Author Archives: Alison German

2015 CAW VN Consultation Survey: See the results!

Earlier this year, The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) carried out an online survey to gain views on the current veterinary nursing training qualifications that lead to RVN Registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The aim of the survey was to identify what those working with the qualification, and in practice, thinks works well and what needs to be changed. CAW would like to thank everyone who took part; your responses will help us provide feedback to the RCVS and awarding bodies offering the veterinary nursing qualification.

The results are now available and can be found on the College’s website.

– 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 largest 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

2015 CAW VN Consultation Survey: See the results!

Earlier this year, The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) carried out an online survey to gain views on the current veterinary nursing training qualifications that lead to RVN Registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The aim of the survey was to identify what those working with the qualification, and in practice, thinks works well and what needs to be changed. CAW would like to thank everyone who took part; your responses will help us provide feedback to the RCVS and awarding bodies offering the veterinary nursing qualification.

The results are now available and can be found on the CAW website.

International Day of Persons with Disability: 3 December 2015

What is disability?

Disability is a name given to the barriers that exist for some people, because their bodies and minds work differently. We need to remove these barriers so that everyone can be included. Here are some examples of how barriers can be removed:

  • A person who uses a wheelchair may not be able to access a building with steps. Add a ramp to the building and everyone can use the same entrance.
  • Some people learn by reading information, others learn by listening to it, others require pictures or diagrams. When information is presented in more than one way, barriers are removed and everyone has the opportunity to learn.
  • Some people find it difficult to make decisions about things when they are rushed, but can do it more easily when they have support and time to think. Making sure that everyone has time to think and ask questions means that everyone can make decisions about their own lives.

Tips for getting along

People with disability go to school and college, like having fun, and are part of families. You probably know at least one person with disability or maybe you have disability yourself. Remember that we are all different, so not all the following tips will apply to everyone:

  • Just be yourself, say hi and make friends as you would with anyone else.
  • When you talk to a person with disability, face them and talk to them. Their support person, parent or carer is a different person.
  • When you talk to someone who is deaf or has a hearing impairment, make sure they can see your mouth.
  • Always introduce yourself when you are approaching or saying hello to someone with vision impairment.
  • Some people may have plenty to say but need more time to respond in a conversation, so be patient.
  • Do not hold onto a person’s wheelchair or move someone in a wheelchair without their permission, because their wheelchair is part of their personal space.
  • Do not pat or speak to someone’s guide dog or service dog. The dog needs to concentrate when working, so always ask the owner first if it is okay to say ‘hello’ to the dog. If they say no, respect their wishes.
  • When sending an email to a person who is blind, use text rather than pictures.
  • If you are not sure whether someone needs help, just ask.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities draws awareness to persons with disabilities and the problems they are faced with in their everyday lives. It is estimated that persons with disabilities around the world make up 10% of the population, and 80% live in developing countries.

But, even where disability laws are in place, its effectiveness can be held back by negative attitudes towards disabled persons.

Because so many types of disabilities exist, understanding them all individually can be a difficult task. But here is your chance to learn more.

Are you disabled or do you know someone who is? Everyone has different skills, and interests, so why not find a way to celebrate that, whatever it is?

The Paralympics are a great example of how disabled people can show off their talents to the rest of the world. For more information on disability rights and disability aid visit the International Day of Persons with Disabilities website.

The theme for 2015 is “Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”. The aim includes making cities inclusive and accessible for all and including persons with invisible disabilities in society and development.

Send a VN to India: Final Reflections

By Karen Hibell, The College of Animal Welfare

I have heard many times that India is a country of contrast, and more recently from many locals as we were greeted in the street; welcome to ‘God’s own country’. Everyone was interested in how far we had travelled, our thoughts of their country, but more importantly a selfie with our very own Doctor Coe; who was more than obliging.

Hinduism accounts for approximately 50% of the population, with the remaining spread between Christianity and the Muslim faith. This provides the state with a diverse culture, full of tradition and colour.

After a day travelling, I am still not quite sure what hit me first when we arrived from the lush green landscape of Pookode to Thrissur, the 20th largest city in India. Also known as the cultural capital of Kerala. The smells, the sounds of people going about their everyday business in the bus station or the market, the chaotic approach to roundabouts or the incense burning in the hotel. India is a medley that stimulates the senses and the adventurous spirit.

Kerala is beautiful. Bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east; this forested region is amongst the world’s top 10 biodiversity areas. Known also as the Malabar coast, the official language is Malayalam. Its geography has influenced the development of the state within its own microcosm, resulting in Kerala being one of the most developed parts of India.

No day was the same; the diverse range of species and lifestyles resulted in the observation of examinations and treatments of family dogs, street dogs and livestock; dogs, cattle, goats and chickens on the same day. Clinics such as artificial insemination and the early neutering of dogs, separated only by the central courtyard of the hospital. Canine leptospirosis and distemper are common place here, and we saw a number of patients being treated within the hospitals during our stay; after fluid therapy returning home with their owners. Debilitating parasitic conditions, such as Babeosis; a tick-borne protozoan infection incurred a series of daily treatments for the patient.

I travelled to India on a teaching project; little did I know how much I would learn from India and the people I travelled with.

British values student poster competition – Win a Kindle Fire 10!

What are our British values?

We need your help to design a poster to be displayed at our centres and used on our website to help us promote the importance of adhering to the five British values:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

The winning entrant will win a brand new Kindle Fire HD 10!

Kindle Fire HD 10

Your poster should be A4 and created either digitally or by hand and submitted by 31 December 2015. You can email it to marketing@caw.ac.uk, hand in to college, or post to The College of Animal Welfare, Headland House, Chord Business Park, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire PE29 2BQ for the attention of Alison German.

Good luck everyone!

 

Terms and conditions

This is a competition run by The College of Animal Welfare. It is open to anyone who is a current student at The College of Animal Welfare.

Entries

  1. Entry will be open from Wednesday 2 December to Wednesday 31 December 2015.
  2. We reserve the right to end this competition at any point at our discretion.
  3. Entries must be your own work and not subject to copyright (including any images used in the poster).
  4. Entries should include your name and contact details (either within the email or on the back of the poster if drawn by hand).
  5. Digital entries should be submitted as a PDF or image file attached to the email.
  6. One entry per person is permitted.
  7. Poster entries will be retained by The College of Animal Welfare and may be used to promote British values.

The winner and prize

  1. There will be one winner. The winning poster will be decided by the Principal of The College of Animal Welfare.
  2. The winner will be announced the week commencing 4 January 2016.
  3. The winner will receive a Kindle Fire HD 10 16GB.
  4. The prize is non-transferable. There is no cash alternative.

 

There’s still time to train as a veterinary nurse this January!

Are you looking to train as a veterinary nurse? If so, there is no need to wait until next September, you could start your training in January!

The January start programme is run at our Huntingdon, Potters Bar and Leeds centres. To enrol you should be employed in a veterinary practice that is approved to train veterinary nurses, a Training Practice (TP) or Auxiliary Training Practice (aTP), and have a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C or above in Maths, English Language and Science (or acceptable equivalent qualifications).

If you are 16-18 years of age at the start of the programme you could be eligible for full funding if undertaking the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing as part of an Advanced Apprenticeship. And for those 19 and over we offer the option of paying for your course on a monthly direct debit basis.

Visit our website to find out more about training to become a veterinary nurse or call us on 01480 422060.

College Students Recognised at Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Students from The College of Animal Welfare and CAW Business School had their hard work and achievements recognised at the College’s annual Students Awards Ceremony on Saturday 28 November.

The Awards Ceremony was a celebration of achievements that students have made during the past year, not only at the College’s Godmanchester centre but also at its other centres in Potters Bar, Leeds and Edinburgh, as well as students who are learning in their work place all over the country.

Each student who received an award had worked hard to reach a high standard and, in some cases, overcome personal challenges.

Barbara Cooper, Principal of The College of Animal Welfare, said: ‘The Awards Ceremony is one of the biggest highlights of our year. All of the award winners have worked really hard and thoroughly deserve this recognition’. She continued ‘I would like to congratulate all of our award winners and wish them every success for the future’.

The award winners were presented with a commemorative trophy during the ceremony at the College’s centre in Chord Business Park on London Road in Godmanchester.

College Students Recognised at Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Students from The College of Animal Welfare and CAW Business School had their hard work and achievements recognised at the College’s annual Students Awards Ceremony on Saturday 28 November.

The Awards Ceremony was a celebration of achievements that students have made during the past year, not only at the College’s Godmanchester centre but also at its other centres in Potters Bar, Leeds and Edinburgh, as well as students who are learning in their work place all over the country.

Each student who received an award had worked hard to reach a high standard and, in some cases, overcome personal challenges.

Barbara Cooper, Principal of The College of Animal Welfare, said: ‘The Awards Ceremony is one of the biggest highlights of our year. All of the award winners have worked really hard and thoroughly deserve this recognition’. She continued ‘I would like to congratulate all of our award winners and wish them every success for the future’.

The award winners were presented with a commemorative trophy during the ceremony at the College’s centre in Chord Business Park on London Road in Godmanchester.

College Students Recognised at Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Some of the winners at The College of Animal Welfare Student Awards Ceremony

Students from The College of Animal Welfare and CAW Business School in Godmanchester had their hard work and achievements recognised at the College’s annual Students Awards Ceremony on Saturday 28 November.

The Awards Ceremony was a celebration of achievements that students have made during the past year, not only at the College’s Godmanchester centre but also at its other centres in Potters Bar, Leeds and Edinburgh, as well as students who are learning in their work place all over the country.

Each student who received an award had worked hard to reach a high standard and, in some cases, overcome personal challenges.

Barbara Cooper, Principal of The College of Animal Welfare, said: ‘The Awards Ceremony is one of the biggest highlights of our year. All of the award winners have worked really hard and thoroughly deserve this recognition’. She continued ‘I would like to congratulate all of our award winners and wish them every success for the future’.

The award winners were presented with a commemorative trophy during the ceremony at the College’s centre in Chord Business Park on London Road in Godmanchester.

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German VN
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

Send a VN to India: Differing perspectives

By Karen Hibell, The College of Animal Welfare

Time in India certainly opens the eyes and provides the opportunity to gain a greater awareness of different perspectives, if you remain open to listening and learning.

What could be viewed as a standard approach in the UK has led to many clinical discussions and teaching sessions to share skills and thoughts based upon clinical decision making and animal welfare. It would be fair to say that both sides have been enlightened by one another’s viewpoint.

Two examples that are commonly encountered are amputation and euthanasia as treatment options; or not as the case may be. Both procedures deeply embedded within religion, culture and law, but also the reputation of the university within the local communities. These two procedures may be considered as first line treatment options within western society and UK clinical practice; however this is not necessarily the case in India. With these being considered for critically ill patients, after all other avenues have been explored in some cases.

The direct input from the veterinary staff (clinicians and veterinary students; the future of the profession) here in Kerala only highlights some of the many issues that are faced within this beautiful country.