BVNA Congress 2013 kicks off
James Yeates, RSPCA chief veterinary officer
The 40th BVNA Congress kicked off this morning in Telford with a keynote speech on the value of veterinary nurses, given by the RSPCA's chief veterinary officer (CVO), James Yeates.
Speaking at this year's venue, the International Centre, Dr Yeates hailed veterinary nurses as being a key part of the "wider movement to improve animal welfare", focusing particularly on empathy and the power of nurses within veterinary practice.
Acting as the "empathetic eyes" within the practice, Dr Yeates said that nurses are well placed to offer "bespoke care for the individual animal", recognising not only the health impacts that treatment may be having on a patient, but additional factors such as stress.
It is this ability, he continued, which allows nurses to build up a rapport with clients, offering personal advice with an understanding of the owner's perspective.
In his experience as CVO at the RSPCA, Dr Yeates says clients are often more willing to disclose information to a veterinary nurse in cases of domestic abuse, where either the client, their pet or child is a victim of violence.
Following Dr Yeates' keynote speech, BVNA president Louisa Baker presented him with a donation for the RSPCA, and the awards ceremony began. Veterinary nurses were honoured with seven different awards for outstanding contributions to the profession.
Sarah Reed was welcomed to the stage as Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year, having been nominated by two clients for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Receiving the Merial Literary Award was Caroline Calder and three honorary memberships were given out to Sue Badger, Julian Hoad and Ann McBride.
Welcoming former BVNA president Sue Badger to the stage, junior vice-president of the BVNA, Kirstie Shield, called it "an honour to be part of a profession that continues to be positively influenced by her."
This year's lecture and workshop programme covers a variety of fascinating topics, with some already fully booked. The exhibition hall opened officially this afternoon to crowds of veterinary nurses heading to see the range of leading providers to the veterinary industry.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
