues and of course her nursing abilities are all truly fantastic! I don’t think anybody could ask for a better nurse.” 

Nominations for this year’s award can be made by completing the nomination form on The Blue Cross website at: www.bluecross.org.uk/BVNA2010 or by contacting Sally Leathem on 01993 825577. The deadline for nominations is Friday 20 August 2010.

The Blue Cross has taken the lead in animal care for over a hundred years. Its four animal hospitals provide a lifeline for pet owners on low incomes.  Its community vet services also cater for elderly and disabled people. Without the charity’s hospitals, and the services they provide, many people would be without the benefits that pet ownership can bring.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Image available, please contact the press office. (caption: - Christian Bamber, Blue Cross director of service delivery; Vania Brasseleur veterinary nurse of the year 2009; Mark Carwardine, zoologist and presenter of the BBC2 series ‘Last chance to see’ and Bonny Millar, BVNA President.
• The Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse Award is given each year to a veterinary nurse who has excelled in educating the public about pet welfare. The Blue Cross first presented this award in 1999.
• The Blue Cross operates four animal hospitals in Victoria, Hammersmith and Merton (London) and Grimsby (Lincolnshire).  Its flagship hospital in Victoria is believed to be the first of its kind in the world to open in 1906.  It has never once closed its doors in over 100 years.
• The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.  For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

Media contact

Louise Lee, Press Officer, 020 7932 4066 or louise.lee@bluecross.org.uk