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Duo to embark on 50km hike for Vetlife
“This 50km challenge is a way for me to contribute further and support the incredible work Vetlife does" – Kay Watson-Bray.
The pair aim to raise £2,500 with their trek across Dartmoor.

Two women from the veterinary community are set to tackle a 50km hike to raise money for Vetlife.

Kay Watson-Bray, CEO of the British Veterinary Receptionist Association, and Michelle Gratton, donor relations manager at Vetlife, will be crossing the open moorland and river valleys of Dartmoor as they aim to raise £2,500 for the charity.

The landscape will present a number of challenges, from steep granite tors to soggy peat bogs, and the duo will also have to contend with Dartmoor’s unpredictable weather.

Explaining her motivation, Ms Watson-Bray said: “After participating in Active October last year for Vetlife, I felt inspired to do more. This 50km challenge is a way for me to contribute further and support the incredible work Vetlife does. I also want to raise awareness that Vetlife is there to support all the veterinary team.”

Vetlife provides mental health and financial support to the veterinary community. The Vetlife Helpline offers confidential support by phone or email 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service can be called on 0303 040 2551 and emailed anonymously via the Vetlife website.

Ms Gratton said: “The Vetlife Helpline is busier than ever, handling an average of 11 contacts per day from people seeking support.

“I’m taking on this challenge to help ensure that Vetlife can continue providing vital assistance through its three key services: Helpline, Health Support, and Financial Support."

Donations can be made on the pair’s JustGiving page.

Image © Vetlife

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 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.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.