Author Archives: Alison German

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

This gives us the opportunity to create space in our own minds to respond in new ways to situations and to make wise decisions. When we embrace mindfulness and make it a part of our daily lives we learn to work with our minds and bodies, which in turn can lead to less anxiety and decreased stress levels.

Mindfulness practices are not new – they have Buddhist origins and have been around for thousands of years.  It is recognised that it can improve students’ wellbeing and help them to deal with situations such as exam stress, bullying or just for those seeking to enhance their own study skills by helping them to learn and to improve their concentration.

Further reading on mindfulness can be found on BeMindful.co.uk or there are plenty of books that have been written on the subject that would be available from libraries.

Border Collie Puppy Being Microchipped

New Microchipping Regulations: Who can implant microchips?

From 6 April 2016, it will be a legal requirement for all dogs over eight weeks of age in England, Wales and Scotland to be microchipped – unless exempt (the microchipping of dogs in Northern Ireland has been mandatory since 2012).

Who can implant a microchip into a dog?

In order to implant a microchip into a dog, the person must meet the criteria of at least one of the following:

  1. a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
  2. a student of veterinary surgery or a student veterinary nurse and in either case acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
  3. have been satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the Secretary of State (England), Scottish Ministers (Scotland), Welsh Ministers (Wales) for that purpose
  4. before the 24 February 2015, they received training on implantation which included practical experience of implanting a microchip.

The new regulations, therefore, may affect a number of people who may be implanting microchips into dogs and may be unable to continue to do so without further training. These could include those working in rescue centres, dog breeders, veterinary care assistants and veterinary nurses microchipping animals whilst not under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.

For those who need to attend a training programme, The College of Animal Welfare is now offering the VetSkill Level 3 Award in Implantation of Identification Microchips in Animals qualification. This approved qualification complies with the new legal requirements for England and Wales. The course can be studied by either online learning or by attendance at a study weekend, followed by a practical assessment day for all candidates.  Successful completion of the qualification will allow delegates to join the VetSkill Register of Qualified Microchip Implanters.

To find our more, or to apply for the course, visit The College of Animal Welfare website.

Campus Vets and Pets Logo

The College of Animal Welfare Opens New Pet Care Centre in Tingley

Mischa, Siberian Husly

Mischa, Siberian Husky who was the first dog to be groomed at Campus Vets and Pets on Friday 18 March 2016.

Campus Vets and Pets, a new pet care centre bringing affordable pet care and job opportunities to the local area, is now open in Tingley.

The new centre, located just off of Junction 28 of the M62 on the former Mypetstop site in Capitol Park, is the latest venture of The College of Animal Welfare.  Campus Vets and Pets will eventually host a state-of the art dog grooming centre, veterinary practice, boarding kennels and cattery, animal physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dog training classes. The first of these facilities to open is the new dog grooming salon which is now open for appointments.

Leslie Heaton-Smith, Director at The College of Animal Welfare, said “We were delighted to have had the opportunity to purchase this unique building in 2015 and are very much looking forward to creating a new animal welfare and training hub that will combine exceptional, modern pet care facilities, along with training and job opportunities to the local community”.

To celebrate the launch of the new dog grooming salon, we are offering new clients the opportunity to have their dog’s first groom completely free of charge! This amazing offer is available on a first come, first served basis. To book an appointment please call us on 0113 4678 651 (Monday to Friday).

For more information on Campus Vets and Pets please visit www.campusvetsandpets.co.uk

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Marketing Executive
The College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
Email: agerman@caw.ac.uk
www.caw.ac.uk / www.campusvetsandpets.co.uk

Notes to editors:
Campus Vets and Pets is a new pet care centre in Tingley, owned by The College of Animal Welfare.

Campus Vets and Pets, will host a range of pet care services including a state-of the art dog grooming centre, veterinary practice, boarding kennels and cattery, animal physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dog training classes. The grooming centre is the first of these services to open (March 2016).

The College of Animal Welfare is one of the UK’s leading providers of veterinary nurse and animal care training and education; operating from four training centres around the UK. It has a hard-earned reputation for excellence and has created a number of unique achievements that have created new opportunities for learning.

For more information about Campus Vets and Pets please visit www.campusvetsandpets.co.uk

Campus Vets and Pets Logo

The College of Animal Welfare Opens New Pet Care Centre in Tingley

Mischa, Siberian Husly

Mischa, Siberian Husky who was the first dog to be groomed at Campus Vets and Pets on Friday 18 March 2016.

Campus Vets and Pets, a new pet care centre bringing affordable pet care and job opportunities to the local area, is now open in Tingley.

The new centre, located just off of Junction 28 of the M62 on the former Mypetstop site in Capitol Park, is the latest venture of The College of Animal Welfare.  Campus Vets and Pets will eventually host a state-of the art dog grooming centre, veterinary practice, boarding kennels and cattery, animal physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dog training classes. The first of these facilities to open is the new dog grooming salon which is now open for appointments.

Leslie Heaton-Smith, Director at The College of Animal Welfare, said “We were delighted to have had the opportunity to purchase this unique building in 2015 and are very much looking forward to creating a new animal welfare and training hub that will combine exceptional, modern pet care facilities, along with training and job opportunities to the local community”.

To celebrate the launch of the new dog grooming salon, we are offering new clients the opportunity to have their dog’s first groom completely free of charge! This amazing offer is available on a first come, first served basis. To book an appointment please call us on 0113 4678 651 (Monday to Friday).

For more information on Campus Vets and Pets please visit www.campusvetsandpets.co.uk

Campus Vets and Pets Logo

The College of Animal Welfare Opens New Pet Care Centre in Tingley

Mischa, Siberian Husly

Mischa, Siberian Husky who was the first dog to be groomed at Campus Vets and Pets on Friday 18 March 2016.

Campus Vets and Pets, a new pet care centre bringing affordable pet care and job opportunities to the local area, is now open in Tingley.

The new centre, located just off of Junction 28 of the M62 on the former Mypetstop site in Capitol Park, is the latest venture of The College of Animal Welfare.  Campus Vets and Pets will eventually host a state-of the art dog grooming centre, veterinary practice, boarding kennels and cattery, animal physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dog training classes. The first of these facilities to open is the new dog grooming salon which is now open for appointments.

Leslie Heaton-Smith, Director at The College of Animal Welfare, said “We were delighted to have had the opportunity to purchase this unique building in 2015 and are very much looking forward to creating a new animal welfare and training hub that will combine exceptional, modern pet care facilities, along with training and job opportunities to the local community”.

To celebrate the launch of the new dog grooming salon, we are offering new clients the opportunity to have their dog’s first groom completely free of charge! This amazing offer is available on a first come, first served basis. To book an appointment please call us on 0113 4678 651 (Monday to Friday).

For more information on Campus Vets and Pets please visit www.campusvetsandpets.co.uk

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Laughter

Laughter therapy, and laughter itself, can boost your health and positive thinking and can have very beneficial effect s your body too.  It has been shown to lead to reductions in stress hormones and when we laugh, the brain releases endorphins that can relieve some physical pain symptoms.

These physiological and psychological benefits give people a fresh approach to life and are very energising.

Furthermore, laughter yoga (hasyayoga) is now a popular activity, which has just celebrated 20 years in 2015 (it began in Mumbai in 1995) and is based on the principal that your body does not know the difference between fake and genuine laughter. Also, in most cases, fake laughter usually becomes real. It is recognised by the medical and scientific world as having huge benefits and enhances people’s wellbeing.

According to Laughter Yoga International, The first Sunday in May is now recognised as World Laughter Day and is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter.

The College of Animal Welfare Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

The College of Animal Welfare has been rated as ‘Good’ across the board following its recent Ofsted inspection.

This is the first inspection the College has been through since the new, more stringent, inspection framework was introduced in September 2015.

Barbara Cooper, College Principal, commented “We are delighted to have received a solid ‘Good’ grade across all areas. This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted that the report reflects the true ethos of the College and the dedication and hard work of our partners, staff, learners and employers”.

The College was particularly praised for the very large proportion of learners on adult programmes who achieve qualifications, and its teachers who have very good knowledge of the subjects they teach; ensuring learners are motivated and inspired. It was also noted that learners’ standard of work often exceeds what is required of them and that they develop high professional standards. The College’s business school was also mentioned, noting that apprentices in business administration and accounting make excellent progress and their achievement is very good.

The inspectors specifically commended the College’s excellent online learning resources which help learners to continue their learning at times that suit them.

Barbara Cooper added “The inspectors also identified that, at The College of Animal Welfare, an exceptionally large proportion of our learners gain employment in the field of their qualification”.

To read the College’s Ofsted report in full visit www.caw.ac.uk/ofsted.

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Marketing Executive
The College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
Email: agerman@caw.ac.uk

Notes to editors:
The College of Animal Welfare is one of the UK’s leading providers of veterinary nurse and animal care training and education; operating from four training centres around the UK.

The College has a well-earned reputation for excellence and has created a number of unique achievements that have created new opportunities for learning.

For more information about The College of Animal Welfare please visit www.caw.ac.uk

The College of Animal Welfare Rated ‘Good’ By Ofsted

The College of Animal Welfare has been rated as ‘Good’ across the board following its recent Ofsted inspection.

This is the first inspection the College has been through since the new, more stringent, inspection framework was introduced in September 2015.

Barbara Cooper, College Principal, commented “We are delighted to have received a solid ‘Good’ grade across all areas. This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted that the report reflects the true ethos of the College and the dedication and hard work of our partners, staff, learners and employers”.

The College was particularly praised for the very large proportion of learners on adult programmes who achieve qualifications, and its teachers who have very good knowledge of the subjects they teach; ensuring learners are motivated and inspired. It was also noted that learners’ standard of work often exceeds what is required of them and that they develop high professional standards. The College’s business school was also mentioned, noting that apprentices in business administration and accounting make excellent progress and their achievement is very good.

The inspectors specifically commended the College’s excellent online learning resources which help learners to continue their learning at times that suit them.

Barbara Cooper added “The inspectors also identified that, at The College of Animal Welfare, an exceptionally large proportion of our learners gain employment in the field of their qualification”.

To read the College’s Ofsted report in full visit www.caw.ac.uk/ofsted.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Get motivated!

If you want to stay motivated to get fit, why not train with a friend or in a group.  You will all push each other to succeed, and you will also be more likely to do your chosen activity on a day when you might be lacking in motivation.

Perhaps do regular short bursts of exercise rather than commit to longer more daunting sessions which might become a chore and will be easier to put off if you have a busy schedule.

With the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio fast approaching, we will all start to feel more inspired by Sport (as was evident during the London Games in 2012). Over the 17 days (5th -21st August) there will be 10,500 athletes from 206 countries; 42 sports will be contested (including golf and rugby for the first time in around a century).  The Olympic motto is ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’.   So, what better time to achieve your own goals and dreams!

TP Congress Delegates

New Venue for TP Congress a Big Hit!

TP Congress, the annual event dedicated solely to clinical coaches in veterinary practice, held on the 29 February and 1 March 2016, saw over 100 attendees come together to hear the latest news and views on veterinary nurse training.

This year TP Congress moved to the beautiful Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, providing onsite accommodation for delegates who had travelled some distance to attend. The move to Whittlebury Hall provided the perfect opportunity to expand the commercial exhibition and hold a cocktails and canapes reception on the first evening. These new additions were very well received and allowed delegates further opportunity to network and share experiences with fellow clinical coaches.

The enthusiasm of all who attended was evident and it was clear from the feedback that delegates left with renewed motivation and lots of ideas that they could take away and put into practise. One delegate summed up the event well by stating that they ‘have come for the last three years and it keeps getting better and better!”

Barbara Cooper, Principal of The College of Animal Welfare and Chairman of TP Congress, said “It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic clinical coaches who are dedicated to training the next generation of veterinary nurses all come together under one roof. With the continuing nationwide shortage of qualified nursing staff, it really is up to training providers and practices to work together. Through collaborative working we can provide the training opportunities that are so desperately needed to ensure that registered veterinary nurses are available to every practice”.

Plans are already underway for TP Congress 2017 and the date will be announced shortly. In the meantime you can register your interest at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc.